Programs run by California, its cities and California-based lenders and investors, checked on their official pages. Venture funds that filed a new Form D from California are listed below them. Nationwide grants are open to California businesses too.
Grant (free money, no repayment) · City and County of San Francisco, Office of Economic and Workforce Development
Amount: Up to $10,000 per business location (reimbursement) · Due Jun 11, 2027 · California
Who qualifies: San Francisco storefront businesses open to the public with an active Business Account Number, under $5M revenue (single location) and 100 or fewer employees, making accessibility improvements.
Equity investment (investors take ownership) · Antler
Amount: Typically $500K to $1M initial commitment plus $650K in partner credits · Rolling, apply any time · California, New York, Texas
Who qualifies: Pre-seed founders in San Francisco, New York City and Austin. Antler reviews applications year-round and invites a select group monthly.
Equity investment (investors take ownership) · Band of Angels
Amount: Amount not listed · Rolling, apply any time · Nationwide
Who qualifies: Seed-stage high technology and life science companies, with a monthly deal cycle in Silicon Valley (hybrid with Zoom). No fees for presenting companies. Does not invest in real estate, restaurants, retail or funds.
Equity investment (investors take ownership) · TCA Venture Group (Tech Coast Angels)
Amount: Up to several million dollars with syndicate partners · Rolling, apply any time · California
Who qualifies: Startups with a strong team, a defensible idea and early traction raising seed, bridge or early Series A. Most investments are in Southern California companies.
Equity investment (investors take ownership) · Pasadena Angels
Amount: Typically $150K to $750K · Rolling, apply any time · Nationwide
Who qualifies: Seed+ US C-corps (or Canadian equivalent) with at least an MVP and completed customer discovery. Primary focus is California, but applications from across the US are welcome.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · CDC Small Business Finance
Amount: $10,000 to $50,000 microloans in California; SBA 7(a) Community Advantage $30,000 to $350,000 · Rolling, apply any time · California
Who qualifies: Startups and existing small businesses, with a focus on California. Startups need a 10% down payment and management or industry experience; limited collateral does not disqualify.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank), Small Business Finance Center
Amount: Loan size set by the lender; IBank guarantees part of the loan · Rolling, apply any time · California
Who qualifies: California small businesses with 1 to 750 employees that have trouble getting a bank loan. You apply through a participating lender, and IBank guarantees part of the loan.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · Main Street Launch
Amount: Up to $350,000 · Rolling, apply any time · California
Who qualifies: New or existing for-profit businesses located in California, 100% owned by US citizens, that can show they can repay from historical or projected revenue.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · Pacific Community Ventures
Amount: $10,000 to $500,000, 8.75% fixed · Rolling, apply any time · California
Who qualifies: California-based businesses operating and generating revenue for at least 12 months with cash flow to cover payments. Rideshare, real estate, transportation, cannabis and nonprofits are excluded.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · Accion Opportunity Fund
Amount: Up to $250,000, terms up to 36 months · Rolling, apply any time · Nationwide
Who qualifies: Businesses with at least 2 years in operation and $300,000+ in annual sales, where shareholders are US citizens or permanent residents. Loans are offered in 45 states, including California and Texas.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · Working Solutions (CDFI)
Amount: $5,000 to $100,000 · Rolling, apply any time · California
Who qualifies: California entrepreneurs, including pre-revenue businesses and those under 1 year old. SSN or ITIN borrowers are served, with no minimum revenue, credit score or collateral.
Loan (you repay it with interest) · LiftFund (CDFI)
Amount: $500 to $1 million; rates 0% to 17.50% · Rolling, apply any time · Nationwide
Who qualifies: Startups through established small businesses, including owners with limited credit, collateral or experience. Based in San Antonio and lends nationwide, including Texas and California.
Equity investment (investors take ownership) · Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)
Amount: Up to $1M: $500K for 10% on a SAFE, plus up to $500K more in the next qualifying round · Due Nov 1, 2026 · Nationwide
Who qualifies: Very early teams with an idea, prototype or early product who are already building. 12-week in-person residency in San Francisco; founders can apply from outside the US. Applying is free.
Equity investment (investors take ownership) · Y Combinator
Amount: $500,000: 7% plus an uncapped MFN SAFE · Due Nov 2, 2026 · Nationwide
Who qualifies: Early-stage startups and founders. The Winter 2027 batch runs January to March in San Francisco. On-time applicants hear back by December 11.
Amount: Amount not listed · Due Nov 11, 2026 · Nationwide
Who qualifies: Startups whose product launched on or after January 1, 2024 and that have raised no more than $10M. $225 non-refundable entry fee. Finals are in Austin in March 2027.
Competition (prize money, no repayment) · Tory Burch Foundation
Amount: Fellowship program, no cash amount listed · Due Nov 17, 2026 · Nationwide
Who qualifies: Women 21 or older who own the largest stake in a for-profit US business that is at least 51% women-owned and makes at least $75,000 a year. US legal residents, English proficiency required.
Equity investment (investors take ownership) · Techstars
Amount: $220K (Techstars standard accelerator investment) · Due Nov 18, 2026 · Nationwide
Who qualifies: Remote-first program for domain-expert founders in North American time zones, with emphasis on robotics, energy, applied and physical AI and materials science. Three in-person offsites, no relocation.
Equity investment (investors take ownership) · Techstars
Amount: $220K (Techstars standard accelerator investment) · Due Nov 18, 2026 · Nationwide
Who qualifies: Founders in any sector, with priority for AI/ML, robotics, healthtech, tech bio and critical infrastructure. Program starts March 8, 2027.
Equity investment (investors take ownership) · Techstars
Amount: $220,000 ($200K uncapped MFN SAFE plus $20K for 5% common) · Due Nov 18, 2026 · Nationwide
Who qualifies: Founders building in markets large enough for $1B+ annual revenue, with focus areas including health, climate, AI/ML, fintech, supply chains, future of work and enterprise SaaS. Founders can be based anywhere. Program starts March 8, 2027.
Grant (free money, no repayment) · U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (Hiring Our Heroes), supported by the FedEx Founder's Fund
Amount: Four $10,000 grants and one $25,000 grant · Due Dec 15, 2026 · Nationwide
Who qualifies: For-profit businesses at least 51% owned by a veteran or military spouse, with 3 to 20 employees and under $5 million in annual revenue, located in an economically vulnerable community or showing financial hardship. Owner must live in the 50 states.
Competition (prize money, no repayment) · Halstead Bead, Inc.
Amount: $7,500 cash grand prize plus $1,000 gift card; finalists get $1,000 cash · Due May 1, 2027 · Nationwide
Who qualifies: Emerging jewelry artists working primarily in silver. Applicants answer 15 business questions and submit a design portfolio. Full eligibility is in the downloadable application.
Equity investment (investors take ownership) · Central Texas Angel Network
Amount: Amount not listed · Rolling, apply any time · Nationwide
Who qualifies: Pre-seed, seed and Series A companies, US-based strongly preferred; you do not have to be in Texas. Takes preferred equity, capped convertible notes or capped post-money SAFEs.
Equity investment (investors take ownership) · Golden Seeds
Amount: Typically $125,000 to $350,000 in a company's first round of outside capital · Rolling, apply any time · Nationwide
Who qualifies: US-domiciled women-led companies with at least one woman in an operating C-suite role, a product in beta or later, and proof-of-concept revenue or significant pilots (consumer products need over $1M trailing revenue).
84 US venture funds sized $10M to $150M filed a new Form D with the SEC from California in 2026Q3. A filing means the fund is raising money from its own investors, not that it takes cold pitches. Check each fund's own site first.
Costanoa LA Growth, L.P., PALO ALTO, California. Fund size $50M, filed Sep 30, 2026, phone (650) 388-9310 (from the filing). SEC filing
Costanoa LA Early, L.P., PALO ALTO, California. Fund size $50M, filed Sep 30, 2026, phone (650) 388-9310 (from the filing). SEC filing
AI All Star Fund 2, L.P., PORTOLA VALLEY, California. Fund size $50M, filed Sep 30, 2026, phone 6503245980 (from the filing). SEC filing
BRVC Relativity Space LLC, LOS ANGELES, California. Fund size $50M, filed Sep 30, 2026, phone 310-966-1444 (from the filing). SEC filing
Maple IV, L.P., SAN FRANCISCO, California. Fund size $75M, filed Sep 29, 2026. SEC filing
AIC Carmel 3, L.P. - Series One, Belmont, California. Fund size $30M, filed Sep 29, 2026, phone 650-200-3773 (from the filing). SEC filing
ECP O13, LLC, PALO ALTO, California. Fund size $30.4M, filed Sep 28, 2026, phone 650-420-5055 (from the filing). SEC filing
Linea Ventures Fund I, LP, Berkeley, California. Fund size $20M, filed Sep 28, 2026, phone (408) 838-5845 (from the filing). SEC filing
WndrCo Holdings ATM LP, SAN FRANCISCO, California. Fund size $78.8M, filed Sep 24, 2026, phone 424-363-3066 (from the filing). SEC filing
Substance I, LP, Berkeley, California. Fund size $20M, filed Sep 24, 2026, phone (408) 505-2281 (from the filing). SEC filing
AHOY CAPITAL SPINNAKER FUND III, LP, PALO ALTO, California. Fund size $35M, filed Sep 23, 2026, phone 650-384-9434 (from the filing). SEC filing
Javelin Venture Partners V-A SPV IV, LLC, SAN FRANCISCO, California. Fund size $24.5M, filed Sep 23, 2026, phone 415-471-1300 (from the filing). SEC filing
GV Fund II LP, SAN DIEGO, California. Fund size $50M, filed Sep 22, 2026, phone (360) 340-9337 (from the filing). SEC filing
Kindred Flex IV, L.P., SAN FRANCISCO, California. Fund size $50M, filed Sep 21, 2026, phone 415-938-8860 (from the filing). SEC filing
Menlo AI Neo Labs, L.P., MENLO PARK, California. Fund size $35M, filed Sep 21, 2026, phone 650 854 8540 (from the filing). SEC filing
Script Capital IV, L.P., SAN FRANCISCO, California. Fund size $20M, filed Sep 18, 2026, phone 805-263-9177 (from the filing). SEC filing
IVP XVIII-A, L.P., MENLO PARK, California. Fund size $15M, filed Sep 18, 2026, phone (650) 854-0132 (from the filing). SEC filing
How Women Invest IV (Q), LP, OAKLAND, California. Fund size $63M, filed Sep 17, 2026, phone 415-302-4740 (from the filing). SEC filing
How Women Invest IV, LP, OAKLAND, California. Fund size $12M, filed Sep 17, 2026, phone 415-302-4740 (from the filing). SEC filing
Webb Investment Network Fund III, L.P., SAN FRANCISCO, California. Fund size $25M, filed Sep 15, 2026, phone 415-484-8512 (from the filing). SEC filing
Plug & Play New Jersey Fund I-A, L.P., SUNNYVALE, California. Fund size $10M, filed Sep 11, 2026, phone 408-524-1470 (from the filing). SEC filing
Earthshot Ventures Fund II, LP, SAN FRANCISCO, California. Fund size $125M, filed Sep 10, 2026, phone 650-960-1677 (from the filing). SEC filing
MW VC Blue Origin, LLC, LOS ANGELES, California. Fund size $50M, filed Sep 10, 2026, phone 310-341-4585 (from the filing). SEC filing
Tribe Capital AI Fund XI, L.P., SAN MATEO, California. Fund size $25.0M, filed Sep 9, 2026, phone 7076535302 (from the filing). SEC filing
Tribe Capital AI Fund X, L.P., SAN MATEO, California. Fund size $25.0M, filed Sep 9, 2026, phone 7076535302 (from the filing). SEC filing
Khosla Ventures GI SPV II, LLC, MENLO PARK, California. Fund size $30M, filed Sep 3, 2026, phone 650-376-8500 (from the filing). SEC filing
Generational Partners Fund II, LP, LOS ANGELES, California. Fund size $20M, filed Sep 3, 2026, phone (732) 677-8417 (from the filing). SEC filing
Prompt Capital Fund I LP, SAN FRANCISCO, California. Fund size $40M, filed Aug 31, 2026, phone 415-496-9733 (from the filing). SEC filing
Upfront Secondary II-C, L.P., LOS ANGELES, California. Fund size $10M, filed Aug 28, 2026, phone 310-785-5100 (from the filing). SEC filing
Operators Studio Fund II, LP, SAN FRANCISCO, California. Fund size $20M, filed Aug 27, 2026, phone (360) 340-9337 (from the filing). SEC filing
EIF Battery SPV, L.P., LAFAYETTE, California. Fund size $10M, filed Aug 27, 2026, phone 310-614-8340 (from the filing). SEC filing
MW VC Stoke Space LLC, LOS ANGELES, California. Fund size $15M, filed Aug 26, 2026, phone 310-341-4585 (from the filing). SEC filing
Tribe Capital AI Fund VIII, L.P., SAN MATEO, California. Fund size $12.7M, filed Aug 26, 2026, phone 7076535302 (from the filing). SEC filing
NewView Capital Fund III-B, L.P., BURLINGAME, California. Fund size $85M, filed Aug 25, 2026, phone 650-416-1590 (from the filing). SEC filing
EXOSCALETON Ventures Fund I, L.P., San Francisco, California. Fund size $15M, filed Aug 25, 2026, phone (360) 340-9337 (from the filing). SEC filing
Acrew CA, L.P., SAN FRANCISCO, California. Fund size $15.0M, filed Aug 25, 2026, phone 650-798-4188 (from the filing). SEC filing
Hanabi Capital Friends Fund II, L.P., SAN FRANCISCO, California. Fund size $100M, filed Aug 24, 2026, phone 408-341-9429 (from the filing). SEC filing
Diffusion V2, LP, SAN FRANCISCO, California. Fund size $40M, filed Aug 20, 2026, phone 650-822-1600 (from the filing). SEC filing
Valo Ventures II, L.P., San Francisco, California. Fund size $20M, filed Aug 19, 2026, phone (858)-699-5170 (from the filing). SEC filing
JULIAN CAPITAL FUND III, LP, SAN FRANCISCO, California. Fund size $50.6M, filed Aug 18, 2026, phone 206.801.6359 (from the filing). SEC filing
Where California funding comes from
The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) runs state programs including the California Competes tax credit and grant, and its Office of Small Business Advocate funds local partners. IBank runs state loan guarantee programs through lenders. Many cities, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, run their own grant and loan programs that open with each budget year.
California also has the largest share of venture funds in the country, which shows in the Form D list below.
Questions
Does California give grants to small businesses?
Some, through specific programs that open with state and city budgets. Most ongoing state help comes as loan guarantees and technical help. The listings show what is open or recurring right now.
Can a California business apply for federal grants?
Yes. Nationwide grants, SBIR topics and SBA loans are open to California businesses; see the full Funding Finder.
Is the Funding Finder free?
Yes. Browsing, filtering and the weekly match email are free. You never need an account to see the listings.
Where do the listings come from?
Federal grants come from the Grants.gov API, SBIR and STTR topics from SBIR.gov, venture funds from the SEC Form D quarterly data set, and every other program was checked by hand on its official page. Each listing links to its source.
How do you keep it current?
A refresh runs every Monday morning. It pulls the federal data again, removes anything past its deadline, re-checks every official link and hides programs whose page has gone dead.
Do you take a cut if I get funded?
No. KenjiAI does not take a fee or commission from any program listed in the Finder. Apply directly on the official site.
Sources: Grants.gov, SBIR.gov, the SEC Form D data set and each program's official page. KenjiAI takes no fee from any program listed here. Data refreshed Oct 30, 2026; the refresh runs every Monday. See also our funding and credit partners and other free tools.