SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom on Mar 5 announced more than $2 million in grant funding aimed at accelerating the growth of 37 high-potential startups across California. The funding, facilitated through the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) Innovation Grant Awards, targets entrepreneurs who are redefining the state's most critical industries.

The awards provide critical capital ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 per company, spanning 17 counties. This investment underscores California’s commitment to maintaining its edge in strategic sectors, including Artificial Intelligence, Clean Energy, Health Technology, and Advanced Manufacturing.

The grant recipients reflect the demographic and geographic breadth of the Golden State:

· Geographic Reach: Funding reaches startups in both rural and urban hubs across 17 counties.

· Equity in Innovation: 50% of the awarded businesses are women-owned.

· Early-Stage Support: Over 70% of recipients are pre-revenue, providing a vital lifeline to companies at the "cutting edge" before their products hit the commercial market.

While many of these businesses are in their early stages, they possess significant intellectual weight. Collectively, the grantees hold 7 awarded patents, with an additional 27 patent applications currently in progress.