California has unveiled its latest statewide innovation grant cohort, awarding funding across 37 early-stage startups through a $2 million program aimed at accelerating commercialization of emerging technologies. The announcement, made by Governor Gavin Newsom, reflects a continued push to position California as a global leader in deep tech, life sciences, climate innovation, and next-generation infrastructure, while increasing direct support for founders at the earliest stages of company development.
This year’s recipients span artificial intelligence, clean energy, biotechnology, advanced materials, housing innovation, workforce systems, and public safety technologies. Many of the selected startups are focused on foundational research and long-horizon engineering challenges rather than incremental product improvements, highlighting a strategic emphasis on deep R&D.
Roughly 70 percent of the awarded companies are pre-revenue, signaling a stronger state-level appetite for early-stage risk in exchange for potentially transformative outcomes. Funding is distributed through multiple regional Accelerate CA hubs, reinforcing California’s distributed innovation model that connects local startup ecosystems with statewide capital programs.
Overall, the cohort reflects a dual focus on economic growth and public impact, with startups addressing challenges such as wildfire response, healthcare access, energy efficiency, workforce inclusion, and sustainable housing.
1. 4th State Energies (SiLi-ion, Inc.)
Silicon nanoparticle battery technology replacing graphite and increasing energy density by 40 percent
Award: $75,000
Website: 4thState.com
Hub: InSoCal Accelerator Hub
2. Alleo Labs Corp.
Neurological therapeutics targeting Parkinson’s disease using USP15 inhibition
Award: $50,000
Website: alleolabs.com
Hub: The Brink
3. ArbourMoney LLC
Real-time payment infrastructure with fraud detection and low-cost transactions
Award: $50,000
Website: arbourmoney.com
Hub: Kern Inclusive Entrepreneurship Hub
4. Ascender Systems Inc.
Autonomous climbing robotics for infrastructure communication restoration
Award: $100,000
Website: ascendersystems.com
Hub: The Brink
5. B3 Broadband LLC
Fixed wireless broadband and digital inclusion programs for underserved communities
Award: $100,000
Website: b3broadband.com
Hub: Kern Inclusive Entrepreneurship Hub
6. Deeper Breath
AI-enabled smart PPE for industrial and defense applications
Award: $50,000
Website: deeperbreath.ai
Hub: Economic Development Collaborative, Ventura County
7. Domina Therapeutics Inc.
Neural-network-based drug discovery platform for cognitive disorders
Award: $100,000
Website: dominatherapeutics.com
Hub: Economic Development Collaborative, Ventura County
8. Evil Genius Games Inc.
Digital tabletop role-playing game platform
Award: $25,000
Website: evilgeniusgames.com
Hub: Plug-In Ventures
9. Fact Hub
AI-powered fact-checking and news aggregation platform
Award: $50,000
Website: facthubit.com
Hub: Economic Development Collaborative, Ventura County
10. Hammerloop LLC
Bilingual workforce platform for construction labor matching
Award: $50,000
Website: hammerloop.com
Hub: Kern Inclusive Entrepreneurship Hub
11. Health Trend Social LLC
AI healthcare analytics integrating social determinants of health
Award: $25,000
Website: healthtrendsocial.com
Hub: Heal.LA Accelerate CA Hub
12. HexHomes LLC
Modular hexagonal housing system for rapid affordable construction
Award: $25,000
Website: HexHomes.co
Hub: InSoCal Accelerator Hub
13. Hikari Medical Technologies LLC
Wearable precision drug dosing and monitoring system
Award: $50,000
Website: hikarimedical.com
Hub: Economic Development Collaborative, Ventura County
14. Kenji Health Inc.
AI mental health companion platform with outcomes tracking
Award: $25,000
Website: kenji.health
Hub: Heal.LA Accelerate CA Hub
15. Kirabo Equity
AI financial literacy and wealth-building platform
Award: $25,000
Website: kiraboequity.com
Hub: Plug-In Ventures
16. Keystone Therapeutics
Targeted drug delivery systems for cancer treatment
Award: $25,000
Website: keystonesciences.com
Hub: The Brink
17. Looks for Lease Technologies
SaaS platform enabling fashion rental and circular economy models
Award: $75,000
Website: looksforlease.com
Hub: Chapman University Leatherby Center
18. Majic Dynasty LLC (Quest Craft)
Educational tabletop gaming platform for K-8 learning
Award: $75,000
Website: majicdynasty.com
Hub: Chapman University Leatherby Center
19. MisTee Wants to Know Inc.
AI-powered hair detangling and scalp care device
Award: $50,000
Website: misteepro.com
Hub: Kern Inclusive Entrepreneurship Hub
20. Need2Say
Real-time multilingual communication platform for industry
Award: $50,000
Website: need2say.com
Hub: Chapman University Leatherby Center
21. Nereid Biomaterials Inc.
Ocean-degradable plastics for marine applications
Award: $50,000
Website: nereidbio.com
Hub: Economic Development Collaborative, Ventura County
22. Nutrible (ThriveLink)
Voice-based access to government assistance programs
Award: $25,000
Website: mythrivelink.com
Hub: Plug-In Ventures
23. PeraWatt Energy Inc.
Magnetic materials improving energy efficiency in AI, EV, and energy systems
Award: $100,000
Website: perawatt.com
Hub: Humanmade
24. Plumas Wood Fiber LLC
Forest biomass conversion into horticultural materials
Award: $50,000
Website: plumaswoodfiber.com
Hub: Chico Start
25. Ponderosa.ai Inc.
AI wildfire detection and drone response system
Award: $25,000
Website: ponderosa.ai
Hub: Chico Start
26. Quantum Energy
Energy analytics platform for clean energy optimization
Award: $100,000
Website: quantum-ec.com
Hub: Economic Development Collaborative, Ventura County
27. Rare Flora Inc.
Plants designed for soil remediation and contamination reduction
Award: $25,000
Website: rareflora.bio
Hub: InSoCal Accelerator Hub
28. Real Good Soil
Biomass-to-biochar regenerative soil production system
Award: $100,000
Website: emergence.us
Hub: Chico Start
29. ReBlood Rx Inc.
Universal blood substitute with long shelf life
Award: $100,000
Website: rebloodrx.com
Hub: Economic Development Collaborative, Ventura County
30. Red Line Safety
Wearable communication and safety system for first responders
Award: $50,000
Website: redlinesafety.com
Hub: Chico Start
31. Seedorina USA LLC
Robotic precision seeding for small farms
Award: $75,000
Website: seedorina.com
Hub: InSoCal Accelerator Hub
32. Sigma Healthsense Inc.
Remote patient monitoring platform for seniors
Award: $25,000
Website: sigmahealthsense.com
Hub: Heal.LA Accelerate CA Hub
33. Solir Energy Solutions
Fire-rated window retrofit for energy efficiency
Award: $75,000
Website: solir.io
Hub: Chico Start
34. Super Foam Corp.
Eco-friendly high-performance foam material
Award: $100,000
Website: superfoamcorp.com
Hub: InSoCal Accelerator Hub
35. VULVAi
AI platform for pelvic and vulvar health tracking
Award: $25,000
Website: vulvai.co
Hub: Plug-In Ventures
36. WallRise LLC
Wall-mounted sit-stand desk systems
Award: $50,000
Website: wallrisedesk.com
Hub: Humanmade
37. WePair Health Inc.
Workforce platform for community health workers and doulas
Award: $25,000
Website: wepairhealth.com
Hub: Plug-In Ventures
California’s latest cohort highlights a strong emphasis on climate tech, health innovation, AI-enabled infrastructure, and workforce tools, with funding increasingly directed toward early-stage companies building foundational technologies across the state.