The California Dream Fund

Microgrants for up to $10,000 are being made available to eligible businesses through the California Dream Fund. The Dream Fund is a one-time $35 million grant program intended to seed entrepreneurship and small business creation in the State of California. To qualify, new entrepreneurs and small business owners must complete an intensive training program through select participating centers of the Technical Assistance Expansion Program. Following successful completion of the training and consulting program, new businesses will be eligible to apply for the grants. Businesses that meet the program requirements are encouraged to enroll with a participating center as soon as possible as the program is “first-come, first-served.” Participating centers include: 

AnewAmerica
East Bay SBDC
Minority Business Development Agency
Renaissance Women's Business Center

Program requirements include:

• Completion of the training program mentioned above
• Must be formally registered to do business in one of the northern 36 counties of California before being referred for a grant.
• Business registration must have occurred on or after July 1st, 2019.
• Entities must also demonstrate they are ‘in business.’
• Must be a business with 5 employees or less and $1 million or less in annual receipts.
• Must agree to all applicable terms and conditions.

Grants are subject to fund availability and may be allocated before everyone that enrolls completes the required steps. Enrollment with a participating center does not guarantee access to funds.