1 · Overview
Program overview
The Accelerate California Innovation Grant Program provides innovation grants to eligible California small businesses nominated by an Accelerate California Hub. The program is administered by CAP Contract Alliance, LLC, as Fiscal Agent, under a contract with the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA).
Nomination is not an award. All award decisions are made by CalOSBA. Submitting a nomination and the required documents is for consideration only and does not guarantee a grant award. No award is made until final CalOSBA approval.
2 · Audience
Who this page is for
This page is for Accelerate California Hubs and the small businesses they may nominate. Hubs assist these businesses to prepare and submit nominations on behalf of the businesses they serve.
3 · How it works
How the program works
- A Hub confirms the business meets every eligibility requirement.
- The Hub gathers the required documents and drafts the nomination answers. An optional preparation worksheet is available.
- The Hub submits the nomination through the online form, in one session.
- CAP Contract Alliance (Fiscal Agent) reviews the nomination for eligibility and compliance.
- CalOSBA makes the final award decision.
- For approved awards, the business completes payment enrollment (banking and tax information) through a secure page, and the grant is disbursed.
Nominations are reviewed in monthly batches — see Key dates and review cadence.
4 · Eligibility
Eligibility summary
A business must meet all of the following to be nominated:
- For-profit business based in California — fewer than 100 employees; high-growth, high-wage.
- Registered with the California Secretary of State on or after July 1, 2021. If registered earlier, an Eligibility Justification Narrative is required; approval is not guaranteed.
- California address and at least one owner domiciled in California. The business may be incorporated out of state, but primary operations must be in California.
- An existing client of the nominating Accelerate California Hub.
- Has completed the Hub’s required technical assistance activities (cohort training, capital access support, 1:1 mentorship, subject-matter expert engagement, resource referrals).
- Not owned or operated by Hub staff or their immediate family.
- Registered and in good standing with the appropriate California jurisdiction(s) at the time of submission. Incorporation is not required; other California business entity types are accepted.
5 · Award tiers
Award tiers and amounts
Phase II SBIR/STTR awardees are not eligible for Tier 1 awards.
6 · Documents
Documents to prepare
- Required: Grant Award Justification Narrative (CalOSBA template, Tier 1 or Tier 2); Innovation Grant Recommendation Letter (CalOSBA template, signed, on Hub letterhead); California Secretary of State Filings (obtained from the state).
- Conditional: Eligibility Justification Narrative (CalOSBA template) — required only if the business registered with the California Secretary of State before July 1, 2021.
- Optional: Backup Documentation for Required Activities — supporting evidence of the required activities.
Each document is uploaded to its own field as a single PDF.
7 · Key dates
Key dates and review cadence
Nominations are accepted from the 1st through the 7th of each month. Submissions after 11:59 p.m. PT on the 7th are reviewed in the following month.
Nominations are reviewed in monthly batches. After submission, CAP Contract Alliance completes the eligibility and compliance review; nominations go to CalOSBA leadership near the end of the month, with decisions typically within about a week. Payments and grant agreements follow after the month closes. If requested corrections are not completed within two weeks, the nomination moves to the next monthly batch.
8 · FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who can be nominated?
Who submits the nomination?
Does a nomination guarantee an award?
How are awards decided?
What are the award amounts?
Is the preparation worksheet required?
When are nominations reviewed?
What happens after an award?
Who do I contact with questions?
9 · Contacts
Contacts
Do not send nomination materials by email — everything is submitted through the online form. All questions should be directed to CAP Contract Alliance, regardless of content.
Accelerate California Hubs
Ready to prepare a nomination? Continue to the Hub Resource Center for the eligibility pre-check, document templates, the preparation worksheet, and the nomination form.
Go to the Hub Resource Center →10 · Funding disclosure
Funding disclosure
Funded in part through a contract with the California Office of the Small Business Advocate. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.