On Friday, June 20, Sactown Makers hosted their first Demo Night at UC Davis Aggie Square in Sacramento to celebrate the success of their 13-week accelerator program. More than 65 people attended to support eight early stage entrepreneurs as they pitched their ideas and showcased the products they developed during the course.

Each participant shared a unique idea. One entrepreneur introduced an app that helps homeowners upgrade their lighting with affordable, custom fixtures. Another explained how learning Fusion 360 helped him grow his woodworking business by creating digital models and saving time on production.

Their program focuses on teaching product design and development to BIPOC and low-income individuals in Sacramento. Over 13 weeks, participants learned to use 3D printers and Fusion 360 CAD CAM modeling software. At the end of the program, each student received a 3D printer and a one-year Fusion 360 license, a package valued at over $1,000.

They also welcomed guest speaker Yianni Yiannakou, founder of Auth Hero, who delivered a powerful pitch about his healthcare technology startup. His story highlighted how local innovators are using tech to solve real-world problems.

The room was filled with excitement, support, and pride. This event was not a competition but a celebration of growth, learning, and community. Christina Granados and Alan Ware, co-founders of Sactown Makers, are proud of their students and grateful to everyone who came out to support them.

Their next Demo Night will take place in October, and they are already looking forward to seeing what the next group of entrepreneurs will create.

Sactown Makers is committed to helping people turn ideas into real products and launch businesses in Sacramento’s creative economy.