Missouri Technology Incentive Program (MoTIP) for small businesses

Phase 0 info | CAP Loan info | Resources | News

The Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC) has instituted and funded the Missouri Technology Incentive Program (MoTIP) to increase the number of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards granted to small businesses in the State of Missouri. MoTIP's purpose is to generate high-quality SBIR/STTR proposals and to broaden participation from Missouri small businesses through Phase 0 competition assistance grants (up to $5,000) and and Commercialization Assistance Program (CAP) Loans (up to $15,000)

The SBIR and STTR programs will provide R&D financial resources of more than $2.2 billion to U.S. small businesses in FY 2008. Through these programs, 12 federal agencies provide funding for a wide range of proposal topic areas. These programs provide excellent opportunities to nurture the development of innovative businesses in Missouri, offer employment opportunities for our university and community college graduates and enable economic development and diversification.

Only for-profit proprietorships, small businesses and manufacturers (fewer than 500 employees) qualify for SBIR and STTR funding. These programs provide a unique source of seed capital for Missouri citizens and small businesses to explore and develop innovative product concepts. These programs are particularly important to Missouri businesses in which innovation capital is in very short supply. Although SBIR and STTR funding comes with certain requirements, obligations and restrictions, the grantee is not obligated to repay the award or issue equity in exchange for the award. Most intellectual property rights generated on funded projects remain with the small business.

The MTC began funding MoTIP in 2008 to stimulate and improve SBIR/STTR results in Missouri. MTC has contracted with the Missouri Small Business and Technology Development Centers (MoFAST) effort to provide technical assistance and assist with accepting applications.

Phase 0 forms and information

• Phase 0 Solicitation
• Phase 0 Template (Word document)
• Phase 0 Consulting Agreement
  MTC has reallocated a limited amount of funding into the Phase 0 program in the spring of 2010. For more information on applying for a MoTIP Phase O grant please contact your local MoFAST counselor.

Commercialization Assistance Program (CAP) Loan Info

The Commercialization Assistance Program Loan provides funding to Phase I SBIR/STTR awardees to acquire assistance from a list of qualified vendors to give feedback and improve the quality of their Phase II Commercialization Plan, hence increasing their chance of Phase II SBIR/STTR award. In addition, the program hopes to increase the chance of commercialization success of the developed product/technology by improving the Commercialization Plan of the business. A company will be awarded up to $10,000 to acquire the services of the qualified vendor. If awarded, MTC will pay the fee to the vendor directly on behalf of the CAP awardees.

Resources

• Grant writer resources

• MoFAST brochure

• Competition tip

MoTIP news

• Missouri Missouri Technology Corp. announces additional funding to support high-tech company growth
• MissouriBusiness.net: New funding program to offer boosts to technology researchers in Missouri
• STLtoday.com: Missouri unveils new fund to bolster high-tech ventures
• Columbia Business Times: State, local agencies using new
  funding source for high-tech companies
• Missouri Technology Corporation: MTC, MO SBTDC partner for new
  funding source for innovative high-tech companies

After reviewing the solicitation documents above, if you have any questions, please send your inquiries to:

Francis Chmelir
Director, External Operations
314-824-1922
chmelirfp@missouri.edu