Unique Resources
Camarillo is a hub for business success and innovation, particularly within the Aerospace & Defense sectors, due in part to its proximity to Point Mugu Naval Air Station, a major military testing facility that provides additional opportunities for defense contractors and technology companies seeking government partnerships.
Camarillo hosts vital access to key transportation networks including the Camarillo airport, 101 freeway, and Metrolink station, and the Naval Air Station, offering 300 square miles of FAA-authorized testing range. Adding further to these benefits is Camarillo’s updated municipal code, reflecting the city’s commitment to attracting and retaining businesses that support innovation and a strong regional job market.
Camarillo's vision of a business-friendly environment encompasses fostering innovation, creating high-quality employment opportunities, and developing strategic partnerships with our local universities to establish clear pathways from graduation to meaningful careers.
Area 805
The Ventura County Department of Airports will soon unveil an autonomous testing range spanning from Ventura County to Santa Barbara County. This testing range, which spans 300 square miles from Ventura to Santa Barbara counties, will serve emerging aerospace technologies and represents a unique regional capability, with the nearest comparable facility located out of state.
The testing range, a joint partnership between Naval Partnership and Naval X Tech Bridge, brings in $500 million in airport infrastructure improvements and positions the region as a competitive hub for the aerospace industry. A leader in clean technology, Area 805 is a hub for zero-emission aircraft and sustainable aviation systems. Area 805 directly supports California’s climate goals while improving air quality in surrounding communities.
Capital Access & Resources
CalCompetes
Aerospace firms in Camarillo are encouraged to apply for Cal Competes grants. Established through the California Governors office of Business and Economic Development “Go-Biz,” qualified businesses can receive tax credits, capital funding, employment training, and research and development incentives from several state agencies. These programs are intended to optimize business operations, increase staff size and skillset, and streamline the research and development process. In the last decade, Camarillo based companies have collectively earned and benefited from over $9 million through Cal Competes funding.
Fathomwerx
Fathomwerx is a technology-based collaborative that includes the Ventura County Economic Development Collaborative, Matter Labs, NAVSEA, NAVFAC, and the Port of Hueneme. Serving as a public-private laboratory, community, and resource for technological innovation, the partners strive to fuse small and non-traditional companies, academic institutions, and other Department of Defense stakeholders together to work on the most challenging problems in military, port, and maritime domains.
Crucible Accelerator
Partnered with NavalX Inland Empire Tech Bridge, Crucible Accelerator is a free 10-week program that accelerates U.S. startups without taking equity. The program provides mentorship, resources, and opportunities to build strategic partnerships within the Department of Defense ecosystem, helping entrepreneurs advance their businesses and address real-world challenges.
Department of Defense Mentor-Protege Program
The Mentor-Protege program through the Department of Defense helps eligible small businesses gain capacity and win government contracts through partnerships with more experienced companies. The program helps proteges expand their footprint in the defense industrial base and build influence in the broader regional economy.
Education Institutions
Located in close proximity to CSU Channel Islands, UC Santa Barbara, USC, and UCLA, Camarillo aerospace companies have direct access to a diverse talent pool for technical, administrative, and professional positions. This location to several institutions provides companies with a pipeline of skilled graduates across multiple disciplines, from engineering and computer science to business administration.
List of nearby colleges with engineering programs:
- Cal State Channel Islands - Academic Programs - CSU Channel Islands
- Applied Physics, Computer Science & Information Technology, Mechatronics Engineering
- Moorpark College - Academics: Degrees | Moorpark College
- Computer Network Systems Engineering, Design, Engineering,
- UC Santa Barbara - Academic Departments & Programs | UC Santa Barbara
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Military Science (ROTC), Physics, Statistics and Applied Probability
- Ventura College - Academics: Degrees | Ventura College
- Advanced Manufacturing, Drafting, Welding
- Pepperdine - Pepperdine University Undergraduate Programs | Seaver College
- Physics, Mathematics, Natural Science – 3/2 Engineering, Biology
- Oxnard College - Academics: Degrees | Oxnard College
- Computer Networking/IT, Engineering, Physics
- USC - University of Southern California - Programs
- Aerospace Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Physics, Computer Engineering and Computer Science
- Cal Poly - Programs A-Z | Cal Poly Academic Catalog
- Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Astronautics, Military Science, Physics, Applied Mathematics
- Cal State Northridge - Majors & Programs | California State University, Northridge
- Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics
- UCLA - Academics | Degree Programs & Majors | UCLA | UCLA
- Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Astrophysics, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Mathematics/Applied Science, Physics
Aerospace & Defense Companies in Camarillo
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