Downtown Sacramento Foundation Announces EcoPress Sacramento As Winner of the 2026-26 Calling All Dreamers Business Incubator Program
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (April 16, 2026) – Downtown Sacramento Foundation is proud to announce EcoPress Sacramento as the winner of the 13th Annual Calling All Dreamers business incubator program. As the winner, EcoPress will be awarded a $20,000 cash prize and business support as it prepares to open its first brick-and-mortar location this summer in “The Paperworks” building (1115 Front Street) in Old Sacramento Waterfront. EcoPress is an environmentally minded art studio that transforms plastic waste into functional art. It uses HDPE #2 and PLA plastics by melting down discarded bottles and products and turning it into jewelry, keychains, home décor, furniture, and other items.
“EcoPress Sacramento started as a way to rethink plastic waste, to challenge the idea that what we throw away has no value and transform it into something meaningful for our community,” said EcoPress founder and CEO Sam Mejia. “To now grow that vision into a retail workshop space in the city that raised me is incredibly powerful. It means creating a place where the next generation of Sacramento creatives, makers, and problem-solvers can feel inspired, welcomed, and equipped to build something of their own.”
To further support emerging entrepreneurs, the Downtown Sacramento Foundation will also award a $10,000 runner-up prize to BYTES Food Trucks, with funding contingent upon their participation in permitted outdoor events within Downtown Sacramento Partnership’s downtown district. Additionally, Wonderson’s Company – comprised of three family-run business concepts – has been named a finalist and could receive a $5,000 award, contingent on signing a lease within Downtown Sacramento Partnership’s district.
Calling All Dreamers has driven economic growth in downtown Sacramento for more than a decade, helping launch a diverse mix of locally owned businesses that contribute to a vibrant and dynamic downtown.
“Calling All Dreamers has been more than a competition, it’s been a true foundation for EcoPress,” said Mejia. “The workshops, presentations, mentorship, activations, and guidance provided through the program gave me the structure, clarity, and confidence to grow this vision into something real and sustainable. I am deeply grateful to all the sponsors, speakers, and to everyone involved with the Downtown Sacramento Partnership for believing in small businesses like mine and investing in ideas that center community, creativity, environmental responsibility, and accessibility.”
The Calling All Dreamers program is produced by Downtown Sacramento Partnership and presented by Kaiser Permanente, with the generous support of SMUD, California Bank of Commerce, Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Bizhaven, Indie Capital, Women’s Business Center, CoStar Group, and more. T-Rock Communications provides media support.
More information about EcoPress Sacramento is available at ecopress916.com, and more details about Calling All Dreamers is available at CallingAllDreamers.org.
PRESS: Download photos here. Interviews with finalists and program leads available upon request.