UC Davis Launches Aggie Venture Accelerator at Sacramento’s Aggie Square

The Aggie Venture Accelerator has officially launched at Aggie Square in Sacramento, offering a structured four-month program designed to support early-stage startups working at the intersection of life science, food, and health. Delivered through Venture Catalyst under UC Davis’ Innovation and Economic Development Office, the new initiative teams up with The March Group to provide selected founders with a combination of mentorship, structured support, and investment tailored to science and technology-based ventures.

For early-stage founders operating in the Sacramento region, securing capital, guidance, and industry connections simultaneously remains a persistent hurdle. The Aggie Venture Accelerator attempts to bridge that gap by anchoring its operations at Aggie Square in Sacramento while also operating in Davis. The program builds directly upon the broader momentum of the university’s startup track record, which has supported the launch of more than 300 startups over the past decade according to program materials.

Funding and Resources Provided to Selected Startups

Selected startups accepted into the cohort are eligible to receive up to $250,000 in total value, structured specifically through two post-money SAFEs executed simultaneously. That funding breakdown consists of $175,000 delivered in cash alongside $75,000 in program value dedicated to infrastructure, resources, and specialized services provided through UC Davis.

Beyond capital, participating teams receive weekly mentorship, direct access to domain experts, and curated introductions to industry partners and investors. According to program materials, the primary objective is to assist founders in reaching critical technical and business milestones while establishing momentum for subsequent fundraising rounds.

Cohort Structure and Operational Requirements

The accelerator operates as an intensive four-month, cohort-based program designed with intentionally small groups to ensure founders receive hands-on assistance. Participating teams must commit significant time to the experience, with program materials estimating between 10 and 13 hours per week devoted to structured programming and out-of-class assignments throughout the four-month duration.

At least one designated team member must participate in cohort sessions, which take place primarily in person on Tuesday and Friday mornings. The curriculum also incorporates pre-work, post-session deliverables, and mandatory weekly check-ins with the program director to track progress and troubleshoot developing challenges.

Eligibility and Application Guidelines

The program targets early-stage startups seeking pre-seed to seed funding, prioritizing teams that demonstrate clear ties to UC Davis through students, faculty, staff, research, incubators, accelerators, or strategic collaborations. Strong applicants are expected to feature a founding team of at least two members, including a full-time C-level leader, alongside a demonstrable path to securing rights to their core technology or invention.