Spark Sacramento: Innovation Showcase: Six innovations. Expert perspectives. A cleaner energy future.
Join us for a special startup pitch event highlighting innovative entrepreneurs developing technologies to help build a cleaner, smarter energy future.
As we wrap up Global Entrepreneurship Week (November 16–20), this event will showcase promising Sacramento-area startups working on solutions that could help SMUD and its customers accelerate decarbonization and modernize the energy industry.
Six selected startups will have the opportunity to pitch their innovations to a panel of SMUD subject matter experts, receiving valuable feedback from a utility perspective and exploring opportunities for collaboration.
Areas of Innovation
We're looking for startups developing solutions in areas such as:
Green and Clean Technologies: Solutions that reduce emissions and support sustainability.
Grid Modernization: Technologies that improve the efficiency, reliability, and resilience of the electrical grid.
Customer Demand Management: Innovations that help customers manage and optimize energy consumption.
Transportation Electrification: Technologies supporting electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and electrified transportation.
Power Generation and Transmission: Solutions that improve how electricity is generated, delivered, and managed.
Startup Pitch Opportunity
Six startups will be selected to participate in the showcase. Each company will receive:
6 minutes to present its technology, business model, and potential impact.
10 minutes of feedback, questions, and discussion with SMUD's expert panel.
The goal is to connect promising entrepreneurs with industry expertise, potential strategic partners, and opportunities to deploy their solutions locally and eventually at scale.
While participation does not guarantee a pilot project with SMUD, startups demonstrating strong potential may be invited to continue discussions, receive additional guidance, or explore future collaboration opportunities.
Who Should Apply?
We're seeking startups that meet the following criteria:
Location: Headquartered within SMUD's service territory (preferred) or the greater Sacramento region.
Stage: Beyond the minimum viable product (MVP) stage, with meaningful customer traction, early sales, or pre-sales activity.
Impact: Developing technologies or solutions that could help SMUD and its customers accelerate decarbonization.
Focus: Working in one or more of the energy innovation areas described above.
Help Us Discover Sacramento's Next Energy Innovators
As part of SMUD's Economic Development & Partnerships innovation efforts, this event is an opportunity to identify and support promising regional startups.
Know a startup that should be considered? We welcome nominations of qualified companies developing innovative energy solutions.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, industry professional, or supporter of Sacramento's startup ecosystem, join us to discover the technologies and companies helping shape the future of energy.
Let's close out Global Entrepreneurship Week by showcasing innovation happening right here in our own backyard.
How to Apply (Deadline is November 6)
Email: Franklin.Burris@smud.org with the following:
Company Name
Website URL (if possible)
Narrative paragraph about solution and traction.
Date: Friday, November 20, 2026
Time: 8:30 am - 12 pm
Location: SMUD Customer Service Center, 6301 S St., Sacramento, California 95817
Cost: Free
Register: LearningStream