CalOSBA Releases Request for Proposals to Designate 10 Inclusive Innovation Hubs

Sacramento, CA – California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), part of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), announced that it is now accepting applications for the Inclusive Innovation Hub (IHub²) Program. The application period is open from October 11, 2021 through November 15, 2021.

CalOSBA will designate and award a total of ten (10) proposals to serve as California’s iHub² to incubate and/or accelerate technology and science-based firms in underserved regions and communities, including women and people of color. The official designation as an iHub² will be a 5-year agreement with the State of California. CalOSBA will award each designated Accelerate CA Hub $250,000 to build and expand programs during the first year of operation. These financial one-year awards for each iHub² will total $2.5 Million.

Building on the strengths of the clustered regional model, CalOSBA launched the California Inclusive Innovation Hub program (iHub²) with a new focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. The iHub² program will accelerate technology and science-based firms in key industry areas with a strong outreach focus on diverse founders, including women and people of color, and on underserved geographies and regions.

iHub² will encourage regions to build upon their existing or emerging innovation resources and local industry concentrations to create activity hubs, promote technology transfer and assist nascent companies with layered support and partnerships. Additionally, iHub² will serve as a bridge between local innovation ecosystems and state technical assistance, resources, and networks to support the success of the program.

As we continue to work toward inclusive economic recovery, programs like Accelerate CA Hub are important catalysts for innovation, new business starts, and supporting regional development through strong partnerships, said Tara Lynn Gray, Director of the Office of the Small Business Advocate.

Eligible applicants include:

• Fully accredited institutions of higher education such as community colleges, public and private universities and state colleges;
• Private nonprofit corporations engaged in economic development activities
• Local counties or municipalities with pre-existing community/economic development departments and/or programs; and,
• Public economic development institutions such as workforce investment boards and economic development corporations.

For full application instructions and eligibility information, please see the Request for Proposals at https://test.calosba.ca.gov/grant-and-funding-opportunities/ and grants.ca.gov.

CalOSBA is available to provide application related technical assistance via e-mail at osba@gobiz.ca.gov. There will be a zoom webinar for interested applicants held on October 21 at 10am. Interested applicants can register HERE.

The deadline to submit an application is November 15^th, 2021 at 12 PM PST. Applications must be submitted by e-mail toosba@gobiz.ca.gov.

About GO-Biz
Them 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.

About CalOSBA
The Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) helps support economic growth and innovation by working to ensure that California’s small businesses and entrepreneurs have the information, tools and resources they need to plan, launch, manage and grow their businesses successfully and be resilient. The CalOSBA serves to elevate their voices in state government and to advocate on their behalf to help ensure all aspiring and current small business owners and entrepreneurs are provided with the opportunity to access capital, access markets, and connect to the networks and resources they need to succeed. For more information visit the website.

Heather Purcell
Deputy Director of Communications
Email Heather,HERE