CalOSBA Announces Grants to Expand Small Business Assistance in California

Feb 16, 2022 | CalOSBA, Press Release

Sacramento, CA – The California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) today announced grant awards to technical assistance and grantmaking partners of the California Dream Fund Program. The California Dream Fund Program is a one-time $35 Million grant program that will provide microgrants to seed entrepreneurship and small business creation in California.

To qualify for the Dream Fund program, small startup businesses must complete a rigorous training and consulting program with one of seventeen technical assistance centers selected from CalOSBA’s Technical Assistance Expansion Program (TAEP) network. Businesses that complete the program and qualify for the grant will be eligible to receive a microgrant of up to $10,000. Lendistry has been selected to administer the grantmaking process.

“Access to capital is critical for small business success and when matched with Technical Assistance, it can make the difference between success and failure for small businesses, and entrepreneurs, especially those who are under resourced to start. California’s stellar TA network is uniquely qualified and well positioned to provide services to diverse groups and communities across the state,” said Tara Lynn Gray, Director of CalOSBA.

The Dream Fund builds on CalOSBA’s existing technical assistance network, which is centered by the TAEP and Capital Infusion (CIP) programs. Since launching in 2018, technical assistance centers funded by TAEP and CIP have served over 500,000 small businesses with free consulting and no to low cost training in over 30 languages.

Visit CalOSBA’s new website for more information and view the Funding Programs | California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) .

About GO-Biz
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) serves as the State of California’s leader for job growth and economic development efforts. GO-Biz offers a range of services to business owners including: attraction, retention and expansion services, site selection, permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, small business assistance, international trade development, assistance with state government, and much more. For more information visit the GO-Biz website.

Heather Purcell
Deputy Director of Communications
Email Heather, HERE