Department Of Commerce

The SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program assists technology-based Montana companies by providing additional funding that can be used for technology development or other uses during the time that the company is working on a Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer project with a federal agency. This additional funding increases the likelihood that technology-based Montana companies will be able to develop products and services that can be successfully marketed.

The federal SBIR/STTR program provides for funding competitions in two phases that are relevant to the Montana Program:

  • Phase I – to conduct feasibility research
  • Phase II – to expand and develop Phase I results and develop commercially viable innovations
Grants of up to $30,000 per phase are available on a yearly basis. 

The Montana Department of Commerce administers the Montana SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program in the manner set forth in the guidelines. In all cases, awards will be made at the discretion of Commerce.

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What is the purpose of the Montana SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program?
The purpose of the Montana SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program is to foster job creation and economic development in the state by providing matching grants to eligible businesses meeting the criteria set forth in the application guidelines.

What type of assistance does the Montana SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program provide?
The program is a funding source for grants.

How can the funds be used?
Funds must be used to help the company complete the SBIR or STTR project or otherwise assist the company in the development of a product or service related to the federal SBIR or STTR award.

What is the application deadline?
Applications can be submitted at any time.

In order to receive a Phase II award, does the business had to receive a Phase I award?
Business must have received a Phase I award before they are eligible to apply for a Phase II award. Additionally, applications for a Phase II funding request must be received by Commerce no later than 90 days after the scheduled end date of the Phase I project. See the guidelines for exceptions.

What are the reporting requirements?
Quarterly reports are required for the duration of the project, and a final report is due at the end of the project.

What is the funding source for the Montana SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program?
The Montana Legislature appropriates a biannual appropriation to Commerce for the program.

Where is the statutory authorization found for the Montana SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program?
90-1-117 through 90-1-119, MCA, established the Montana SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program.

Montana BioAgriculture, Inc.
MSMFP Phase I funds were awarded to Montana BioAgriculture to be used in conjunction with the completion of a National Institutes of Food and Agriculture Phase I project entitled, “Endophytic entomopathogenic fungi for control of wheat stem sawfly and Fusarium head blight." Montana BioAgriculture is working to develop naturally occurring fungi as commercial products to address the most important issues facing wheat and barley producers: drought, diseases such as Fusarium head blight and the wheat stem sawfly. 

Prime Labs, Inc.
MSMFP Phase I funds were awarded to Prime Labs to be used in conjunction with the completion of SAAD Based Mass Spectrometry Data Processing for Antibody Therapeutics for COVID-19 and Other Diseases. Prime Labs will devise or find and modify an algorithm for glycan structure prediction that enumerates possible structures given a specific mass.

Peak Protein, LLC
MSMFP Phase I funds were awarded to Peak Protein to be used in conjunction with the completion of Cricketein: Cricket Derived Protein Hydrolysates with Versatile Techno-functionalities and Bio-Activity for Food Ingredient Applications. Peak Protein is developing cricket protein hydrolysates for food and dietary quality and sensory acceptance.

Bravo 2 Whiskey, LLC
MSMFP Phase I funds were awarded to Bravo 2 Whiskey to be used in conjunction with the completion of an Improved Flight Test Methods and Aviation Safety Using Artificial Intelligence. Bravo 2 Whiskey hopes to generate the concept of improving both flight test methods and aviation safety overall, using artificial intelligence, specifically machine and deep learning.

Montana BioAgriculture, Inc.
MSMFP Phase II funds were awarded to Montana BioAgriculture to be used in conjunction with the completion of a “Curvularia: Fungal Symbiosis For Drought Protection in Barley.” The goal is to develop C Protuberata to the point where Montana BioAgriculture can raise private capital to finance commercial production and marketing.

NWB Sensors, Inc.
MSMFP Phase II funds were awarded to NWB Sensors to be used in conjunction with completion of a "Intelligent Mapping of the Farm Using Low-Cost, GPS-Enabled Cameras During Existing Farm Activities." Specifically, the funds will be used to conduct a grower study focused on organic growers. The research will develop dual-camera system, update data processing methods to handle dual camera imagery and deploy ruggedized system during the summer 2021 harvest.

xD Bio, Inc.
MSMFP Phase II funds were awarded to xD Bio to be used in conjunction with the completion of an “Integrated Web Interface For Cloud-based Computational Reproducibility Using the ENCODE Analysis Pipeline Architecture,” The funds will be used for commercialization activities such as marketing and branding, market research and developing a launch strategy.

Kathy Bartlett, Grants Coordinator
Phone: 406-841-2792


P.O. Box 20050
301 S. Park Ave.
Helena, MT 59620-0505