CalOSBA in Central California

The California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalSOBA) serves as the voice of small business, representing your views and interests and advocating for equitable access to capital, markets and resources.

CalOSBA’s regional teams live and work near you so we can participate in local events and get to know our small business communities from the inside out. We want to meet you, answer your questions and support your events.

Local & Regional Economic Conferences | Ribbon-cuttings | Workshops & Webinars |

Chamber of Commerce Meetings | Lending Events | & More

Central California Team

Bob Adams

Ted Hillman

Grants and Loans

Discover grant and loan programs for small businesses. On our website you can:

Get details on upcoming grant and loan programs
Find current grant and loan opportunities
Learn how to apply for a funding program

Learn More

Small Business Support Centers

California funds a network of Small Business Support Centers that provide no-cost one-on-one consulting and no-cost or low-cost training services and programs to small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Their expert advisors can assist you with all stages of your business including startup business plans, access to financing, growth, resiliency plans, e-commerce, marketing and more.

Find a Business Advisor

State of California Procurement Marketplace

Cal eProcure
Cal eProcure is an online portal that gives businesses access to state bidding, contracting and certification resources in one location. Learn more at the Cal eProcure website

Department of General Services
The Department of General Services (DGS) Procurement Division (PD) sets state procurement policies and provides purchasing services. It delegates purchasing authority to state departments; certifies small and/or disabled veteran businesses to do business with the state; and provides innovative purchasing methods that save taxpayers’ dollars, integrating quality solutions to meet customers’ needs. Learn more at the DGS website.

Source Diverse Source Local

Source Diverse Source Local is a public-private collaboration to foster an inclusive procurement process and a resilient California-based supply chain. Source Diverse Source Local supports diversity, equity and inclusion in California’s procurements by increasing state dollars spent with diverse and/or local California businesses.

This initiative aims to develop new and existing small businesses through procurement readiness programs to obtain manufacturing, government and/or corporate contracts.

Learn more here.

Resources

CalOSBA

CA Business Investment Services (CalBIS)

California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (iBank)

California Secretary of State

Small Business Administration

Small Business Development Centers

Employment Training Panel (ETP)

Apex Accelerators

Don’t Be Scared, Get Prepared

Outsmart Disaster provides California businesses and nonprofits with the training and resources needed to prepare for and recover from all types of business interruptions.

Download and customize your Business Resiliency Roadmap
Attend an online training webinar
Schedule an in-person training for your community

Trainings available in Spanish!

Get Ready to Outsmart Disaster

Small Business Success Stories from California’s Small Business Center Network

CalOSBA’s small business support partners and grant programs provide California’s small businesses with no-cost or low-cost 1:1 consulting and training to help them get started, manage, and grow. Learn how business-owners in a community near you took advantage of these services to improve the outlook for their businesses.

B AWESUM 

by Ginger Cordoba | August 4, 2025 | Art Therapy, Central California, Community Improvement, Fresno County | 0 Comments

When life threw its toughest challenges at Melanie Glass, she turned inward—and then to art. As a Creative and Mixed Media Abstract Artist, Melanie found more than just expression in paint…

Triassic Vinyards

by Editorial Team | April 11, 2023 | Agricultural, Central California, Kern County, Winery | 0 Comments

One of the most important reasons to work with a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is the ability to access and use their resources, networks, and expertise. SBDCs offer their members access to funding, market analysis…

Aunties Babies Family Childcare LLC

by Abdul Afridi | January 27, 2026 | Central California, Childcare, Kern County | 0 Comments

When Shanita Ford became a mother at 37, she didn’t just look for childcare—she built it. CA WBC Network is California’s only coordinated economic She imagined a place where children could feel safe, loved, and inspired,…

TRIC Robotics

by Abdul Afridi | December 19, 2024 | Accelerate CA, Agriculture Technology, Central California, San Luis Obispo County | 0 Comments

Founder, Adam Stager, and his team were inspired to start TRIC Robotics with the goal of creating a more predictable and sustainable future for agriculture by helping farmers collect data on crop health and…

Sobremesa Culinaria

by Abdul Afridi | April 1, 2026 | Central California, Food and Hospitality, Private Chef, Stanislaus County | 0 Comments

Damara Benderas, chef and owner of Sobremesa Culinaria, has built a business that celebrates the richness and complexity of Mexican cuisine. Her services go…

Mocha Magic Cafe & Bakeshop

by Ginger Cordoba | January 24, 2025 | Bakery, Central California, Coffee Shop, Stanislaus County | 0 Comments

When Maria Apodaca’s employer of 20 years was sold, she found herself in a predicament that is familiar to many. She decided it was time to turn her dream of owning her own business into a reality. Maria says small business owners should…

Read All Success Stories

Accelerate California Inclusive Innovation Hubs in Your Region

Water, Energy & Technology Center

Fresno
Hosted by the California State University, Fresno, the Water, Energy, and Technology (WET) Center serves diverse-owned companies in the Central Valley in key industries like water, energy, food, and agriculture. The Center has reached over 250 entrepreneurs and secured over $500,000 in funding.

ACCELERATE CALIFORNIA | WET Center

Learn More

iHub San Joaquin

Stockton
iHub San Joaquin leverages diverse assets in the community to stimulate partnerships, drive economic development, and create jobs and support the development of sustainable technologies in three areas: Health Care, Agri-Business, and Sustainable Construction Technology.

Learn More

Kern Inclusive Entrepreneurship Hub

Bakersfield
Launched through a partnership between 3C Capital Fund and the Northern California Black Chamber Presidents Association, the Kern Inclusive Entrepreneurship Hub provides classroom learning, mentoring and coaching to entrepreneurs in Kern, Mono, and Inyo Counties.

Learn More