Helping founders find community and connections
Accelerates commercialization of UC San Diego technologies with dual-use potential by providing funding, mentorship, and networks to help researchers and startups develop solutions for both civilian and defense applications, advancing them toward real-world deployment.
Accelerator
in
La Jolla
UC San Diego Office of Innovation & Commercialization
Provides a hands-on, supportive environment to help teams refine business ideas, develop roadmaps, solve problems, and build pitches, preparing them to apply for top accelerators or raise early-stage funding. No fees, equity, or industry restrictions.
Training/Course
in
Santa Clara
Ciocca Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship – Santa Clara University
Offers courses, workshops, and individualized support to Latina entrepreneurs, focusing on cooperative business development, financial literacy, leadership, and technology, while fostering community, providing technical assistance, and creating opportunities for networking and business growth.
Training/Course
in
Oakland
Prospera
A 2-year immersive fellowship for entrepreneurial scientists and engineers building hard tech startups. Provides living stipend, $350K+ in direct support, mentorship, and access to research infrastructure. Locations in Berkeley, Boston, Houston, New York, and remote (Anywhere).
Fellowship/Accelerator
in
Berkeley
Activate Global Inc.
Online training program for farmers, ranchers, and food system entrepreneurs covering small business fundamentals, disaster preparedness, and Ranch to Retail curriculum. Part of Siskiyou Economic Development's rural entrepreneur support portfolio alongside the Microenterprise Program (providing micro-grants and counseling to low-to-moderate income business owners in Weed and Dunsmuir).
Training/Course
in
Yreka
Siskiyou Economic Development
Offers ongoing one-on-one coaching, goal setting, and resource connections to help food entrepreneurs from under-resourced communities in Sacramento grow successful, fully permitted businesses. Only open to graduates of a foundational microenterprise academy.
Incubator
in
Sacramento
Alchemist Kitchen
Provides Bay Area entrepreneurs with a seven-week program offering hands-on training, mentorship, and resources in business management, legal compliance, marketing, and financial skills, culminating in a showcase at pop-up events and ongoing support.
Accelerator
in
Oakland
Golden State Warriors Community Foundation
Ranked #1 U.S. accelerator by MIT/Rice University's Seed Accelerator Rankings Project. A highly selective seed-stage accelerator in San Francisco and New York, accepting ~15 teams twice per year from ~2,000+ applicants. The 10-week intensive program covers product-market fit, target market definition, first validation, and investor meeting preparation. Has launched 150+ companies with $1.8B total funding raised. Portfolio includes Postmates, Buffer, Periscope Data, DroneDeploy, and 3 unicorns.
Accelerator
in
San Francisco
AngelPad
Equips undergraduates with skills, mentorship, and resources to launch startups, grow professionally, and lead with purpose through hands-on programs, expert guidance, and access to campus resources, fostering the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders.
Community/Networking
in
Irvine
UCI Beall Applied Innovation – The Cove @ UCI
Provides expertise and no-cost services to help small businesses navigate the process of finding, bidding, and winning government contracts at the federal, state, and local levels.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County APEX Accelerator (East LA Entrepreneurial Center)
Provides no-cost counseling, training, and resources to help businesses secure and perform on government contracts, including assistance with certifications, bid opportunities, proposal preparation, and subcontracting, serving multiple counties in Northern California.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Sacramento
California Capital APEX Accelerator
Provides one-on-one consulting, training, and resources to help small businesses compete for and win government contracts, offering expertise in bids, proposals, certifications, and compliance to strengthen regional economic growth.
Coaching/Consulting
in
National City
APEX Accelerator – San Diego, Orange, Imperial
Provides confidential, no-cost advising and resources to help businesses compete for and win government contracts, offering one-on-one counseling, custom bid matching, and training to support success in local, state, and federal procurement.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Arcata
Norcal APEX Accelerator
Supports entrepreneurs and startups developing dual-use technologies through mentorship, resources, and collaboration with the Department of Defense, universities, and federal labs to refine innovations and scale businesses. Offers extensive support for navigating SBIR/STTR programs and securing government contracts.
Accelerator
in
Provides creative entrepreneurs with business skills, marketing strategies, and networking opportunities to help them start or grow their ventures, diversify income, and connect with the local arts community through expert-led workshops and peer collaboration.
Training/Course
in
Crescent City
North Coast SBDC (Del Norte)
Provides creative entrepreneurs with business skills, marketing strategies, and networking opportunities to help them start or grow their ventures, diversify income, and build connections within the local arts community.
Training/Course
in
Eureka
North Coast SBDC (Humboldt)
Accelerates sustainable capital for cleantech entrepreneurs in Sacramento by providing training, technical assistance, funding strategy, networking, and a stipend, with a focus on clean mobility and energy innovations to advance regional decarbonization goals.
Training/Course
in
Sacramento
Build Momentum — Ascend Accelerator
Provides a nonprofit coworking laboratory ecosystem for biotech startups and innovators, offering flexible lab space, 24/7 equipment access, operational support, and a collaborative community to accelerate scientific ventures without taking equity or IP claims.
Incubator
in
Alameda
BADASS Labs – Alameda Atlantic Ave
An independent wet lab incubator providing affordable shared laboratory facilities, equipment, and community access to biotech entrepreneurs and scientists in Berkeley. Supports experiments from molecular biology to synthetic biology and biochemistry.
Incubator
in
Berkeley
Berkeley BioLabs
UC Berkeley's flagship startup accelerator program providing capital, mentorship, and resources to transform early-stage startups into fundable companies. Part of the Berkeley entrepreneurship ecosystem through the Haas School of Business.
Accelerator
in
Berkeley
Berkeley-Haas Entrepreneurship Program
Annual business competition organized by the Mike and Renee Child Institute, now open to the general public (previously UC Davis only). Provides a forum for entrepreneurs to collaborate, develop, and test business visions. Offers mentorship, team building, education, financing, and networking. $100,000+ in prizes awarded annually; 2025 first prize: $25,000. Past winners span biomedical devices, agtech, sustainable products, and social impact ventures.
Competition
in
Davis
UC Davis Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Year-long incubator open to all UC San Diego students, providing 24/7 co-working space, prototyping funds, mentorship, and seed funding eligibility. Housed in The Basement, UCSD's student innovation hub, it supports student entrepreneurs from idea stage through early traction.
Incubator
in
La Jolla
The Basement – UC San Diego
The world's only port-led incubator, established 2016. Supports sustainable aquaculture and port-related blue tech ventures through pilot project facilitation, funding, access to key port assets, and permitting/entitlement assistance. $2.35M in direct funding provided to 12 portfolio companies that have collectively leveraged $5.8M in R&D funds.
Incubator
in
San Diego
Port of San Diego
Empowers entrepreneurs with tools, mentorship, and community to grow for-profit businesses, offering a focused curriculum, workshops, networking, and investment opportunities, culminating in a Demo Day pitch event for investors. No equity or tuition required.
Accelerator
in
Santa Clara
Ciocca Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship – Santa Clara University
Offers an intensive, 8-week, in-person program guiding early-stage founders through business planning, legal setup, customer acquisition, financial fundamentals, and pitch preparation, culminating in a Demo Day with investor feedback and networking opportunities.
Training/Course
in
Livermore
Daybreak Labs
Connects small business owners with experienced mentors for free, personalized, virtual guidance in areas like finance, marketing, and operations, helping them overcome challenges, grow revenue, and create jobs through one-on-one support tailored to their goals.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Oakland
Pacific Community Ventures
\- Guides entrepreneurs through idea generation, validation, development, and business launch in a structured 14-week format. \- Helps founders refine and strengthen their pitch, progressing from initial workshopping to public presentations. \- Empowers founders with expert insights, peer learning, accountability, and actionable growth strategies in a four-week, theme-based format. \- Offers free, weekly interactive workshops for students, members, and the community to learn, collaborate, and create. \- Provides a one-week experience for high school and college students to test startup ideas and validate customer problems. \- Facilitates community collaboration to solve business challenges, launch ventures, and gain practical experience over eight weeks. \- Connects entrepreneurs with peers, tools, and resources to gain new perspectives in a free, supportive environment.
Community/Networking
in
Low-cost physical office and kitchen incubation space for approximately 60 emerging businesses, available at the South of Market (SoMa) headquarters and Bayview Hunters Point locations. Provides affordable professional office space, shared conference rooms, reception and janitorial services, and office equipment. Supported by the Renaissance Women's Business Center (SBA partner) with additional business development services.
Incubator
in
San Francisco
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center – Bayview
Provides confidential, no-cost business advising, training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses in Solano and Napa counties start, grow, and succeed through expert guidance, workshops, and access to funding opportunities.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Fairfield
Solano Napa SBDC
Practical, hands-on training courses supporting entrepreneurs at every stage, from idea development to business launch. Start Smart introduces business fundamentals and the Business Model Canvas for feasibility assessment. The Business Planning Class covers marketing, operations, financial projections, and networking while constructing a complete business plan. Offered in English and Spanish across all Bay Area locations.
Training/Education
in
San Francisco
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center – SoMa
Offers a free 10-week entrepreneurship boot camp for the CSUB and Kern County community, providing guidance from faculty and industry experts on venture creation, technology, marketing, financials, and legal essentials.
Accelerator
in
Bakersfield
Center For Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI)
Provides a free, AI-powered business planner in English and Spanish to help low-to-moderate income entrepreneurs create structured business plans, offering step-by-step guidance and support to overcome barriers to starting and growing a business.
Service
in
Oakland
Centro Community Partners
Northern California's premier startup incubator and co-working space at 411 Main Street, Chico. A CA-GoBiz Accelerate California designated Innovation Hub serving entrepreneurs from survive to thrive. Provides co-working memberships (from $220/month for desk space, $59/month for virtual), mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs, monthly workshops, tech talks, idea jams, and access to a robust network of investors and resource partners. Partners include Chico State, City of Chico, and Tri Counties Bank.
Incubator
in
Chico
ChicoSTART
A semester-based incubator program for founders aged 18+ to accelerate innovative ideas into reality. Through a semester course curriculum, students explore all steps to creating a startup: technical assistance, physical co-working space, subject matter expert and advisor sessions, and access to entrepreneurial resources. Also includes Youth Innovators Lab for ages 16–18. Past cohort graduates include smart business card companies and zero-waste product startups.
Accelerator
in
Chico
ChicoSTART
Provides complimentary business assistance, expert advising, and practical training to help entrepreneurs and established companies in San Luis Obispo County launch, grow, and secure capital investment, fostering innovation and job creation.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Acts as a hub supporting small business start-ups, fostering innovation, and developing a skilled workforce through training, mentorship, and collaboration with local organizations to drive community transformation.
Accelerator
in
Bakersfield
Center For Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI)
A one-year deep tech incubator for UC system-affiliated founders (students, faculty, staff, alumni within 5 years), with cohorts across UC Berkeley, Davis, Merced, and Santa Cruz. Focuses on AI, health tech, sustainability, robotics, climate, and quantum.
Incubator
in
Berkeley
CITRIS Foundry Accelerator
Entrepreneurship training and business support serving the Coastal San Mateo County (Half Moon Bay / Coastside area). Provides business planning courses, one-on-one consulting, and access to Renaissance's Bay Area network for early-stage and existing small business owners in the coastal community.
Training/Education
in
Half Moon Bay
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center – Coastside / Half Moon Bay
A shared-use commercial kitchen incubator in Watsonville providing 13-week technical assistance, bilingual (Spanish/English) support, and workspace to food businesses. Serves Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties. Founded 1979.
Incubator
in
Watsonville
El Pájaro Community Development Corporation
A commercialization pathway program at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in partnership with Sandia National Laboratories, designed to transform deep-tech research into venture-ready opportunities by connecting lab researchers with investors and entrepreneurs.
Accelerator
in
Menlo Park
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
An 11-week, no-cost and no-equity accelerator program for early-stage startups in the western US, run by the UCR Innovation Hub (I-HUB) as part of the Inland SoCal Accelerate Hub initiative funded by CalOSBA.
Accelerator
in
Riverside
Innovation Hub (I-HUB) / Inland SoCal Accelerate Hub
Crucible Ignitor: Helps participants launch startups using West Coast federal and university lab technologies for defense and commercial applications, offering virtual workshops and mentorship for early-stage innovators. Crucible Accelerator: Provides mentorship, resources, and strategic partnership opportunities to help early-stage startups grow and address real-world challenges, with a focus on the Pacific Northwest. APEX Accelerator: Offers expert guidance for businesses seeking government contracts and innovation grants, assisting with certifications, opportunity identification, and proposal preparation for mature-stage companies.
Accelerator
in
Crucible Ignitor: Helps participants launch startups using West Coast federal and university lab technologies for defense and commercial applications, offering virtual workshops and mentorship for early-stage innovators. Crucible Accelerator: Provides mentorship, resources, and strategic partnership opportunities to help early-stage startups grow and address real-world challenges in the Pacific Northwest. APEX Accelerator: Offers expert guidance for businesses seeking government contracts, including certifications and innovation grants, and supports navigation of federal, state, and local procurement platforms.
Accelerator
in
Offers high-intensity support for startups developing dual-use technologies, providing government customer discovery, SBIR/STTR funding guidance, go-to-market assistance, and access to defense networks to accelerate entry into national security and public sector markets.
Accelerator
in
No-cost advising program for tech startups in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, focused on Life Science Technologies, Medical Devices, Biomedical, ICT, and Clean Technologies. Part of the Economic Development Collaborative's (EDC) suite of SBDC services, with additional support through the Accelerate CA Inclusive Innovation Hub.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Camarillo
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC)
A 2-year DOE-funded Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Supports entrepreneurial scientists with a living stipend, $100K+ in research support, startup curriculum, mentorship, and access to Berkeley Lab's world-class facilities.
Fellowship/Accelerator
in
Berkeley
Cyclotron Road
Provides research and development facilities, shared equipment, and a supportive peer community to accelerate the growth of life sciences and deep tech startups, enabling founders to focus resources on building their businesses rather than infrastructure.
Incubator
in
Livermore
Daybreak Labs
Free digital literacy and small business online training for entrepreneurs and business owners in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Covers computer basics and 'Get Your Small Business Online' curriculum. Part of EDC's UPSKILL workforce development initiative, which also provides employer training, job seeker support, and small business owner education.
Training/Course
in
Camarillo
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC)
\- Provides non-dilutive funding and commercialization support to small businesses developing innovative technologies through federal agency partnerships, helping them advance from concept to market with expert guidance and resources. \- Offers a nine-month accelerator to nurture and scale bioscience and healthcare innovations that improve health and wellness in Los Angeles communities, especially those impacted by limited access to new solutions. \- Delivers a nine-month immersive experience supporting innovators to pilot and expand solutions that boost community resilience and adaptability to weather disasters and environmental challenges at no cost.
Accelerator
in
Los Angeles
Larta Institute
Provides bilingual business incubation, technical assistance, and access to capital for underserved entrepreneurs, offering long-term training, counseling, and virtual office services to support start-up growth and business success in the Western United States.
Incubator
in
Fresno
Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation (FAHF)
Offers hands-on learning and experiential events to develop entrepreneurial mindsets in students, featuring workshops led by regional partners and experienced entrepreneurs on topics like innovation, intellectual property, and startup development.
Training/Course
in
Sacramento
Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
A nonprofit fostering an inclusive tech innovation ecosystem in Sacramento by providing hands-on entrepreneurship, tech education, accelerator programs, workforce development, and networking opportunities for underrepresented groups and youth in emerging technology fields.
Accelerator
in
Accelerates Latina immigrant-led cooperative businesses through seed funding, tailored support, leadership coaching, and business incubation, helping founders overcome barriers and dedicate time to growing ventures that benefit their communities and create economic opportunities.
Incubator
in
Oakland
Prospera
Provides expert guidance to UC San Diego innovators on early-stage technologies, commercialization strategies, and startup creation, helping define market cases, build business models, advise on fundraising, and solve common challenges through hands-on mentorship and entrepreneurial experience.
Coaching/Consulting
in
La Jolla
UC San Diego Entrepreneurship Center
Suite of student entrepreneur support at UC Davis: Entrepreneurship in Residence (milestone-based support track with early funding access), daily programming events (VCs @ UCD, Startup Speaker Series, Pitches & Popcorn), and hands-on courses including ENG 108 'Launching a Company' and 'Introduction to Entrepreneurship.' Features a Certificate in Entrepreneurship for undergrads. Cultural Connections initiatives include Build Black, ElevateHer, Accessible Startups, and InnovAmigis for underserved founders.
Training/Education
in
Davis
Student Startup Center
Connects founders and business owners through confidential peer forums, inspiring events, and global learning opportunities, fostering personal and professional growth within a supportive entrepreneurial community focused on collaboration, education, and mutual success.
Community/Networking
in
Sacramento
EO Sacramento
Provides individualized consulting, entrepreneurial education, access to capital, and mentorship for early-stage tech ventures in Inland Southern California, supporting technology commercialization, business development, and SBIR/STTR proposal assistance at no cost, with a strong track record in grant and investment success.
Service
in
Riverside
UCR Office of Technology Partnerships – EPIC
Intensive yearlong program helping entrepreneurs launch cooperative businesses through workshops, technical assistance, and peer learning, focusing on advanced business, communication, and cooperative skills such as marketing, operations, governance, and decision-making.
Training/Course
in
Oakland
Prospera
Offers entrepreneurial training, mentorship, access to funding, and incubation for technology-based startups and innovators in Inland Southern California, supporting commercialization through education, expert guidance, and resources such as co-working space, lab facilities, and proposal development assistance—all at no cost.
Incubator
in
Riverside
UCR Office of Technology Partnerships – EPIC
Pairs UCSF innovators with experienced entrepreneurs to launch new companies, accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries into commercial ventures and providing guidance, mentorship, and business leadership throughout the commercialization process.
Coaching/Consulting
in
San Francisco
UCSF Innovation Ventures
A non-equity community program for startups ready to scale that do not need investment from Expert Dojo. Includes monthly high-level training videos from experts, monthly AMA sessions with Dojo experts, exclusive perks and discounts, growth tracking, and complimentary tickets to Expert Dojo events. Top performers may transition into the Investment Program and receive referrals to outside VCs and investors.
Accelerator
in
Santa Monica
Expert Dojo
Expert Dojo's core accelerator and venture investment program for pre-seed and seed startups. Invests $50K–$100K (SAFE notes) for 3.5%–7% equity. Provides Monday Accountability Sessions, Monthly Mastermind sessions (4/month), weekly expert training videos, warm introductions to VCs and investors, and Quarterly Demo Days. Over 260+ startups invested since 2018. Ranked among most active pre-seed investors in U.S. after Techstars and Y Combinator. Portfolio companies have raised an average of $3.7M. Focus on minority- and female-founded tech companies.
Accelerator
in
Santa Monica
Expert Dojo
Hosts public events for Latina immigrants to connect, access business resources, and explore opportunities, including annual gatherings like International Women’s Day and a summit for Latina entrepreneurs to learn, showcase businesses, and collaborate.
Training/Course
in
Oakland
Prospera
Offers workshops and one-on-one advising to help new and small farmers develop business skills, create business plans, understand regulations, access financing, and connect with local networks to grow their agricultural enterprises.
Training/Course
in
Eureka
North Coast SBDC (Humboldt)
Offers workshops and one-on-one advising to help small and new farmers develop business skills, create business plans, understand regulations, access financing, and connect with local networks to grow or launch their farm businesses.
Training/Course
in
Crescent City
North Coast SBDC (Del Norte)
A 3-month accelerator exclusively for tech nonprofits with a working MVP. Provides $25K+ in grant funding (no equity) and post-program support through the Growth Platform. Based in San Francisco, serving nonprofits using technology for social good.
Accelerator
in
San Francisco
Fast Forward
Offers a free, multi-part training series for aspiring and current food business owners in Alameda County, covering business models, licensing, financing, marketing, and practical steps to launch and grow food ventures.
Training/Course
in
Hayward
Alameda County SBDC (East Bay SBDC)
Cohort-based training program for emerging food entrepreneurs in Siskiyou County, from cottage producers to small processors. Covers branding, licensing, financial planning, and route-to-market strategies. Supported by the Shasta-Cascade Innovation Hub (IHub) and SBDC one-on-one business counseling.
Training/Course
in
Yreka
Siskiyou Economic Development
Provides personalized, no-cost advising and training for food and hospitality businesses, connecting clients with industry experts to support startup, growth, and operations, including specialized programs for artisan foods, food trucks, and packaged goods.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Hayward
Alameda County SBDC (East Bay SBDC)
Provides personalized, no-cost advising and training for food and hospitality businesses, offering expert guidance on starting, growing, and managing operations, with specialized programs for startups, packaged goods, food trucks, and marketing.
Coaching/Consulting
in
San Francisco
San Francisco SBDC
Accelerates women-led technology companies through mentorship, leadership coaching, business gap analysis, and pitch preparation, providing access to networks, subject matter experts, and support to help founders grow and scale their businesses.
Accelerator
in
Sacramento
Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
UC Berkeley's only student-run nonprofit pre-seed incubator, offering a 3-month semester-long program for undergraduate and graduate student founders. Provides individualized mentorship, investor connections, and 2 CS course units—with no equity taken.
Incubator
in
Berkeley
Free Ventures
Offers wet-lab and office space for technology-focused startups, fostering collaboration between academia and industry, and providing mentorship, educational programs, and access to business resources to support commercialization and entrepreneurial growth.
Incubator
in
Empowers entrepreneurs in Ventura County through accelerator programs, mentorship, and community collaboration, helping founders turn bold ideas into thriving companies that create jobs, drive innovation, and strengthen the local economy.
Accelerator
in
Entrepreneurship and business training for international partner companies and researchers entering the U.S. market. Programs range from a few days to 2 weeks, including customer validation, business modeling, and mentorship. Includes the Global Entrepreneur Accelerator (GEA) for startups seeking to establish U.S. market presence. Partners with Japan, Korea, and other international ecosystems.
Training/Course
in
La Jolla
Institute for the Global Entrepreneur – UC San Diego
Strengthens Oakland-based small businesses through community, collective learning, and access to capital, prioritizing Black, Latino, and underinvested founders focused on equity, sustainability, and green jobs. Offers eligibility for up to $100,000 in funding.
Accelerator
in
Oakland
ESO Ventures
Provides free, personalized 1-on-1 business advisory services, offering expert guidance, tailored resources, and support in areas like planning, financial management, marketing, and funding to help entrepreneurs overcome challenges and achieve their business goals.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Oakland
Centro Community Partners
9-week cohort-based accelerator for women entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses. Delivered primarily via Zoom with 2 hours/week of structured classroom content and culminates in a capstone pitch presentation. Part of Hera Hub's spa-inspired female-focused coworking and business acceleration ecosystem.
Accelerator
in
San Diego
Hera Hub – Mission Valley
Accelerates early-stage ventures developing medical, digital health, and biotech solutions to address health challenges in Los Angeles, offering mentorship, strategic guidance, ecosystem connections, and non-dilutive funding to improve community health and equity.
Accelerator
in
Los Angeles
Larta Institute
UC San Diego's top-ranked deep biotech accelerator at the Center for Novel Therapeutics. Supports disruptive life sciences and digital health startups across longevity, BioAI, quantum, AI drug discovery, regenerative medicine, genomics, food tech, and more. Weekly sprints, capital closing clinics, AMAs, and investor sessions. Portfolio has generated $2.3B+ in exits and funds raised.
Accelerator
in
La Jolla
HomeLab Deep Bio Accelerator
\- Guides entrepreneurs through idea generation, validation, development, and business launch in a structured 14-week format. \- Helps founders refine and strengthen their pitch, progressing from initial workshopping to public presentations. \- Empowers founders with expert insights, peer learning, accountability, and actionable growth strategies in a four-week, theme-based format. \- Offers free, weekly interactive workshops for students, members, and the community to learn, collaborate, and create. \- Provides a one-week experience for high school and college students to test startup ideas and validate customer problems. \- Facilitates community collaboration to solve business challenges, launch ventures, and gain practical experience over eight weeks. \- Connects entrepreneurs with peers, tools, and resources to gain new perspectives in a free, supportive environment.
Training/Course
in
Offers personalized training, global market insights, intensive sales coaching, and legal support to help founders in sectors like clean tech, AI, and advanced manufacturing scale their startups, with opportunities for investor exposure and pitch development in Sacramento.
Accelerator
in
Multi-quarter experiential program where student teams collaborate with industry, society, and government leaders on real-world challenges. Four tracks: i4I (Industry), i4S (Society), i4G (Government), and i4NS (National Security). Builds entrepreneurial problem-solving skills through applied project work.
Training/Course
in
La Jolla
The Basement – UC San Diego
\- Guides entrepreneurs through idea generation, validation, development, and business launch in a structured 14-week format. \- Helps founders refine and strengthen their pitch, progressing from initial workshopping to public presentations. \- Empowers founders with expert insights, peer learning, accountability, and actionable growth strategies in a four-week, theme-based format. \- Offers free, weekly interactive workshops for students, members, and the community to learn, collaborate, and create. \- Provides a one-week experience for high school and college students to test startup ideas and validate customer problems. \- Facilitates community collaboration to solve business challenges, launch ventures, and gain practical experience over eight weeks. \- Connects entrepreneurs with peers, tools, and resources to gain new perspectives in a free, supportive environment.
Accelerator
in
Free one-on-one business counseling and mentoring for women entrepreneurs in Inland Southern California (San Bernardino and Riverside counties). Services include business model development, marketing strategy, financial management, startup guidance, and referrals. Bilingual services in English and Spanish, with targeted outreach to Latina business owners. SBA-partnered program since 2003.
Coaching/Consulting
in
San Bernardino
Inland Empire Women’s Business Center (IEWBC)
Seed-stage funding and support program for genomics-focused startups. Offers access to Illumina sequencing systems and reagents, lab space, and business guidance. Evolved into Illumina Ventures Labs (2023) with a focus on company creation. Illumina for Startups Grants also available for proof-of-concept sequencing experiments. 74 companies invested 2014–2023, with portfolio raising $1.2B+ collectively.
Accelerator
in
San Diego
Illumina for Startups
Supports entrepreneurs at the super early stage by collaborating as co-founders, leveraging entrepreneurial experience and networks to help disruptive teams with global growth potential launch from Europe to Silicon Valley or into top accelerators.
Incubator
in
Palo Alto
42angelitos / Angelitos Inc.
Offers a 10-week entrepreneurial training that guides participants in transforming technology concepts into viable businesses, focusing on customer discovery, market validation, business modeling, and mentorship to help launch innovations with real-world commercial potential.
Training/Course
in
Riverside
UCR Office of Technology Partnerships – EPIC
Empowers students to rapidly validate ideas, build prototypes, and gain traction through hands-on learning, mentorship, and milestone-based progression, preparing them for startup launch and pitch competitions in a collaborative, supportive environment.
Incubator
in
Sacramento
Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Provides education, mentorship, funding guidance, and networking opportunities to help UCSF clinicians, researchers, and learners translate innovative ideas into impactful health and life science solutions within an inclusive and supportive environment.
Community/Networking
in
San Francisco
UCSF Innovation Ventures
10-week entrepreneurship program for aspiring and early-stage biotech and medtech entrepreneurs at Aquillius Innovation Hub. Combines business education, mentorship, and investor readiness training, supported by access to 25,000+ sq ft of wet labs, cleanrooms, vivarium, Digital Lab (AI/ML), and prototyping tools.
Accelerator
in
San Diego
Aquillius Innovation Hub
90-day cohort-based entrepreneurship training program for women in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Participants attend a minimum of 13 workshops, meet individually with a business counselor, and develop a business plan. Cost ranges from $25–$130 based on income. Graduates have launched successful businesses across sectors including beauty, health/wellness, and professional services.
Training/Course
in
San Bernardino
Inland Empire Women’s Business Center (IEWBC)
One-on-one consulting, workshops, and webinars for entrepreneurs in rural Northern California (Shasta, Siskiyou, Trinity, Humboldt counties), with a focus on women-owned businesses.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Mount Shasta
JEDI – Jefferson Economic Development Institute
Provides equitable access to business assistance, resources, and entrepreneurial opportunities for startups and small business owners in Central California, helping them launch, sustain, and scale their ventures through a business accelerator and resource center.
Accelerator
in
Bakersfield
Kern Inclusive Entrepreneurship Hub (3C Capital Fund Inc.)
A city/county-funded workforce development initiative managed by REDF connecting Los Angeles workforce agencies with employment social enterprises. Helps individuals overcoming barriers to employment (homelessness, justice involvement) gain jobs, on-the-job training, and wraparound support services. ESEs provide paid transitional work while participants receive case management, childcare/transportation assistance, and job placement support. Funded by CA Employment Development Department and WIOA.
Accelerator
in
Los Angeles
REDF – Los Angeles Office
Provides hands-on support for entrepreneurs and small businesses through funding access, mentoring, training, and educational workshops to foster self-sufficiency, economic advancement, and community growth in the Central Valley.
Incubator
in
Fresno
Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation (FAHF)
Foundational entrepreneurship program for women at Hera Hub Mission Valley, designed to help early-stage founders develop and launch their business ideas. Delivered within Hera Hub's coworking and mentorship ecosystem, with access to workshops, expert office hours, and peer community support.
Training/Course
in
San Diego
Hera Hub – Mission Valley
An 8-month online certificate program guiding creative and social entrepreneurs through clarifying, testing, and launching sustainable business ideas, with hands-on learning, mentoring, and practical tools for business development, organization, communication, and financial management.
Training/Course
in
Oakland
Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative
14-week hybrid accelerator for pre-Series A startups with early traction, founded by Jason Calacanis. Selects only 7 startups per cohort (B2B/Marketplace: $2K+ MRR with 20%+ monthly growth). Invests $125K for 7% equity. Provides pitch coaching, go-to-market strategy refinement, access to 700+ investors, and connection to the LAUNCH network (This Week in Startups, Founder University). Mostly virtual with select in-person sessions in San Francisco.
Accelerator
in
San Francisco
LAUNCH Accelerator
USC's premier student-run product incubator, founded in 2013. Each semester, 28 carefully selected USC students (developers, designers, and product managers) are organized into teams to build technology startups from scratch. Teams go through a full-semester curriculum based on YC and Zero to One methodology, culminating in Demo Night where products are pitched to investors and industry leaders.
Incubator
in
Los Angeles
LavaLab – University of Southern California
Year-long extracurricular program for SDSU undergraduate and graduate students of all majors. Provides hands-on workshops, mentorship from San Diego's entrepreneurship community, networking, and career guidance to develop entrepreneurial skills and mindset.
Training/Course
in
San Diego
Lavin Entrepreneurship Center
Orange County's only Accelerate California Inclusive Innovation Hub, funded by CalOSBA. Eight specialized programs supporting underserved founder communities including female founders (WomenEntrepreneurs@Chapman), veterans (Boots to Books), people with disabilities, first-generation immigrants, and other underserved groups. Over $2.2M raised; 165+ founders supported; 8,000+ hours of mentorship delivered. Also includes Emprendedor@s program (Spanish-language entrepreneurship).
Accelerator
in
Orange
Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics
A structured incubator for Chapman University students, staff, faculty, and alumni in the pre-revenue startup phase. Teams participate for up to two semesters, receiving mentoring, formal progress reviews, collaboration with other Launch Labs teams, and connections to the Chapman Alumni Entrepreneur Network and SoCal ecosystem events. No cost to participants; IP remains with founders. Open to all industries with a special emphasis on scalable tech ventures in entertainment and sports (leveraging Chapman's #4-ranked film school).
Incubator
in
Orange
Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics
UC Berkeley's Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Center flagship program that provides $100K academic translational grants to Berkeley faculty-led life science startups, paired with $100K investment from the SkyDeck Fund, for a minimum of $200K total per company.
Accelerator
in
Berkeley
Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Center (UC Berkeley LSEC)
UCLA's deep tech and life science incubator at the California NanoSystems Institute, providing flexible wet lab and office space, access to $36M+ in advanced scientific equipment, mentorship, and networking. No equity taken. Preference for UCLA-affiliated companies.
Incubator
in
Los Angeles
Magnify Incubator (California NanoSystems Institute – UCLA)
Offers upperclassman undergraduates paid, hands-on experience with scientific start-ups, including mentorship, career development workshops, and a final project presentation over an 8-month academic year internship.
Training/Course
in
Los Angeles
Magnify Incubator – California NanoSystems Institute (UCLA)
A 3-month accelerator in San Jose focused on Latino and emerging entrepreneurs building companies in mobile, SaaS, IoT, cloud, fintech, AR/VR, and AI. Takes 4% equity in exchange for mentorship, investor connections, and program support.
Accelerator
in
San Jose
Manos Accelerator
Provides fully equipped, flexible lab spaces and resources for biotech startups to accelerate research, scale operations, and connect with a vibrant community of innovators and industry partners in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Incubator
in
San Carlos
MBC BioLabs – San Carlos
Provides fully equipped lab spaces, resources, and a collaborative community for biotech startups to rapidly launch experiments, scale research, and connect with industry partners in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Incubator
in
San Francisco
MBC BioLabs – San Francisco
UC San Diego-affiliated medtech startup accelerator run by the Institute for the Global Entrepreneur. Stage One Bootcamp (twice/year) delivers mentoring, industry expert lectures, and investor partner access. Stage Two pairs startups with executive mentors for business model development. NSF I-Corps training partner.
Accelerator
in
La Jolla
Institute for the Global Entrepreneur – UC San Diego
Accelerates deep-tech innovation through entrepreneurship education, mentorship, and commercialization support for engineers and scientists, offering programs like MedTech acceleration, NSF I-Corps, and global innovation training to help bring research-driven technologies to market.
Incubator
in
La Jolla
UC San Diego Entrepreneurship Center
Provides entrepreneurs with access to one-on-one, group, and speed mentoring opportunities, engaging mentors in various formats to support individuals at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey.
Community/Networking
in
Sacramento
Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
6-month export accelerator for San Diego small and mid-sized companies seeking to enter or expand in international markets. Cohorts of 15 companies receive a $5,000 export grant, 7 executive workshops (market entry, export finance, trade shows), 2 specialized industry sessions, and access to STEP grants ($5K–$10K additional). 110 companies served across 7 cohorts: $106M in new international sales, 552 international contracts, 28 new global offices.
Accelerator
in
San Diego
World Trade Center San Diego – MetroConnect
Free and low-cost weekly business development workshops hosted every Wednesday at the Moreno Valley Business & Employment Resource Center in partnership with the IE-SBDC. Open to new and established business owners, covering topics such as starting a business, financial tools, email marketing, and social media. The Chamber also facilitates connections to IEWBC, SCORE, and other regional support organizations.
Training/Course
in
Moreno Valley
Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce
A true business incubator for genomic-sequencing startups located in the 16,000 sq ft Murrieta Innovation Center. Offers dedicated bench space at near-zero cost, scientific/business mentorship, business model definition, science validation, and post-graduation seed investment. Focuses on precision medicine, agriculture, forensics, veterinary, and direct-to-consumer genomics applications.
Incubator
in
Murrieta
Murrieta Genomics
World's first accelerator focused exclusively on net-zero built environment technologies. A 6-month program for startups in energy, water, materials, HVAC, waste, and building decarbonization, offered by the U.S. Green Building Council California chapter.
Accelerator
in
Los Angeles
Net Zero Accelerator (USGBC California)
Provides a supportive entrepreneurial environment with business consultations, educational workshops, and resources to help launch and grow startups, fostering collaboration among passionate entrepreneurs and experienced professionals.
Accelerator
in
Auburn
New Venture Accelerator – Auburn University
Provides confidential, no-cost business advising, training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow, or transition, offering expertise in areas like funding, marketing, compliance, and expansion in Northern California.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Chico
Butte College SBDC
Business training and consulting for entrepreneurs in the North Fair Oaks unincorporated community (Southern San Mateo County). Opened in 2023, serves one of the Bay Area's most underserved communities with English- and Spanish-language programming, business planning support, and connections to capital and resource networks.
Training/Education
in
Redwood City
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center – North Fair Oaks
A one-week intensive customer discovery program for UC Berkeley students and faculty exploring commercialization of lab innovations. Offered through Berkeley LSEC and Haas in partnership with the National Science Foundation.
Training/Education
in
Berkeley
Berkeley-Haas Entrepreneurship Program
Offers entrepreneurial education, mentorship, funding opportunities, and support for students to develop ideas, validate technologies, and launch startups, including access to industry partnerships, intellectual property guidance, and incubation resources.
Training/Course
in
Riverside
UCR Office of Technology Partnerships – EPIC
Provides resources, mentorship, and support to help transform ideas, research, and technologies into successful commercial ventures, fostering a diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem and promoting innovation across disciplines for societal and economic impact.
Service
in
La Jolla
UC San Diego Office of Innovation & Commercialization
Provides startups with one-on-one, customized commercialization support, leveraging a national and international network of technology and science experts. Participation is free for NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II grantees, funded by the NSF CAP Supplement.
Accelerator
in
Los Angeles
Larta Institute
Helps existing and aspiring entrepreneurs develop comprehensive business plans, adapt to changing market conditions, and plan for future growth through an 11-week online training, supporting both business owners and those ready to launch.
Training/Course
in
Santa Rosa
Sonoma SBDC
Connects and coordinates regional entrepreneurial support organizations to provide resources, mentoring, and programs that help high-potential sustainability ventures accelerate their path to market, strengthen capacity, and improve access to capital and customers.
Accelerator
in
Riverside
UCR Office of Technology Partnerships – EPIC
An intensive mentorship and acceleration program run by the UCR Innovation Hub targeting agtech, life sciences, and climate tech startups. Features rolling admissions and an investor-backed team supporting startups in Riverside, San Bernardino, and Imperial counties.
Accelerator
in
Riverside
Innovation Hub (I-HUB) / Inland SoCal Accelerate Hub
Crucible Ignitor: Helps participants launch technology-based startups using federal and university lab-sourced innovations for defense and commercial applications, offering virtual workshops and mentorship for early-stage entrepreneurs in California, the Pacific Northwest, and Hawaii. Crucible Accelerator: Provides mentorship, resources, and strategic partnership opportunities to help startups in the Pacific Northwest scale and address real-world challenges, with a focus on defense and regional market expansion. APEX Accelerator: Offers expert guidance for businesses seeking government contracts, including help with certifications and innovation grants, and supports companies in navigating federal, state, and local procurement platforms.
Accelerator
in
Chapman University's flagship pitch competition hosted by the Leatherby Center, where student entrepreneurs pitch their startup ideas to a panel of investor and business judges for feedback, mentorship connections, and prizes. Modeled after Shark Tank-style format, open to Chapman students across all majors and disciplines.
Competition
in
Orange
Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics
Offers a four-week, team-based program guiding early-stage startups through customer discovery, business model development, and real-world validation, supported by experienced professionals to prepare participants for a pitch contest.
Training/Course
in
Pasadena
SBDC at Pasadena City College
Provides space and resources for start-ups developing light-based medical devices, fostering collaboration with faculty to advance innovative healthcare technologies and support commercialization efforts through partnerships, research, and access to specialized expertise and equipment.
Incubator
in
Irvine
UC Irvine Beckman Laser Institute – Photonic Incubator
\- Guides entrepreneurs through idea generation, validation, development, and business launch in a structured 14-week format. \- Helps founders refine and strengthen their pitch, progressing from initial workshopping to public presentations. \- Empowers founders with expert insights, peer learning, accountability, and actionable growth strategies in a four-week, theme-based format. \- Offers free, weekly interactive workshops for students, members, and the community to learn, collaborate, and create. \- Provides a one-week experience for high school and college students to test startup ideas and validate customer problems. \- Facilitates community collaboration to solve business challenges, launch ventures, and gain practical experience over eight weeks. \- Connects entrepreneurs with peers, tools, and resources to gain new perspectives in a free, supportive environment.
Coaching/Consulting
in
UC Davis College of Engineering's flagship 12-week early-stage cohort accelerator for undergraduate students with a startup idea. Twelve top teams meet weekly, receive mentorship from a curated mentor network, attend guest lectures from industry leaders and VCs, and gain access to seed capital. Culminates in PLASMA Demo Day where teams pitch to investors and can earn tens of thousands of dollars in prize funding. Industry-agnostic; open to all UC Davis undergrads.
Accelerator
in
Davis
Student Startup Center
A pre-accelerator program by law firm Stubbs Alderton & Markiles providing early-stage startups with legal services, co-working space, and mentorship. The program formally closed on June 27, 2025 after 13 years of operation in Santa Monica.
Incubator
in
Santa Monica
Preccelerator™ Program
A free mentorship program by the California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3) connecting early-stage biotech founders with veteran industry advisors on fundraising, market fit, and IP strategy. Top candidates can pitch for $100K proof-of-concept support.
Incubator
in
Berkeley
QB3
A 6-month, 100+ hour hands-on program for leaders of employment social enterprises (ESEs)—mission-driven businesses that employ people overcoming barriers to employment (justice system involvement, homelessness, addiction). Two leaders from each ESE participate per cohort. Teaches business development, experiment design, employee success program design, and financial sustainability. Upon completion, each enterprise receives a $20,000 unrestricted grant. Since 2016: 185+ ESE leaders supported across the U.S.
Accelerator
in
San Francisco
REDF
The nation's first statewide investment program for employment social enterprises (ESEs), administered by REDF in partnership with the California Office of the Small Business Advocate. Provides competitive grants of $100K–$500K plus customized technical assistance (business/employment model strengthening, relationship manager, REDFWorkshop virtual toolbox). Open to California-based ESEs employing people overcoming barriers to employment. 61+ ESEs supported in Round 2.
Grant Program
in
San Francisco
REDF
Orange County's first incubator and catalytic capital fund for social enterprises. A 6-month program guiding for-profit social impact ventures from idea to launch stage, with access to RevHub's ecosystem of investors, advisors, and partners.
Incubator
in
Irvine
RevHub OC (The Orange County Center for Innovation & Social Enterprise)
Business training and one-on-one consulting in English and Spanish for entrepreneurs in Richmond, Alameda, and Contra Costa Counties. Covers business planning, marketing, sales, operations, and financial education. Part of Renaissance's Bay Area network helping low-income individuals achieve financial independence through small business ownership.
Training/Education
in
Richmond
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center – Richmond
Equips small business and nonprofit leaders with practical skills in finance, marketing, sales, and operations through focused tracks, expert mentorship, and a collaborative network to drive sustainable growth and measurable community impact.
Accelerator
in
Fresno
Center for Community Transformation
An 8-month cycle connecting angel investors and entrepreneurs. Features workshops and training for early-stage angel investors and culminates in a $200K investment fund deployment. Educates investors on due diligence, deal structuring, and startup evaluation while providing founders with exposure to a curated angel investor community.
Accelerator
in
San Diego
Lavin Entrepreneurship Center
Business training and consulting for entrepreneurs in Santa Clara County based out of the San Jose Renaissance location (opened 2022). Provides English- and Spanish-language courses, business planning, access to capital, and connection to the wider Bay Area Renaissance network for lower-income and underserved entrepreneurs.
Training/Education
in
San Jose
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center – San Jose
Business training and SBDC services for entrepreneurs in San Mateo County through Renaissance's San Mateo office. Offers business planning classes, one-on-one consulting, financial education, access to capital guidance, and networking opportunities as part of the US SBA San Mateo County SBDC partnership.
Training/Education
in
San Mateo
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center – San Mateo
Empowers entrepreneurs to drive societal change by connecting startups with mentors, resources, and funding opportunities through a flexible, equity-free, online program focused on impactful innovation in climate, sustainability, clean tech, and AI for good.
Accelerator
in
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Works
Provides free, confidential business advising and training to help entrepreneurs and small businesses with marketing, finance, accessing capital, compliance, and growth at all stages, from startup to transition.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Crescent City
North Coast SBDC (Del Norte)
Provides confidential, no-cost business advising, training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow, access capital, and navigate challenges at every stage, from startup to expansion or transition.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Hayward
Alameda County SBDC (East Bay SBDC)
Provides confidential advising, training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses in Northern California start, grow, and access funding, with specialized support for tech, food, hospitality, and government contracting sectors.
Service
in
Lakeport
Lake County SBDC
Provides expert advising, training, market research, and access to capital to help businesses launch, grow, transition, or innovate, offering most services at low or no cost to support entrepreneurs and existing businesses in Central and Coastal California.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Merced
SBDC – Lead: Central CA SBDC Regional Network
Provides free, confidential business advising and practical training to help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow, or transition, offering expertise in marketing, finance, compliance, and industry-specific needs in Northern California.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Eureka
North Coast SBDC (Humboldt)
Provides confidential, no-cost business advising, training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow, or transition, offering expertise in areas like funding, marketing, compliance, and expansion in Northern California.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Chico
Butte College SBDC
Provides confidential, no-cost business advising, training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses in Northern California start, grow, or transition, offering support in areas like funding, marketing, compliance, and expansion.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Redding
Shasta-Cascade SBDC
Provides confidential, no-cost business advising, training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow, or transition, covering areas like funding, marketing, compliance, and operations in the Santa Cruz region.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Aptos
Santa Cruz SBDC
Provides confidential, no-cost business advising, training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses in Solano and Napa counties start, grow, and succeed through expert guidance, workshops, and access to funding opportunities.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Fairfield
Solano Napa SBDC
Provides no-cost business consulting, low-cost training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow, and succeed in San Diego and Imperial counties through expert advising and educational workshops.
Coaching/Consulting
in
El Cajon
San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network – East County
Provides no-cost business consulting, low-cost training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow, and succeed in San Diego and Imperial counties through expert advising, workshops, and specialized support services.
Coaching/Consulting
in
San Diego
San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network – International Rescue Committee
Provides no-cost business consulting, low-cost training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow, and succeed in San Diego and Imperial counties through expert advising, workshops, and specialized support services.
Coaching/Consulting
in
San Diego
San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network – CONNECT
Provides confidential, no-cost business advising, training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses in Northern California start, grow, or recover, including access to funding, expert guidance, and specialized support for various industries and business stages.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Truckee
Sierra SBDC
Provides confidential, no-cost business advising, training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow, or transition, offering expertise in areas like funding, marketing, compliance, and expansion within the Northern California region.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Stockton
San Joaquin SBDC
Provides no-cost business consulting, low-cost training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow, and succeed in San Diego and Imperial counties through expert advising, workshops, and specialized support services.
Coaching/Consulting
in
San Diego
San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network – The Brink
Provides no-cost business consulting, low-cost training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow, and succeed in San Diego and Imperial counties through expert advising, workshops, and specialized support services.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Cardiff
San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network – North San Diego
Provides confidential, no-cost business advising, training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow, or transition, serving the Sacramento Valley region with expert guidance in areas like funding, marketing, compliance, and operations.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Sacramento
Sacramento Valley SBDC
Provides no-cost business consulting, low-cost training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow, and succeed in San Diego and Imperial counties through expert advising and educational workshops.
Coaching/Consulting
in
National City
San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network – South San Diego
Provides confidential, no-cost business advising, training, and resources to help entrepreneurs start, grow, or transition their businesses, offering support in areas like funding, marketing, compliance, and operations in Northern California.
Coaching/Consulting
in
South San Francisco
San Mateo SBDC
Provides no-cost business consulting, low-cost training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow, and succeed in San Diego and Imperial counties, with expert advisors and specialized workshops available in English and Spanish.
Coaching/Consulting
in
San Diego
San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network – Alliance
Provides no-cost business consulting, low-cost training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow, and succeed in San Diego and Imperial counties through expert advising, workshops, and specialized support services.
Coaching/Consulting
in
El Centro
San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network – Imperial Valley
Provides guidance and resources to help small businesses and university researchers secure federal funding for innovative research and development, including identifying opportunities, understanding requirements, and connecting with program officers for proposal development support.
Service
in
UC Berkeley's premier entrepreneurship certificate program, open to all students regardless of major. Students earn the certificate through one of three tracks: coursework (completing SCET courses in innovation and technology entrepreneurship), startup (building a real venture), or study abroad (global entrepreneurship program in Portugal). Uses the award-winning Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship pedagogy.
Certificate Program
in
Berkeley
Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology (SCET – UC Berkeley)
SCET's hands-on courses where students form startup teams to create technology solutions for industry or social challenges. Includes Challenge Lab (full venture creation process from idea to pitch), Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, Technology Entrepreneurship, and specialized topics courses. Also features the A. Richard Newton Lecture Series with distinguished innovators. DeCal student-run courses also available.
Training/Education
in
Berkeley
Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology (SCET – UC Berkeley)
Provides free mentoring, resources, and workshops to help small business owners and entrepreneurs achieve their goals, offering guidance from experienced professionals and access to educational tools for starting, managing, and growing businesses.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Santa Barbara
SCORE Santa Barbara
Provides free mentoring, education, and resources to entrepreneurs and small business owners in Northern California, helping them start, grow, and sustain their businesses through workshops, counseling, and networking opportunities.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Citrus Heights
SCORE Capital Corridor
Offers free, confidential business mentoring and educational workshops for entrepreneurs and small business owners in Los Angeles County, supporting business growth, recovery, and success through expert guidance and resources.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Los Angeles
SCORE Los Angeles
Provides free, confidential one-on-one business counseling and conducts workshops for both new and established small business owners in Central California, supporting entrepreneurship and business growth through mentorship and educational resources.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Central California
SCORE Central Valley
Provides free, confidential business mentoring and educational workshops to entrepreneurs and small business owners in Central California, supporting both startups and established businesses through personalized guidance and resources.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Monterey
SCORE Central Coast
Provides free mentoring, resources, and workshops to help entrepreneurs and small business owners in Ventura County start, grow, and overcome challenges, with support from experienced volunteers and the backing of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Coaching/Consulting
in
Ventura County
SCORE Ventura County
Provides free mentoring, workshops, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small business owners start, grow, or manage their businesses, with specialized programs for veterans, women, and executives seeking ongoing business advice.
Coaching/Consulting
in
San Diego
SCORE San Diego
Provides free mentoring, business workshops, and resources to entrepreneurs and small business owners in Sonoma, Del Norte, Napa, Mendocino, Lake, and Humboldt Counties, leveraging experienced professionals to help clients achieve their business goals.
Coaching/Consulting
in
North Coast
SCORE North Coast
Offers workshops, mentorship, and cohort sessions to help entrepreneurs develop ideas into businesses, compete for funding, and receive support in areas like business planning, mental health, and community building through a hands-on, whole-person approach.
Incubator
in
Stockton
SJC Incubator
Offers a 10-week online incubator for Black and Brown entrepreneurs, providing coaching, community, and practical modules to help formalize and grow small businesses, with support from experienced professionals and ESL assistance.
Training/Course
in
Menlo Park
Cañada College Menlo Park – Small Business Incubator
Builds and invests in innovative space technologies by partnering with founders, providing technical expertise, and leveraging strategic capital to accelerate the commercialization of daring concepts for the emerging space economy.
Accelerator
in
Pasadena
Mandala Space Ventures
Builds and invests in innovative space technologies by partnering with founders, providing technical expertise, and leveraging strategic capital to accelerate the commercialization of daring concepts for the emerging space economy.
Accelerator
in
Pasadena
Mandala Space Ventures
Entrepreneurship training and business support services for Northern San Mateo County, serving South San Francisco. Part of Renaissance's network providing business planning classes, consulting, access to capital, and networking events for lower-income entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Training/Education
in
South San Francisco
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center – South San Francisco
Free incubator for clean energy startups in San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Imperial counties, funded by the California Energy Commission. Rolling applications. 78 companies served (38 active), with 851 employees, 527 patents, and $672M+ raised. 82% C-Suite diversity. Connects startups with workshops, mentorship, customer connections, investor introductions, grant assistance, and pilot project hosting.
Incubator
in
San Diego
Cleantech San Diego – Southern California Energy Innovation Network (SCEIN)
Provides members with resources, networks, technologies, and experiences to help them progress from ideation to prototyping, planning, and fundraising, fostering a supportive environment for aspiring entrepreneurs at San José State University.
Incubator
in
San José
SJSU SpartUp Incubator
Provides members with resources, networks, technologies, and experiences to help them progress from ideation to prototyping, planning, and fundraising, fostering a supportive environment for aspiring entrepreneurs at San José State University.
Incubator
in
San José
San José State University – SpartUp Incubator
No-cost advising and mentorship program for life sciences and high-tech startups that have demonstrated meaningful progress toward growth or funding. Provides pitch development support, access to Connect's extensive mentor network, and introductions to San Diego's investor ecosystem. One of the nation's first startup accelerators, founded 1985.
Accelerator
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San Diego
Connect Foundation
Provides no-cost, customized advising and coaching for life sciences and hi-tech entrepreneurs, helping founders accelerate growth, connect with capital, and access a network of experienced leaders and innovators in San Diego’s startup ecosystem.
Coaching/Consulting
in
San Diego
San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network – The Brink
Provides free online training and coaching to help aspiring entrepreneurs build a solid business foundation, develop a business model, identify customers, and create profitable products or services, regardless of prior experience or education.
Training/Course
in
Oakland
Centro Community Partners
Free 4-month accelerator for U.S.-based ocean and freshwater technology startups, funded by $13.5M from NOAA. Offers two tracks: Launch (TRL 0–3, early stage) and Scale (TRL 3+, up to $200K non-dilutive funding). Provides entrepreneurship training, mentorship, technical facilities, and culminates in Demo Day at TMA Blue Tech Week. 22 startups supported, $10.1M raised, 50% female-founded.
Accelerator
in
La Jolla
StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator – UC San Diego
Early-stage accelerator at UC San Diego's Rady School of Management for students, alumni, and researchers. Focuses on idea validation, early customer discovery, and foundational business modeling to help teams develop their startup concept into a fundable venture.
Accelerator
in
La Jolla
Sullivan Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation – UC San Diego Rady School of Management
Advanced accelerator for UC San Diego-affiliated startups with demonstrated traction. Provides deep-dive customer discovery, refined business model iteration, go-to-market strategy development, and enhanced investor pitch coaching to prepare companies for funding rounds.
Accelerator
in
La Jolla
Sullivan Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation – UC San Diego Rady School of Management
An immersive program for international students and early-stage founders to experience Berkeley's entrepreneurship ecosystem. Two tracks: Venture Discovery (undergraduates exploring new venture opportunities, F-1 visa) and Venture Validation (graduate-level early-stage founders preparing for acceleration, J-1 visa). Students take SCET courses, build startups, and gain UC Berkeley academic credit.
Accelerator
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Berkeley
Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology (SCET – UC Berkeley)
16-week equity-free pre-seed accelerator for female founders. Provides hands-on mentorship, funding preparation, and business development support across all industries. Offered by Stella Foundation (founded 2012 by Silvia Mah), which has supported thousands of women entrepreneurs globally. Includes 300+ educational modules and 100+ worksheets.
Accelerator
in
Solana Beach
Stella Foundation
Cultivates under-resourced food entrepreneurs by providing a fully equipped commercial kitchen and hands-on experiences to help formalize and grow their businesses, aiming to break barriers and foster a diverse, equitable food industry.
Incubator
in
Stockton
Stockton Community Kitchen
A prestigious 13-week accelerator at SDSU's Mission Valley Innovation District accepting 7-12 B2B/B2C tech companies per cohort. Provides $220K total investment ($200K uncapped MFN SAFE). Applications open April-June annually.
Accelerator
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San Diego
Techstars San Diego powered by San Diego State University
13-week Techstars accelerator in San Diego in partnership with SDSU, investing $120K in 7–12 B2B/B2C tech companies per cohort. Open globally with no SDSU affiliation required.
Accelerator
in
San Diego
Techstars San Diego powered by San Diego State University Accelerator
Provides students with a creative space, mentorship, and resources to develop startups, social ventures, or workforce skills through hands-on programs, prototyping funds, and collaboration opportunities across multiple disciplines and sectors.
Incubator
in
La Jolla
UC San Diego Office of Innovation & Commercialization
Provides infrastructure, mentorship, engineering support, and grant assistance to help entrepreneurs and inventors design, test, and manufacture technology or product-based ventures in California’s Central Valley. Focuses on collaboration, innovation, and practical business development.
Community/Networking
in
Fresno
The Pi Shop
Provides a free, six-week online training series with business education, resources, and technical assistance for entrepreneurs starting cosmetology-related businesses, including one-on-one advising, guest speakers, and a certificate upon completion.
Training/Course
in
Sacramento
Sacramento Valley SBDC
\- Guides entrepreneurs through idea generation, validation, development, and business launch in a structured 14-week format. \- Helps founders refine and strengthen their pitch, progressing from initial workshopping to public presentations. \- Empowers founders with expert insights, peer learning, accountability, and actionable growth strategies in a four-week, theme-based format. \- Offers free, weekly interactive workshops for students, members, and the community to learn, collaborate, and create. \- Provides a one-week experience for high school and college students to test startup ideas and validate customer problems. \- Facilitates community collaboration to solve business challenges, launch ventures, and gain practical experience over eight weeks. \- Connects entrepreneurs with peers, tools, and resources to gain new perspectives in a free, supportive environment.
Training/Course
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Helps pre-seed and seed-stage, tech-enabled startups in large markets achieve product-market fit and prepare for fundraising by guiding founders through market validation, mentorship, and operational support, aiming to accelerate growth and reduce time to investment readiness.
Accelerator
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Partners with venture-backable startups, offering expert mentorship, collaborative sessions, and accountability to help founders achieve growth milestones and prepare for investment and fundraising.
Accelerator
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Sacramento
Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Trains business owners to enter international markets through expert-led courses covering eCommerce, logistics, global marketing, export financing, and compliance, culminating in a personalized Export Plan to support business growth and access to U.S. Commercial Service resources.
Incubator
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Menlo Park
Cañada College Menlo Park – Small Business Incubator
Annual competition and accelerator track for UC San Diego students, faculty, and staff developing sustainable ventures. Offers prize pools of up to $25K for advanced/research-track teams and up to $5K for early-stage teams, with mentorship and support throughout the competition cycle.
Accelerator
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La Jolla
Sullivan Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation – UC San Diego Rady School of Management
A premier multi-day academic program (Biomedical+Engineering, Food+Ag tracks) for commercializing science and engineering innovations from the lab into the world. Connects researchers and students with faculty, MBA students, entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate leaders. Includes mentoring, networking, and customer discovery tools. Available to UC Davis students, faculty, staff, postdocs, and alumni.
Training/Education
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Davis
UC Davis Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
The University of California's leading startup accelerator, selecting ~20 of the most promising UC-affiliated startups each semester (Fall and Spring). A zero-equity, 3-month program using Lean Startup methodology, taught by UC Berkeley Haas faculty. Teams win up to $60K in prize money, are paired with serial entrepreneur mentors, and build investor-ready companies. Must have at least 1 UC student, alumni, faculty, or staff member.
Accelerator
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Berkeley
UC LAUNCH
Provides fully equipped wet lab and collaborative workspace for startups in biotech, medtech, agriculture, and clean innovation, offering access to advanced equipment, UC resources, expert mentoring, funding opportunities, and a supportive entrepreneurial community in the Inland Empire.
Incubator
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Offers mentorship, resources, funding opportunities, and access to a vibrant entrepreneurial community, helping founders accelerate their startups with expert guidance, investor connections, free tools, and exclusive events within a leading university innovation ecosystem.
Accelerator
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La Jolla
UC San Diego Entrepreneurship Center
6-month fully virtual accelerator for EdTech startups at USC Rossier School of Education, with no equity, no fees, and a personalized curriculum focused on improving educational access and outcomes.
Accelerator
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Los Angeles
USC EdTech Accelerator (USC Rossier School of Education)
Offers advanced-stage startups immersive sales training, pilot demonstrations, mentorship, and investor connections, focusing on agtech innovation through hybrid online and in-person sessions, industry networking, and opportunities to showcase solutions to the Central Valley agricultural community.
Accelerator
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Fresno
WET Center – Valley Ventures
Two complementary programs: DRIVE (Distributed Research Incubation & Venture Engine) provides UC Davis-affiliated startups access to a network of lean, thematically oriented mixed office/lab incubator spaces near campus. The Biotech Innovation Gallery (BIG) Pre-accelerator runs September–December with targeted mentoring in IP, regulatory strategy, business modeling, market analysis, and investor pitching, culminating in a showcase at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco.
Incubator
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Davis
UC Davis Venture Catalyst
Removes barriers to capital for investment-ready startups and small businesses by providing training, mentoring, and investor introductions, fostering innovation and workforce growth in the region. Selected companies receive support to enhance investment preparedness and business development.
Coaching/Consulting
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La Jolla
UC San Diego Office of Innovation & Commercialization
The Smart Toolkit for Accelerated Research Translation (START) Program equips UC Davis-affiliated entrepreneurs (faculty, students, staff, alumni) with tools to form and grow companies. Includes: LegalNet (free incorporation and legal consultation), VentureNet (preferred vendor rates for banking, accounting, insurance), investor pitch coaching, SBIR/STTR grant writing workshops, market intelligence (MICA) reports, and Angels on Campus investor feedback sessions.
Training/Education
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Davis
UC Davis Venture Catalyst
Offers an eight-month, no-cost accelerator for innovators piloting solutions to environmental and resilience challenges in Los Angeles, providing mentorship, technical assistance, and connections to partners to help scale impactful projects for at-risk communities.
Accelerator
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Los Angeles
Larta Institute
A one-year, no-equity, no-fee residential incubator for early-stage technology startups based in Los Angeles, located in Silicon Beach, Marina Del Rey. Provides 24/7 co-working space as primary office, Innovator-in-Residence coaching, topical workshops, access to USC's alumni and investor network, and partnership with I-Corps Hub West for customer discovery. Seeks full-time LA-based founder teams, post-ideation with developed technology, with external funding plans. No equity or IP claims.
Incubator
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Marina Del Rey
University of Southern California Viterbi Startup Garage
A virtual incubator program focused on advancing space technology startups on a national scale. Launched in Fall 2023 in collaboration with USC Center for Research in Space Technologies (CREST) and The Aerospace Corporation (TAC) in El Segundo. Nurtures dual-use domestic companies (military, civil, and commercial space missions). Accessible virtually, allowing participation beyond the Los Angeles area.
Accelerator
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Marina Del Rey
University of Southern California Viterbi Startup Garage
\- Guides entrepreneurs through idea generation, validation, development, and business launch in a structured 14-week format. \- Helps founders refine and strengthen their pitch, progressing from initial workshopping to public presentations. \- Empowers founders with expert insights, peer learning, accountability, and actionable growth strategies in a four-week, theme-based format. \- Offers free, weekly interactive workshops for students, members, and the community to learn, collaborate, and create. \- Provides a one-week experience for high school and college students to test startup ideas and validate customer problems. \- Facilitates community collaboration to solve business challenges, launch ventures, and gain practical experience over eight weeks. \- Connects entrepreneurs with peers, tools, and resources to gain new perspectives in a free, supportive environment.
Coaching/Consulting
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Provides programs, mentorship, and resources to help innovators and entrepreneurs at UCI move discoveries toward market, supporting successful outcomes for campus and community startups at every stage of development.
Incubator
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Irvine
UCI Beall Applied Innovation – The Cove @ UCI
SBA-designated Women's Business Center providing business training, one-on-one counseling, access to capital and markets, and support strategies for entrepreneurs in the Bay Area. Emphasizes empowering women in entrepreneurship while serving all individuals. Programs include daytime business planning classes, specialized workshops for women entrepreneurs, industry-specific training (fashion sector), and the Successful Women in Business Speaker Series.
Coaching/Consulting
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San Francisco
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center – SoMa
National pitch competition for female founders, offering $50K+ in grants, investments, and services. Part of Stella Foundation's mission to fund and scale women-led startups. Connected to the Women's Venture Summit (3-day event) and the Stella Angels investor collective.
Accelerator
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Solana Beach
Stella Foundation
Provides practical instruction and hands-on learning for business owners and advisors, helping them address real challenges, build skills, and connect with peers through accessible workshop series and one-time sessions focused on business growth and development.
Training/Course
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Oakland
Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative
An accelerator program by the Northern California World Trade Center (NorCalWTC) designed to help small US businesses develop international trade capabilities, diversify into export markets, and access cross-border e-commerce channels.
Accelerator
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Sacramento
World Trade Center Northern California
Offers a free, six-month pathway for aspiring entrepreneurs to transform technology-driven ideas into startups through expert-led training, personalized mentorship, hands-on lab experience, and funding opportunities, with flexible online and in-person coursework and UCR Extension course credit for participants.
Training/Course
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Riverside
UCR Office of Technology Partnerships – EPIC
Free on-campus incubator for SDSU students, staff, and faculty from all majors. 2-year program with semester-based applications. Provides working capital grants (up to $5,000), access to the H.G. Fenton Idea Lab (3D printers, laser cutting, power tools), and mentorship from 40+ active startups. Award-winning USASBE Model University Accelerator/Incubator (2023). 35+ companies launched, $40M+ raised collectively.
Incubator
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San Diego
ZIP Launchpad (SDSU – Zahn Innovation Platform)
Provides SDSU students, staff, faculty, and researchers with mentorship, resources, and support to transform early-stage ideas into successful startups, offering a hands-on entrepreneurial experience that complements academic learning and fosters innovation.
Incubator
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San Diego
SDSU ZIP Launchpad