Economic Development Collaborative | California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)

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Visit: Economic Development Collaborative

Our Mission

The EDC Accelerate Program drives inclusive innovation and technology-based entrepreneurship across Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Its mission is to connect diverse founders, startups, and small businesses with the resources, mentorship, and partnerships needed to scale and compete in advanced manufacturing, defense, and maritime technology sectors. Anchored at FATHOMWERX and supported by collaborations with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division, the Port of Hueneme, and regional universities, EDC Accelerate fosters commercialization, workforce agility, and equitable access to capital. Through innovation, collaboration, and inclusion, the program strengthens California’s economy and builds pathways for sustainable, high-quality job growth.

We’d love to connect with you!

Located in Camarillo

4001 Mission Oaks Blvd
Suite A-1

Counties Served

San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles

Contact Info

ray.bowman@edcsbdc.org
805-409-9159

What Innovation
Means to Us

Innovation in California means turning ideas into impact by connecting diverse entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry partners to create real solutions. For EDC Accelerate, it’s about collaboration—linking science, technology, and community to drive inclusive growth, strengthen regional economies, and build a more resilient, future-ready California.

Meet Our Director

Dr. Ray Bowman directs the EDC Accelerate Program, part of California’s Accelerate California Initiative, advancing inclusive innovation across Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties in partnership with FATHOMWERX, NSWC Port Hueneme, and the Port of Hueneme. With 30+ years in international trade, logistics, and entrepreneurship, he also leads the EDC Small Business Development Center, serving over 2,100 firms annually, and chairs the District Export Council of Southern California. A Doctor of Business Administration and educator at Babson, CSU Channel Islands, and EMLYON, Dr. Bowman’s award-winning work spans SME growth, defense innovation, and global trade policy.

Dr. Ray Bowman, Director

7 CalOSBA awarded Innovation Grants,
with more on the way

$100k

Domina Therapeutics, Inc.

Domina Therapeutics develops therapies for cognitive disorders, aiming to restore neural network communication and address neurodegenerative diseases.

$100k

Quantum Energy

Quantum Energy Inc. is developing a groundbreaking predictive analytics software platform that quantifies the public health, ecosystem, and economic benefits of clean energy projects.

$50k

Hikari Medical Technologies, LLC

Hikari Medical Technologies creates technology for precise drug dosing and non-invasive drug monitoring, using nanoparticles and wearable platforms.

$50k

Nereid Biomaterials, Inc.

Nereid Biomaterials produces ocean-degradable bioplastics for marine industry use, helping prevent microplastic pollution in sensitive aquatic environments.

$50k

FactHub It

FactHub It offers an online application that summarizes news stories from various sources for quick and easy news digestion.

$50k

Deeper Breath AI (Aeros Mask)

Deeper Breath AI provides AI-powered portable lung imaging and diagnostics solutions, making advanced respiratory testing accessible in critical care settings.

$50k

ReBlood Rx

ReBlood Rx develops hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers for use where conventional blood transfusions are not possible, supporting emergency and field medicine.

Industry Sectors Our Hub Serves

Defense and Dual-Use Technologies

Maritime and Ocean Technologies

Advanced Manufacturing and Materials

Aerospace and Autonomous Systems

Biotechnology and Medical Devices

Clean Energy and Blue Economy Solutions

Digital and Artificial Intelligence Applications

Signature Programs We Offer

The EDC Accelerate Hub offers several signature programs designed to advance technology commercialization, startup growth, and inclusive innovation across Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties:

FATHOMWERX Innovation Lab & Demonstration Series

Hands-on prototyping, testing, and Navy–industry technology demonstrations hosted at the 60,000 sq. ft. FATHOMWERX Lab.

SBIR/STTR Readiness and Capital Access Program

Advises entrepreneurs on preparing competitive proposals and connecting to funding and investors.

Defense Tech & Dual-Use Commercialization Clinics

Workshops and mentorship connecting startups to DoD contracting, procurement, and test-and-evaluation opportunities.

Entrepreneurial Training & Advisory Network

Over 4,000 hours of one-on-one advising and 17+ targeted trainings annually.

University Partnership Pipeline

Collaborations with UCSB, CSU Channel Islands, and Pepperdine linking students, researchers, and startups to innovation and commercialization projects.

Partners for Capital Access

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) – such as EDC Loan Fund, Ventura County Credit Union, and other regional lenders expanding access to early-stage and growth capital.
Angel and Venture Networks – including AngelCon / HotHouse, Hub101 Ventures, and emerging investor groups in the Central Coast innovation corridor.
Federal and State Programs – assistance with SBIR/STTR, DoD innovation contracts, and the CalOSBA Innovation Grant Program.

Banking and Financial Institutions – partnerships with City National Bank, Mechanics Bank, and others engaged in community reinvestment and tech-sector lending.
Export and Trade Finance Partners – including EXIM Bank and U.S. Commercial Service for globally scaling firms.

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Partners in Our Resource Network

EDC Accelerate Hub
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD)
NavalX Ventura Tech Bridge
FATHOMWERX Lab
Area 805 Autonomous Innovation Center
Department of Defense SBIR/STTR Program Office
U.S. Commercial Service / U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)
Technology Management Program (TMP)
California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI)
Office of Technology & Industry Alliances (OTIA)
California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI)

California Lutheran University (CLU) – Hub101
Pepperdine University
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SBDC / HotHouse / AngelCon)
Ventura College / Moorpark College / Oxnard College
EMLYON Business School (France)
SCORE Ventura County
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV)
Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC)
APEX Accelerator (formerly PTAC)
Ventura County Economic Development Association (VCEDA)
Ventura County Business Alliance
Ventura Bioscience Alliance

Economic Vitality Corporation of San Luis Obispo County (EVC)
Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce
SBDC Network Partners: EDC SBDC, Santa Barbara City College SBDC, Cal Poly SBDC, and the broader LA Regional SBDC network
Capital Access and Financial Partners
EDC Loan Fund (CDFI)
Ventura County Credit Union (VCCU)
Mechanics Bank
City National Bank
AngelCon / HotHouse Angel Network
Hub101 Ventures
Women’s Venture Fund / MicroLenders of California Network
Export–Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) – Export finance for global markets

Our Signature Event

The EDC Accelerate Hub offers several signature programs designed to advance technology commercialization, startup growth, and inclusive innovation across Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties:

FATHOMWERX Innovation Lab & Demonstration Series – Hands-on prototyping, testing, and Navy–industry technology demonstrations hosted at the 60,000 sq. ft. FATHOMWERX Lab.
SBIR/STTR Readiness and Capital Access Program – Advises entrepreneurs on preparing competitive proposals and connecting to funding and investors.
Defense Tech & Dual-Use Commercialization Clinics – Workshops and mentorship connecting startups to DoD contracting, procurement, and test-and-evaluation opportunities.
Entrepreneurial Training & Advisory Network – Over 4,000 hours of one-on-one advising and 17+ targeted trainings annually.
University Partnership Pipeline – Collaborations with UCSB, CSU Channel Islands, and Pepperdine linking students, researchers, and startups to innovation and commercialization projects.