About this programme
CalSEED, the California Sustainable Energy Entrepreneur Development initiative, is a $48 million grant program for early-stage California clean energy startups. It is administered by New Energy Nexus on behalf of the California Energy Commission, funded through the state's Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) program.
The program is built to take a clean energy company from an early idea through to a working prototype and a stronger market position, feeding graduates into CalTestBed, a related state program for higher-readiness technology. Since 2017 CalSEED has distributed $23 million to 137 companies, supporting 383 jobs.
For the 2024 cycle, CalSEED focused on four technology areas: battery circularity, long duration energy storage, electrifying medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, and end-use electrification, open to hardware, software or integrated-solution companies.
How it works
CalSEED runs one call for Concept Award applications each year. Concept Award winners can then compete in an annual Business Plan Competition for a larger Prototype Award.
The program's own site gives two different sets of figures for the awards: its FAQ and how-to-apply pages describe a $150,000 Concept Award (to 20 to 25 projects a year) plus an additional $450,000 Prototype Award for competition winners, while its program-overview page describes a $200,000 Concept Award plus a $500,000 Prototype Award. Either way, the program states a company can receive up to $700,000 total across both awards.
Concept Award winners also get professional development support and access to an accelerator, in addition to the grant money.
Budget information is not required at the initial application stage; a detailed scope of work and budget come later if a company advances.
Who can apply
The lead applicant and company must be based in California, registered with (or in good standing with) the California Secretary of State, and have a location or base in the state. Team members can be located elsewhere, and applicants do not need to be US citizens.
The company must have received under $1 million in private funding as of the last day of the application window. SBIR funding is public funding and does not count against this cap.
The technology must be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2 to 4, described as pre-demonstration scale; companies that already have a prototype, or are still working on one, remain eligible.
Incorporation is not required to apply, but a winning company must be incorporated before signing a grant contract.
The innovation must benefit California ratepayers, for example through greater reliability, lower costs or increased safety, and must fit within CalSEED's designated technology focus areas for that cycle.
How to apply
- Confirm your company and technology fit CalSEED's eligibility rules and current technology focus areas.
- Review the application manual and sample application questions, and read the program's terms and conditions.
- Plan how you will address the application's impact and social equity questions.
- Attend a CalSEED information session (recordings are made available for those who cannot attend live).
- Complete the initial online application through the SmartSimple portal; CalSEED estimates this takes about an hour.
- If your initial application is accepted, proceed to the full application.
Documents you’ll typically need
- CalSEED application manual and sample questions (reference material)
- Detailed scope of work (for applicants who advance)
- Budget documentation (for applicants who advance)
- Signed terms and conditions
- Impact and social equity statement
- Letters of support (optional but encouraged)
Frequently asked
Do I need to be a US citizen to apply?
No. CalSEED says you do not need to be a citizen to apply.
How much funding can my company get from CalSEED?
The program describes a Concept Award followed by a larger Prototype Award for competition winners. Depending on which official page you read, the two awards total either roughly $600,000 or up to $700,000 combined.
Do I need a finished prototype to apply?
No. You remain eligible even if you already have a prototype or are still working on one; CalSEED targets Technology Readiness Level 2 to 4.
Does SBIR funding count toward the $1 million private funding cap?
No. CalSEED treats SBIR grants as public funding, which does not count toward the cap.
Do I need to be incorporated to apply?
No, but if you win an award you must be incorporated before signing the grant contract.
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Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.