Sacramento's Office of Innovation and Economic Development has launched two grant programs worth a total of $1 million geared toward empowering local businesses and entrepreneurs.

If you're looking to "grow your network to grow your net worth" (that's a thing we've heard our millennial "grindset" friends say), check out what the City of Trees has on offer.

Innovation Event Grant

This grant is for funding events where people come together to share knowledge and ideas, like entrepreneurial mixers or business pitch meet-ups. Locals can get up to $15,000 to pay for these gatherings — whether they're part of an ongoing event series or a one-and-done scenario. Qualifying events must be held within Sacramento city limits before Dec. 31, 2023. See the full application for details.

Ecosystem Building Grant

This grant will provide between $20,000 and $250,000 for projects that help start-ups and entrepreneurs "build pipelines into key industry verticals." This could be something like an incubator program for growing businesses, co-working spaces aiming to bring together like-minded entrepreneurs, or educational programs to train the next generation of Sacramento business owners. See the full guidelines on the application.

Want to learn more? Virtual information sessions will be held Tuesday, June 20, at 11:30 a.m. + 12:30 p.m. Applications for both grants close Monday, July 17, at 5 p.m.