Startup Resources
Explore the City of San Diego Startup Ecosystem Map, which features incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces designed to foster businesses.
The list of resources below provides entrepreneurs with contact information for agencies that can help entrepreneurs plan, finance, site, and market a successful business in San Diego.
- City of San Diego Resources
- Private Resources
- County of San Diego Resources
- State of California Resources
- U.S. Federal Government Resources
- Financial Resources
- Additional Resources
City of San Diego Resources
The City of San Diego provides general information on starting and operating a business, significant resource materials, market research information, small business troubleshooting, and regulatory, permitting and licensing information. The most important resource is the City's Economic Development Department, which acts as a clearinghouse for small business assistance information.
Private Resources
There are a number of private organizations that provide business assistance information, market research, technical assistance consulting and networking opportunities.
- San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
- San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)
- San Diego Center for International Trade Development
- Fermanian Business & Economic Institute
County of San Diego Resources
Many businesses that operate a business in the City of San Diego must also work with several County of San Diego agencies to successfully complete the process of opening a business. For instance, many businesses will need to file a fictitious business name through the County.
- County Business Resources
- Assessor, Recorder, County Clerk
- County Department of Planning & Development Services
- County Department of Environmental Health
- County Air Pollution Control District
State of California Resources
Many City of San Diego businesses will need to work with state agencies if they intend to incorporate their business, sell alcohol and other goods, hire employees, etc.
- California Business Incentives Gateway
- State Board of Equalization
- State Employment Development Department
- State Compensation Insurance Fund
- State Alcoholic Beverage Control
- California Secretary of State
U.S. Federal Government Resources
The federal government provides a host of pertinent information and services to small businesses, including consulting services, tax information, export information and wage and hour information.
- Internal Revenue Service
- U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services
- Department of Commerce
- U.S. Customs Service
- Department of Labor
- Social Security Administration
- Small Business Administration
- SCORE Association
Financial Resources
Several financial resources exist for small businesses in San Diego. However, loans are generally not available to start-ups. Most loan programs require that businesses have at least one year of history.
For additional information on financial resources, visit Financing Your Business.
- Accessity
- CDC Small Business Finance Corporation
- California Southern Small Business Development Corporation
- City of San Diego Business Finance Loan Program
- Storefront Improvement Program
- Tech Coast Angels
Additional Resources
- Better Business Bureau
- BioCom San Diego
- City of Chula Vista Economic Development Department
- Center for Applied Competitive Technologies
- San Diego Contracting Opportunities Center (SDCOC)
- Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee (MAAC) Project
- San Diego Metropolitan Transit System
- Regional Training Center
- San Diego Convention Center Corp.
- San Diego Tourism Authority
- MIT Enterprise Forum San Diego
- San Diego Unified Port District
- San Diego Workforce Partnership
- North San Diego Small Business Development Center
- South San Diego Small Business Development Center
- UC San Diego Office of Innovation and Commercialization