CalSIP
California
Description
California Capital Infusion Program (CalSIP/CIP) is a state-funded grant program administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) that provides $3 million annually in matching funds to California's five Small Business Development Center (SBDC) networks. The program helps small businesses access capital by funding technical assistance services focused on improving loan readiness, securing SBIR/STTR grants, preparing for investor pitches, and navigating the financing landscape.
CIP funding enables SBDCs to provide one-on-one counseling and business training to help small businesses become more bankable and investable. The program supports businesses seeking various forms of capital including SBA loans, non-traditional financing, non-dilutive grants (SBIR/STTR), and equity investments from angels and venture capitalists.
For California-based entrepreneurs and small businesses, CIP-funded SBDC services provide free or low-cost access to expert advisors who can help prepare loan applications, develop financial projections, create investor pitch decks, and navigate federal grant programs - all critical steps toward securing growth capital.
Eligibility
Program Structure
Important Note: CIP is NOT a direct grant program for small businesses. It funds the five California SBDC networks to provide FREE technical assistance services to small businesses seeking capital.
Who Can Access CIP-Funded Services
- California small businesses seeking any form of capital infusion
- Startups and existing businesses working toward becoming more bankable/investable
- Entrepreneurs preparing to apply for loans, grants, or equity investment
- Technology companies seeking SBIR/STTR federal grants
- Businesses at any stage from pre-revenue to scaling
Types of Capital Supported
Debt Funding:
- SBA loans (7(a), 504, microloans)
- Traditional bank loans
- Non-traditional financing (revenue-based, merchant cash advances)
- Convertible debt
Non-Dilutive Funding:
- SBIR/STTR Phase 0, I, II grants
- Federal and state grant programs
- Other research and innovation grants
Equity Capital:
- Angel investments
- Venture capital
- Crowdfunding equity
Services Provided Through CIP
- Credit and loan readiness consulting: Improving credit scores, financial statements, business plans
- SBIR/STTR application support: Phases 0-2 proposal development and submission
- Financial business planning: Cash flow projections, financial modeling, budgeting
- Investor preparation: Pitch deck development, investor targeting, due diligence prep
- Strategic planning: Go-to-market strategies, commercialization roadmaps
- Bootstrapping guidance: Self-funding strategies and milestone planning
Ideal Fit
✓ Excellent for:
- California-based small businesses seeking any type of capital
- Technology companies pursuing SBIR/STTR grants
- Businesses needing help with loan applications and financial documentation
- Entrepreneurs preparing for investor pitches
- Companies working to improve creditworthiness
- Businesses seeking strategic guidance on capital strategy
- Startups developing commercialization roadmaps
✗ Not available for:
- Businesses located outside California
- Direct cash grants to businesses (this funds SBDCs, not businesses directly)
- Businesses not seeking capital infusion
- Businesses unwilling to engage in ongoing technical assistance
Application Process
How to Access CIP-Funded Services
| Step | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Find your local SBDC | — | Contact one of California's five SBDC networks in your region |
| Initial consultation | 1-2 weeks | Meet with SBDC advisor to discuss capital needs and goals |
| Service plan development | 1 week | Create customized plan for capital readiness support |
| Ongoing advising | Varies | Regular meetings, document review, application support |
| Application/pitch preparation | 4-12 weeks | Complete loan applications, grant proposals, or pitch materials |
| Capital pursuit | Varies | Submit applications, meet with lenders/investors |
| Follow-up support | Ongoing | Post-funding support for compliance and growth |
California's Five SBDC Networks
-
Northern California SBDC
- Regions: North Coast, North State, Sacramento area
- Lead: Humboldt State University
-
UC Merced SBDC
- Regions: Central Valley
- Lead: University of California, Merced
-
Southwest SBDC
- Regions: Central Coast, Inland Empire, Orange County
- Lead: Southwestern College
-
Los Angeles Region SBDC
- Regions: Los Angeles County
- Lead: Long Beach Community College District
-
San Francisco Bay Area SBDC
- Regions: Bay Area (9 counties)
- Lead: Office of Economic and Workforce Development
What to Expect
First Meeting:
- Assessment of current business status and capital needs
- Review of financial readiness (credit, financials, business plan)
- Discussion of capital options (debt, grants, equity)
- Development of action plan with milestones
Ongoing Support:
- Regular one-on-one advising sessions
- Document preparation and review
- Financial modeling and projections
- Practice pitches and application reviews
- Introductions to lenders, investors, or grant programs
Capital Infusion Milestones: The program tracks successful capital events including:
- Loan approvals and closings
- SBIR/STTR grant awards
- Equity investment closings
- Other capital infusions
CIP Program Requirements (for SBDCs)
- SBDCs must track and document all capital infusion milestones
- Services must be directly connected to capital acquisition goals
- Quarterly reporting on client progress and capital secured
- Businesses must show steady improvement toward bankability/investability
Time Commitment
- Initial assessment: 1-2 hours
- Ongoing advising: 2-10 hours per month depending on needs
- Application prep: 10-40 hours for major applications (SBIR grants, VC pitches)
- Duration: Typically 3-12 months from start to capital infusion
Contact
California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)
- CalOSBA Official Website
- CIP Program Information
- Address: 1325 J Street, Suite 1800, Sacramento, CA 95814
- Contact CalOSBA
Find Your Local SBDC
California SBDC Network Locator:
- Find Your Local SBDC
- Phone: 1-800-303-6600
Regional SBDC Networks:
Northern California SBDC
- Website: www.norcalsbdc.org
- Coverage: North Coast, North State, Sacramento, Shasta, Siskiyou regions
UC Merced SBDC
- Website: sbdc.ucmerced.edu
- Coverage: Central Valley (Fresno, Madera, Merced, Kings, Tulare counties)
Southwest SBDC
- Website: www.sbditc.org
- Coverage: Central Coast, Inland Empire, Orange County
Los Angeles Region SBDC
- Website: www.smallbizla.org
- Coverage: Los Angeles County
San Francisco Bay Area SBDC
- Coverage: 9 Bay Area counties
Program Statistics (2024-2025)
- Annual Program Budget: $3 million
- SBDC Networks Funded: 5
- Capital Infusion Focus: Loans, grants, equity investments
- Service Type: Free one-on-one advising and training
Related California Programs
Technical Assistance Program (TAP)
- $23M annual funding for broader SBDC technical assistance
- Covers general business consulting beyond capital focus
Accelerate California Hubs
- Innovation hub network supporting tech entrepreneurs
- Up to $100K grants for businesses cultivated in hubs
- 13 hubs across California regions
- Focus on SBIR/STTR, innovation commercialization
SSBCI Technical Assistance
- Federal State Small Business Credit Initiative funding
- Capital readiness coaching for SEDI-owned businesses
- Supports access to SSBCI-funded capital programs
Key Resources
What Makes CIP Unique
- No cost to businesses: SBDC services are free or very low cost
- Expert advisors: Experienced business consultants and industry specialists
- Capital-focused: All advising tied to helping businesses secure funding
- Comprehensive support: From credit repair to VC pitch preparation
- Statewide network: Access to resources across California
- Federal grant expertise: Strong support for SBIR/STTR applications
- Long-term relationship: Ongoing support throughout growth journey
Recent Program Years
- 2025-26: Program announcement released
- 2024-25: $3M allocated across 5 SBDC networks
- 2023-24: Continued focus on post-pandemic capital access
- Historical: Program has run annually since 2018
Success Metrics
CIP-funded SBDCs track:
- Number of businesses counseled
- Hours of capital-focused consulting
- Capital infusion events (loans, grants, equity)
- Total dollar amount of capital secured
- Jobs created through capital infusion
- Business starts and expansions