$50K Non-Dilutive Grants for Clean Tech Startups Now Available Through SEGA and Accelerate CA
Looking for clean tech startup funding in California? Here’s your chance. Amid shrinking public support for clean technology, a new opportunity is gaining momentum through the Accelerate CA Hubs, a program from the Governor’s Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA). This initiative is designed to drive innovation in three critical sectors: Clean Technology (including Zero Emission Vehicles), Agriculture and Food Technology, and Health and Life Sciences.
One of the leading Accelerate CA Hubs—Sacramento Entrepreneurial Growth Alliance (SEGA)—has launched a competitive grant program to support early-stage companies. A total of $150,000 in non-dilutive funding is available, with $50,000 grants awarded in each sector. For clean tech startups, this is a high-impact opportunity to secure seed funding without giving up equity.
In a recent webinar held May 22, SEGA co-founder Cameron Law, also Executive Director of the Carlsen Center at Sacramento State, shared details about the application process for the clean tech funding track.
Key Details for Clean Tech Founders:
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Grant Amount: $50,000 (non-dilutive)
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Application Deadline: August 1
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Eligibility: Early-stage companies in Clean Tech, Zero Emission Vehicles, AgTech, or HealthTech
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Apply at: SEGA Accelerate CA portal
Program Timeline:
- Apply by August 1 via the SEGA portal.
- Up to 12 companies per sector will be selected to join a 10-week virtual investment readiness program (Wednesdays, Sept 3–Oct 4, 3–5 PM).
- Finalists will pitch at a competitive showcase event, followed by a due diligence process.
- One company per sector will receive the $50,000 grant in Fall 2025.
This initiative offers more than just funding. Participants gain access to expert mentorship, enhanced visibility, and a chance to refine their investor pitch in front of key stakeholders. In today’s tough funding landscape, programs like this are crucial for emerging clean tech companies seeking a path to scale.
If you’re building the future of clean energy, sustainable transportation, or climate tech, don’t miss this.
Submit your application by August 1 to be considered for SEGA’s $50,000 Clean Tech Grant.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sudhee Lakshama serves as AgStart's Lab Director, working directly with our client companies to support their work, overseeing our lab facilities, and managing our community-building and client-support programs including our monthly 'Learn From A Local' networking events and our AgriFoodTech Entrepreneur Resource (AFTER) mentoring support program.
Sudhee brings a background of work in academic labs and his own start-up. Sudhee's background includes a stint at UC Davis as a postdoc in 2009, working on nano-photonics. In that period, he discovered his entrepreneurial DNA and co-founded Sonanutech Inc with Prof. Ian Kennedy, raising over $1.3 million in grant and $100,000 in industrial support for the rapid bacteriophage test. Since 2019, he has been working as an instructor and program director at Carrington College. Sudhee brings to these roles a passion for science, technology and instrumentation, along with the experience of building and managing a biotech lab. He has served as a principle investigator and as a reviewer for National Institute of Health and National Science Foundation grants. He is the recipient of the prestigious Alexander-von-Humboldt fellowship. Sudhee holds a PhD in Materials Chemistry from India.
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