California Office of the Small Business Advocate

Small Business, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship

The California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development supports economic growth and innovation and ensures that ALL California small businesses and innovative startups have the information and direct support they need to better navigate resources, programs and regulations. CalOSBA serves as the voice of small businesses, representing their views and interests across the state and advocating for equitable access to capital, markets, and networks so that all California small businesses successfully start, manage, grow and become more resilient.

Meet the Leadership Team

Office of the Small Business Advocate

Tara-Lynn-GrayTara Lynn Gray Director of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)

Tara Lynn Gray was sworn in on April 26, 2021, as the 5th Director of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate. She serves as the voice for California’s 4.2 million small businesses in the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

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Michelle-Nguyen

Michelle Radmand

Deputy Director
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Sara Curtis

Sara Curtis

Chief of Staff
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Chris Earl

Chris Earl

Assistant Deputy Director,Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Southern California Regional Advisor
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Clair Whitmer

Assistant Deputy Director, Regional Economic Engagement and Northern Regional Advisor
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Shalawn Garcia

Shalawn Garcia

Grant Programs Supervisor
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fatima mcalister

Fatima McAlister

Executive Assistant to the Director
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Henna Bains

Special Assistant II to the Director
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Sarah Gonzales

Sarah Gonzales

Special Assistant I to the Director
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Click here to learn more about CalOSBA's history
Jan 2012 Office Established
June 2018

California Small Business Development Technical Assistance Expansion Act of 2018 Established

This program expanded small business services, such as free or low-cost one-on-one consulting and low-cost training, and focused on underserved business groups, including women, people of color, veterans and low-wealth, rural, and disaster impacted communities.

May 2019

Entrepreneurship Task Force Established

Serves as a bridge to SMBs to help California maintain its entrepreneurial and innovation leadership.

Dec 2019

Entrepreneurship Task Force Launched Listening Tour

Four listening sessions were held in Chatsworth, Fontana, Los Angeles, and Stockton to discuss barriers in capital access, procurement, and the global marketplace.

Mar 2020

Entrepreneurship Task Force Launched COVID-19 Rapid Response Webinars

Webinar sessions to help small businesses pivot and become resilient during COVID-19.

July 2020

Calling ALL Californians: #ShopSafeShopLocal Initiative Launched

Shop Safe Shop Local initiative was designed to help small businesses get digital, access e-commerce tools, learn more about industry guidance, locate small business centers near you, and access PPE.

Oct 2020

Get Digital CA! Initiative Launched

Get Digital CA! is an e-commerce initiative to promote accelerators and intensive trainings to build the skills necessary to compete in an online marketplace and drive Californians to support small businesses through online festivals.

Dec 2020

California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Launched

The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program provides competitive micro grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to eligible small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19 and the related health and safety restrictions

March 2021

Nonprofit Cultural Institutions Grant Program Launched

The Nonprofit Cultural Institutions Grant Programs was established to provide COVID-19 relief grants to eligible nonprofit cultural institutions in order to support their continued operation.

Apr 2021

Source Diverse Source Local Initiative Launched

This public-private partnership was developed to strengthen an inclusive procurement process and resilient California-based supply chain.

Sep 2021

CalOSBA Releases New Small Business Portal

The new calosba.ca.gov connects California’s small business community with critical resources available through the state-funded small business technical assistance program and other state resources.

Oct 2021

California Venues Grant Program Launched

The California Venues Grant Program was established to support eligible independent live event venues adversely impacted by COVID-19 to support their continued operation.

Oct 2021

California Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program (MBCRG) Opens Applications to County Grantmakers

The MBCRG Program provides approximately fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) in one-time grant funding to California’s micro-businesses to be administered at the county level.

Feb 2022

California Dream Fund Program Launched

The California Dream Fund Program is a one-time grant program to provide microgrants and seed capital to small businesses and entrepreneurs who complete a comprehensive training curriculum conducted by select Technical Assistance Expansion Program (TAEP) network centers.

Apr 2022

CalOSBA Announced the 2022 Designees of the Inclusive Innovation Hubs (iHub2)

The Accelerate California Innovation Hubs program focus is on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The 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 underserved geographies and regions.

May 2022

2022 Entrepreneurship & Economic Mobility Task Force (EEMTF) Formed

The Task Force was formed to propel inclusive entrepreneurship and to ensure that all California small businesses have access to the resources they need to startup, grow and scale.

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California Office of the Small Business Advocate
1325 J Street, Suite 1800

Sacramento, CA 95814
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