Dream Big Downtown
Do you have the next big idea for downtown Sacramento? Calling All Dreamers is your opportunity to turn it into a reality.
Our annual business incubator equips local entrepreneurs with tools, mentorship, and most importantly funding to open their dream storefront in the heart of the city. Participants gain guidance and connections to fast-track their business from concept to community favorite, and finalists can earn a cash prize if they sign a lease downtown within a year of completing the program.
During this 5-month program, you will learn from entrepreneurs and successful business owners from Sacramento. They understand the market, permitting process, real estate hurdles, and more. Calling All Dreamers will set you up for success. The application is extensive, but the result has the potential to change your life and your city.
Applications require the following and must be submitted by September 1, 2025.
- Business model concept
- 60 second video pitch
- Résumés of all business partners
- Any other digital assets you may have (Ex: logos, headshots)
- $50 Registration fee
Questions? Visit our FAQ page to learn more.
Ready to take the leap? Submit your application here and see what happens when ambition meets opportunity!
Proof That It Works
Calling All Dreamers alumni are already making their mark on downtown. Take Haus of Comedy, who just signed a lease in Old Sacramento Waterfront. A 2025 runner-up, they received $15,000 in prize funding to bring Sacramento high-energy improv, stand-up, drag, and comedy classes, with a grand opening set for January 2026.
They join a growing list of dreamers who’ve turned ideas into destinations you can visit right now:
Dipped N Color Splat Studio – Let your creativity run wild in this paint-splatter paradise.
NEO Escape Rooms – Test your wits with themed challenges that put teamwork to the test.
Ecojoyous – A haven for sustainable living products.
Cerealism – Where breakfast nostalgia meets dessert indulgence.
Capital Tuk-Tuk – Explore the city in style with guided rides.
WHIRED Wine Window – Enjoy pours with a twist from this charming Italy-inspired wine window.
Burnside Coffee Bar – A taproom-style coffee experience with flavors from around the world.
And keep an eye out for Pittador Brews Specialty Teas & Coffees, opening this fall in Old Sacramento Waterfront!