Capital Innovation Summit | GEW Sacramento 2026
Growing from Within
Part of Global Entrepreneurship Week Sacramento · Powered by Western Health
Monday, November 16, 2026 · 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Sacramento State · University Library, Room 1520
One day. One room. The people building the Capital Region's next companies.
Global Entrepreneurship Week is back November 13–22, and Monday is the main stage. The Capital Innovation Summit pulls founders, engineers, researchers, investors, and the people who back them into the Carlsen Center for a day of building, pitching, and straight talk about where AI, biotech, and advanced manufacturing are headed here — then rolls straight into the 8th Annual Sacramento Entrepreneurial State of the Union.
Who should be here
Founders and early-stage teams. Engineers and researchers working in AI, robotics, biotech, and manufacturing. Investors. Students who want to build. The partners, economic developers, and civic leaders who make it possible. If you're building something in the Capital Region, or betting on someone who is, this is your day.
The day
Morning · Building Toward Your AI Chief of Staff: Start with a Second Brain (9:30–11:30 AM)
Every leader starts the day with too much to track: email, meeting notes, documents, and half-finished to-dos spread across a dozen places. An AI chief of staff could pull that together and hand you a plan each morning, but it only works if it has something to draw from. In this hands-on workshop, Josh Thacker of Searcher OS shows you how to build that foundation.
You’ll set up a second brain, a single place that takes in your notes, documents, and other content and keeps it organized and ready for AI to use. From there, you’ll take the first steps toward a chief-of-staff agent for your life, your business, or your organization, and see it produce an early version of a daily memo on how to approach your day.
This session is for executives, founders, team leads, and anyone who wants practical AI they’ll actually use. No technical background required. Bring a laptop. You’ll leave with a working second brain and a clear path to finishing your chief of staff.
Noon · Lunch Pitches
This weekend's Startup Challenge winners and a few Innovation Lab ventures take the mic while you eat.
Afternoon · What We're Growing (1:00–4:00 PM)
The three industries the Capital Region is building, back to back, then the investors who fund them. Here are the topics that will be discussed:
AI & Robotics — who's shipping here, and what it takes to turn scattered companies into a cluster
Biomanufacturing & Biotech — getting research out of the lab and into companies that stay here
Advanced Manufacturing — batteries, clean energy, transportation, and what Made in California means for this region
The Capital Conversation — investors on what's getting funded here, what isn't, and what would change that
Evening · The Celebration
At 4:30 the doors open for the Silent Pitch and the 8th Annual Sacramento Entrepreneurial State of the Union. Free — register separately here: https://luma.com/s1g42i8x
Come for the whole day or join us at 4:30. Speakers announced as they're confirmed — grab your seat now.
Accessibility: If you need any accommodations, please let us know at least two weeks in advance so we can arrange them.