California Competes Grant Program
California Competes Grant Program (CCGP)
Status not published
Run as discrete rounds subject to state budget appropriation. Round 3 ran 24 July 2023 to 14 August 2023 with awards announced 16 November 2023 and is closed. Monitor grants.ca.gov and business.ca.gov for any successor round.
Figures are from the most recent published round (Round 3): '$120,000,000' estimated available, with individual awards of '$5,000,000 - $36,000,000'. Whether a further round is funded depends on the state budget each year - do not assume these amounts recur. This is a cash grant alternative to the California Competes Tax Credit aimed at 'businesses for whom a non-refundable tax credit would not provide a significant financial benefit', including startups with minimal tax liability.
California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)
public · regional
Deadline: annual_call — Run as discrete rounds subject to state budget appropriation. Round 3 ran 24 July 2023 to 14 August 2023 with awards announced 16 November 2023 and is closed. Monitor grants.ca.gov and business.ca.gov for any successor round.
This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.
Moderate — a form and supporting documents.
Who can apply
- Sectors: manufacturing, deeptech, climate, any
- Stage: growth
- Locally registered entity required
The 500-job / $10 million investment thresholds mean this is realistically only reachable by well-funded scale-ups (large-scale manufacturing, battery, semiconductor and biotech buildouts), not early-stage startups. State programme - no SAM.gov registration or UEI required.
How to apply
- Confirm you can commit to creating at least 500 new full-time California jobs, or investing at least $10 million in facility construction/renovation, or meeting both thresholds in a high-unemployment or high-poverty area. — link
- Submit the online application during an open round.
- GO-Biz evaluates, negotiates an agreement and the Committee approves; grant funds are paid against milestone achievement.
What you will need
- Online application with jobs and investment commitments
- Financial statements
- Negotiated grant agreement
Source. https://www.grants.ca.gov/grants/california-competes-grant-round-3/ — checked 2026-08-14
"$5,000,000 – $36,000,000"