GO-Biz Launches New California Business Portal: A One-Stop-Shop Website for Business Owner

As part of an ongoing effort to provide more on-line tools to businesses, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) today announced the launch of the California Business Portal, a one-stop-shop website for business owners looking for information and assistance. (www.BusinessPortal.ca.gov)

“The California Business Portal is a response to the needs of the business community and their request for better on-line tools,” said GO-Biz Chief Deputy Director Panorea Avdis. “California business owners now have a resource to make it easier to do business in the state and GO-Biz will continually update the portal to ensure it keeps up with the demands of business owners and entrepreneurs.”

The California Business Portal provides information to business owners on starting a new business, permits and licenses, incentives, local resources and more. The portal is available on the business owner’s schedule and has a number of key features, including:

Quick Start Guides: Short guides that contain the essential information for starting, and growing specific types of businesses in the State of California.

California Business Navigator: Not sure where to start? The Business Navigator provides custom information for your business including permits, licenses and incentives.

Service Desk: Get answers to commonly asked questions with the California Business Portal Service Desk. If the information for your situation is not here yet, submit your question and GO-Biz will provide a customized answer.

“As the global hub of innovation, California is often the first to meet challenges with novel solutions," said Robert Callahan, California Executive Director for The Internet Association. "This portal is a great example of how government can harness the power of the Internet and empower citizens through the use of technology.”

In May 2015, GO-Biz debuted the California Business Portal at the Trends in Technology conference in Sacramento. Prior to the conference, GO-Biz convened a group of small business owners and entrepreneurs to test the website and provide feedback. (VIDEO: GO-Biz Debuts ‘California Business Portal’ for Small Business Owners)

GO-Biz began building the framework for the business portal in the fall of 2014. Using existing resources, including staff from the Department of Technology IT Leadership Academy, it took GO-Biz IT Chief Thomas Boon and his team six months to build the website infrastructure which is also mobile friendly and can be accessed on iOS and Android devices.

“It was a top priority of GO-Biz to get people from the business community involved in the development of the California Business Portal,” said GO-Biz IT Chief Thomas Boon “As a result, the ease of use and content are reflective of the type of information and assistance business owners need.”

In addition to the business portal, GO-Biz has delivered a number of web based tools for business owners including easy to use on-line applications for the California Competes tax credit and the California Film Commission film tax credit.

 About GO-Biz
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) serves as California’s single point of contact for economic development and job creation efforts. GO-Biz offers a range of services to business owners including: attraction, retention and expansion services, site selection, permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, small business assistance, international trade development, assistance with state government, and much more. For more information visit: www.business.ca.gov.