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Partners

Giving Entrepreneurs, Organizations and
Communities Access to Affordable Capital

Loans

The Climate Tech Finance program began as a partnership between the Bay Area Air District and the financial institution in Sacramento and has since expanded to a network of partners across California and beyond.

BAAQMD

Bay Area Air District

The California Legislature created the Bay Area Air District in 1955 as the first regional air pollution control agency in the country. The Bay Area Air District is tasked with regulating stationary sources of air pollution in the nine counties that surround San Francisco Bay: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, southwestern Solano, and southern Sonoma counties. It is governed by a 24-member Board of Directors composed of locally elected officials from each of the nine Bay Area counties. The Bay Area Air District aims to create a healthy breathing environment for every Bay Area resident while protecting and improving public health, air quality, and the global climate.

"Our first-of-its-kind partnership program helps to accelerate new technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the region. Our program bridges the financial gap for climate technology developers and aids in bringing innovative climate solutions to the market."

Dr. Philip Fine, Executive Officer of the Bay Area Air District

IBank

California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank

Climate Tech Finance partners with Financial Development Corporations (FDCs) to provide loan guarantees for small businesses that experience capital access barriers. FDCs were created in the California Corporations Code to aid the SBFC in the administration of its programs throughout the state, together removing barriers to access capital. As mission-based organizations, the FDCs aim to support small businesses and stimulate economic growth in underserved communities.

The IBank was created in 1994 to finance public infrastructure and private development that promote a healthy climate for jobs, contribute to a strong economy and improve the quality of life in California communities. IBank has broad authority to issue tax-exempt and taxable revenue bonds, provide financing to public agencies and provide credit enhancements. The small business loan guarantees are provided by the IBank’s Small Business Finance Center through the seven statewide Financial Development Corporations (FDCs).

"IBank is proud of our partnership with the Bay Area Air District and Nor-Cal FDC to provide financing for this type of game-changing project. There is a growing pipeline of impressive projects that can make a difference not only for California but can help set the innovation standard for communities around the world. We are working to ensure there are more great announcements to come."

Scott Wu, IBank’s Executive Director

 
Nor-Cal

Northern California Small Business Financial Development Corporation

Founded in 1978, Nor-Cal FDC is a public benefit corporation licensed, chartered and regulated by the State of California and is part of the California IBank financing programs. Nor-Cal FDC is focused on assisting businesses with financing in underserved communities. Nor-Cal FDC’s mission is to drive the local economy by supporting small business owners and entrepreneurs through access to capital. Their lending, banking, and technology partners provide greater access to a variety of sources of capital to small business owners in Northern California, Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay area.

"We are honored to work with the Bay Area Air District’s team of experts and bring to market innovative solutions that positively impact California’s climate. These entrepreneurs benefit greatly as we help them qualify for much needed capital, thereby expanding their company’s reach."

Sanford Livingston, CEO of Nor-Cal FDC

Small Business Development Corporation of Orange County

Small Business Development Corporation of Orange County

SBDC of Orange County is a quasi-public/private 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public benefit corporation, which operates under the state’s public municipal bank, IBank. SBDC-OC is not affiliated with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The corporation, established in 2001, is a mission driven charitable organization dedicated to assisting small business owners secure operating capital through its capital access programs including California’s State Loan Guarantee Program, Export Lines of Credit, Bond Conduit and Green Energy Initiatives to support small business access to credit.

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