Calling All Dreamers
Downtown Sac’s Brick & Mortar Business Incubator
Applications open August 1st!
Open Your Business Downtown
Calling All Dreamers is a business incubation program that assists entrepreneurs in building out their business plan and looking at potential storefront locations in Downtown Sacramento. Every year, ten business concepts are chosen by the selection committee from the applicant pool to participate in the program. The application requirements are listed below. Any participant in the Calling All Dreamers program also needs to be willing to open and operate within the Downtown Sacramento Partnership’s district.
During the program, participants are paired with a business mentor from SCORE who assists them in building out their business plan and financial projections. They attend 10+ business workshops that focus on a variety of relevant topics including marketing, HR policies, workplace safety, team building, financing options, permitting, pitching to investors, and more.
After several months, the top five concepts are chosen to move forward and are eligible to receive a cash infusion into their business provided they complete the program and sign a lease in our downtown district within one year!
If you have questions about applying for Calling All Dreamers, please contact the program manager, Andrew LaFrance, at [email protected].
Pittador Brews Specialty Teas & Coffees wins cash prize of $20,000 and will open in Old Sacramento Waterfront summer of 2025!
A unique café experience in Sacramento, Pittador Brews Specialty Teas and Coffees offers premium teas, coffees, craft beers, meads, and pet-themed drinks. Their mission to provide a vibrant, pet-friendly community space that fosters human connection and appreciation for high-quality beverages.
Pittador Brews has been in operation for nearly five years. The business has regular appearances at various farmers markets throughout the region as well as at the California State Fair and Cosumnes River College. Also operating as a wholesale vendor, the owners are eager to open a brick-and-mortar location to better serve the community in-person. The business name is based on their love of their two favorite things: dogs and a freshly brewed hot beverage. They roast coffee beans from a variety of counties including Malawi, Sulawesi, and Nicaragua and source dozens of unique teas from across the world.
The Calling All Dreamers program has given us the mentorship, resources, and support needed to take our vision from dream to reality. With our lease secured in Old Sacramento, the funds we receive will go toward staffing and upgrading to an all-electric coffee roaster, allowing us to roast in-house.
The previous Calling All Dreamers Runner-Up, Haus of Comedy, is eligible for a cash prize of $15,000!
Haus of Comedy
Haus of Comedy is a fun-loving company that offers teen and adult improv classes, live comedy shows, and workplace team-building sessions. Haus of Comedy will expand upon the concept and operate an independent improv and sketch comedy theater whose mission is to provide a unique space for creativity and connection, making the Central City a better place to live, work, and play.
Meet the Finalists from the previous Calling All Dreamers program!
Cà Phê Diễm
Cà Phê means coffee in Vietnamese, and Cà Phê Diễm started with a vision to reconnect with the owner’s roots, foster community, and share love for Vietnamese culture through coffee. Currently operating a mobile business at local markets and private events, they are looking to open a café that will also serve Vietnamese-inspired snacks.
Nacho House
Serving a wide range of nachos that cater to everyone including vegans and vegetarians, Nacho House is a pop-up food vendor that is looking to find a permanent location. Each delicious nacho order can be different as customers have the choice of five meats, nine “top off” ingredients, and various cheeses.
Style For It
Style For It is currently operating as a women’s clothing retail market for sizes 12 and up. The boutique is looking to expand into a larger space with a brick-and-mortar in Downtown Sacramento. They will offer fashion resale and special occasion rentals along with fashion shows and fairs for the local community.
Thank You to our Calling All Dreamers 2025/2026 Sponsors!
Previous Open Participants
Since 2013, Calling All Dreamers has helped over 35 business owners open storefronts downtown and across Sacramento. The program provides participants with a collaborative network of entrepreneurs and mentors, so creative business concepts can thrive as physical locations.
Learn More
Prize Package
Taking a business from a dream to reality is a complicated task, and the first year is usually the most difficult for small businesses. Downtown Sacramento Foundation, with the generous support of Calling All Dreamers’ sponsors, assists the winner in navigating the challenges of its first year in business.
Prize Package