This year, Folsom Tech Week brought together more than 300 participants – including speakers, founders, hackathon participants, industry leaders, students, and curious builders – all eager to learn, connect, and be part of shaping the region's tech future.
The energy throughout the week was incredible, with packed rooms, thoughtful conversations, and new relationships forming across every event.
We're proud to share that attendance surpassed last year's numbers, and with an expanded lineup of sessions, experiences, and Pocket Events, the week grew not just in size but in impact for the Folsom and greater Sacramento tech community.
Folsom Tech Week brought together innovators, founders, and trailblazers for a week full of ideas, inspiration, and practical takeaways.
Panels highlighted ways to improve digital health, modernize public services, explore real-world AI applications, and help startups grow, sparking conversations and giving attendees tools to turn ideas into action.
Ishita M. Shah, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of Matrubials, delivered a keynote focused on translating breakthrough science into scalable innovation, drawing from her background in microbiome science, infectious disease research, and women's health biotech.
She shared insights on building mission-driven biotech companies that bridge rigorous scientific discovery with real-world impact and advancing health outcomes for future generations, emphasizing how scientific foundation, team vision, and strategic execution come together to drive meaningful innovation.
Travis Cox, Chief Technology Evangelist at Inductive Automation, spoke about the future of industrial innovation and open architectures, highlighting how modern automation technologies and open standards are shaping the next era of industrial systems.
He shared forward-thinking perspectives on how automation empowers people and businesses to solve complex challenges, the importance of community-driven technology ecosystems, and why embracing flexible, scalable solutions is key for long-term digital transformation across industries.
We were honored by the incredible lineup of speakers and panelists who joined us to share their insights, experiences, and expertise, helping make sense of the region's dynamic innovation landscape.
From mayors and CEOs to founders, executive directors, and chief technology leaders, our program featured some of the most impressive voices across industries. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from leaders such as Chief Innovation Officers, Chief Technology Evangelists, Board Chairs, and Vice Presidents, alongside founders and executives driving growth, strategy, and impact in their organizations.
Their participation not only enriched panels and keynotes but also sparked conversations, mentorship, and collaboration that showcased the region's entrepreneurial spirit and forward-thinking mindset.
At Folsom Tech Week 2026, attendees had a total of 13 specialized sessions and activities beyond the main panels and keynotes, designed to mix learning, hands-on experience, and networking. This included pocket events such as The Entrepreneur Performance Reset, Trash to Treasure Upcycling Workshop, The Founder Exchange, Tax Mitigation & Accounting Best Practices, Live Software Product Demos (Vibe Coding), and Creating the Sound of the Future: AI Music & Creativity.
In addition, there were extra or afternoon activities, including wellness sessions like yoga and sound baths, paddle boarding, networking mixers, happy hours, and interactive demos – all providing attendees unique opportunities to connect, recharge, and engage with the community in creative ways.
Some highlights of Folsom Tech Week were the happy hours, cocktail mixers, and the Funders & Founders breakfast, which provided attendees with a chance to network and continue discussions in an informal setting. These gatherings offered a relaxed environment to connect with peers, share ideas, and wrap up the day's sessions.
For the second year in a row, the FTW Hackathon brought together technologists, designers, and nonprofit leaders for an intense 48-hour sprint to develop real AI-driven solutions.
This year, participants focused on tackling pressing challenges faced by local nonprofits, working in collaboration with FYC Labs and Sacramento Venture Philanthropy. Teams worked tirelessly to create practical, deployable tools, culminating in a live showcase where prototypes were presented to judges and peers.
We want to especially recognize the support from the 3Strands team – Eric Johnson, Joel Megerssa, David Webb, and nonprofit lead Bernadette Opeka – whose mentorship and guidance helped shape the projects throughout the weekend.
The winning solutions highlighted creativity, collaboration, and real-world impact, and we're proud of all participants for pushing boundaries and transforming innovative ideas into actionable solutions.
At Folsom Tech Week's highly competitive pitch competition, judged by four experts, founder Titilope Olotu won $3,000 for PADÍ, a health-tech and sustainability company creating smart, biodegradable menstrual pads that combine everyday hygiene with proactive health diagnostics.
Titilope showcased PADÍ's potential to transform menstrual care by reducing plastic waste, diverting agricultural byproducts, and lowering carbon emissions, while advancing women's health across fertility, healthcare, sports, and education markets. Using banana fiber and microfluidic technology, the pads track over 10 biomarkers to help detect issues like hormonal imbalances or PCOS early, paired with a mobile app for data tracking.
We want to thank everyone who joined the Speakeasy Social Club, got to experience our cozy little speakeasy space, and raised a glass (well, tumbler) to say cheers with some refreshing drinks.
Folsom Tech Week wrapped up in style with an exciting concert at Zittel Amphitheater. Attendees enjoyed live performances from Lyric Michelle Fernandes, AI-generated music from Proptheproducer, and a closing set by Rudy Kalma, creating a truly memorable finale.
Folsom Tech Week wouldn't have been such a success without the dedication, energy, and support of the incredible people who helped bring it all together.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to our amazing sponsors, whose support made Folsom Tech Week 2026 an unforgettable experience.
From returning sponsors to new partners, their contributions included engaging pocket events, interactive activities, catering, and more.
We're grateful to Granite City Workspaces for hosting Folsom Tech Week for the second consecutive year, providing a vibrant home base where founders, innovators, and technologists could gather, collaborate, and build meaningful connections throughout the week.
FYC Labs & Fractal Group – A huge thank you for your extensive contributions across event branding and visual identity, website design and development, advertising and promotional campaigns, digital assets and marketing support, creative and technical infrastructure, and the development and management of the ticketing and check-in app that powered the event experience.
SMUD – Thank you for hosting a dedicated table and engaging with attendees around energy innovation and community initiatives.
RingCentral – We appreciate your presence and participation through your table, connecting with founders and technologists throughout the week.
Tesla – Thank you for bringing the Tesla test drive experience, giving attendees a hands-on look at the future of electric mobility.
City of Rancho Cordova – Appreciate the support with the hosted events, including the Fireside Chat with Mayor Garrett Gatewood, the Rancho Cordova Tech Panel, and Happy Hour with small bites and drinks.
Inductive Automation – A special thank you to the Inductive Automation team for joining us at Folsom Tech Week, including keynote speaker Travis Cox, who led AI Day with his talk, "The Next Evolution of Intelligence in Industrial Automation," sharing insights on the future of AI in industry, and Kevin McClusky, who participated in the Modern Infrastructure: Cloud, Automation, and the Next Era of Public + Industrial Tech panel.
Uncle Charlie's Brewery – Thank you to Uncle Charlie's Brewery for hosting The Founder Exchange with the Veteran Entrepreneur Tribe of Sacramento (V.E.T.S.), as well as the official closing party, creating the perfect setting for founders and attendees to connect and celebrate the week.
Mind Garden – We appreciate Mind Garden for bringing wellness into the week with yoga and sound bath sessions, offering attendees a chance to recharge and reset between the high-energy conversations.
CLA Connect – Thank you to CLA Connect for hosting the session "Tax Mitigation & Accounting Best Practices for Founders and C-Suite," led by Matt Winans, providing founders with valuable financial strategies and practical guidance for scaling responsibly.
We want to give a big thank you to all the amazing students who participated in the Youth Robotics Product Showcase + Demo. Your creativity, dedication, and hard work inspired everyone in the audience.
A big thank you to our incredible catering partners who helped keep our attendees energized and happy throughout the week. We're grateful to Vacanza Romana, Mimosa House, Mendocino Farms, and Chipotle Mexican Grill for providing delicious lunches for our amazing Folsom Tech Week attendees.
Thank you for helping make Folsom Tech Week 2026 such a powerful gathering of innovators, founders, and builders. We can't wait to see everyone again next year!
The FTW Team