Launch Minnesota Grants

Innovation Grants

The Innovation Grant reimburses business expenses, incurred in Minnesota, for research and development, direct business expenses (including wages of employees, but not salaries or wages of 20% or more owners of the business or their family members), and the purchase of technical assistance and services. Qualifying businesses may receive grants up to $35,000, which are disbursed on a 2:1 reimbursement basis (grantee spends $2, then gets reimbursed $1).

Eligibility Criteria

• Primary business activity is in innovative technology or in an innovative business model or product
• Business operations and headquarters are located in Minnesota
• Business has not been in operation for more than 10 years
• Business has raised less than $1 million in equity financing
• Business has not previously received a Launch Minnesota Innovation Grant

Business Operation

Apply

Before applying, potential applicants should review additional eligibility requirements detailed in the eligibility document. Grant applications are only accepted during the application period and applicants can expect to be notified per the published schedule. We recommend completing the free Lean Startup class offered through Launch Minnesota before submitting a grant application to increase your likelihood of receiving funding. Classes are ongoing. They are recommended but not required.

Apply Here (applications open on November 1, 2024)

Contact

Launch Minnesota is a statewide collaborative effort to accelerate the growth of startups and amplify Minnesota as a national leader in innovation. The resources will focus on innovative scalable startups. Visit Launch Minnesota to learn more and see the grant recipients to date. Here is a link to join the e-newsletter.

For questions about the Launch Minnesota program and grant applications, contact LaunchMinnesota@state.mn.us.

SBIR/STTR Matching Grants

The Minnesota Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Matching Grant provides funding to Federal SBIR/STTR first time Phase 1 and Phase 2 awardees who were notified/approved after July 1, 2022. Qualifying businesses receive grants based on sliding scale of their Federal award up to $35,000 for Phase 1 awards and up to $50,000 for Phase 2 awards. Applicants may receive one grant per biennium (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2025).

Eligibility Criteria

• Register with the MNSBIR, Inc.'s SBIR/STTR Catalyst
• Federal SBIR/STTR first time Phase 1 or Phase 2 awardee after July 1, 2022
• Federal award must be made on or after July 1, 2022 and have a minimum of 120 days remaining in the project period at the time of application
• Business operations and headquarters are located in Minnesota

Apply

Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis and applicants can expect to be notified per the published schedule. Before applying, potential applicants should review additional eligibility requirements detailed in this eligibility document. Grants will be awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Apply Here (applications are no longer being accepted)

Contact

Launch Minnesota is a statewide collaborative effort to accelerate the growth of startups and amplify Minnesota as a national leader in innovation. The resources will focus on innovative scalable startups. Visit Launch Minnesota to learn more and see the grant recipients to date. Here is a link to join the e-newsletter.

For questions about the Launch Minnesota program and grant applications, contact LaunchMinnesota@state.mn.us.

For information about MNSBIR, Inc.