Business Development
The Business Investment Services Unit works with companies to expand their presence in California by streamlining the site selection process and offsetting the cost of doing business with the use of local, state and federal incentives. Our team of veteran economic development professionals worked with hundreds of companies last year to assist in the creation and/or retention of over 6,000 jobs and over $750 million in capital expenditures.

Permit Streamlining
The Permit Assistance unit provides permit streamlining for business owners struggling with local, state and federal permitting for major job creating projects. For example, our team recently streamlined over 300 permits in just under 6 weeks for a regional restaurant franchise saving them significant time and money.

Small Business Assistance
The Small Business unit provides direct small business assistance to thousands of business each year with the help of our regional partners at the Small Business Development Centers. Over 95 percent of the +3500 assistance inquiries GO-Biz receives each year are from small business owners.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship unit is the state’s primary point of contact for promoting California’s innovation infrastructure. It functions to develop an environment that encourages entrepreneurship, promotes long term economic growth and facilitates job creation through innovation. It also serves to convene key stakeholders needed to support GO-Biz activities throughout the state as well as stimulate entrepreneurship and the development of California’s innovation workforce.  This unit is primarily responsible for the administration of California’s Innovation Hub (iHub) Program.

International Affairs and Trade Development
The International Affairs and Trade Development unit provides critical support on issues relating to international trade and investment opportunities, foreign relations, international agreements and partnerships with the countries that have a friendly relationship with California. The unit collaborates with federal, local and international partners to identify and assist small to medium size companies in developing markets abroad for their products and services.