The Montana Technology Innovation Partnership (MTIP) Program Moves Forward

The Montana Technology Innovation Partnership (MTIP) http://mtip.mt.gov/ program, one of several highly successful business-assistance efforts within the Montana Department of Commerce’s Business Resource Division, is pleased to announce it is moving forward following the departure of long-time program manager, Linda Brander. With oversight from Ann Desch, SBDC Bureau Administrator, new and existing clients are still able to access the services that have made MTIP a reliable resource for Montana’s technology-based small businesses for more than seven years.

For those unfamiliar with MTIP, it evolved out of the previous state SBIR Rural Outreach Program, which was originally funded with an SBA grant. Much of MTIP’s activity is still directed to small businesses and university researchers seeking help in accessing the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. This assistance includes in-depth help with proposal development, commercialization planning, intellectual-property management, licensing, the complexities of governmental accounting, and other issues pertinent to small technology firms — all provided at no cost to the client. MTIP also routinely offers workshops and seminars on these same and related issues, with its new 2009 schedule soon to be posted at http://mtip.mt.gov/.

MTIP also now offers its services to technology companies targeting other technology-funding opportunities, including the Montana Board of Research and Commercialization Technology (MBRCT) and the Montana Growth Through Agriculture program. While both of these programs provide funding support for the development and commercialization of appropriate technologies, MBRCT may be particularly appealing because its annual solicitation period is now open at http://businessresources.mt.gov/Includes/RCT/2010_Guidelines.pdf, with completed proposals due by March 2nd. MBRCT accepts applications on a wide range of technologies, but has set-asides especially for production-agriculture technologies and clean-coal and renewable-energy technologies.

Whether a company is targeting SBIR, STTR, MBRCT, Growth Through Agriculture, or some other technology-focused funding source, MTIP’s experienced service providers often make the difference in whether the proposal is funded or rejected. Technology companies and university researchers interested in learning more about MTIP’s services should call MTIP at 406-841-2747.

Sincerely,

Ann Desch, State SBDC Director

SBDC Lead Center

Montana Department of Commerce

PO Box 200505

301 South Park

Helena, MT 59620-0505

(406) 841-2746

[email protected]

FAX: (406) 841-2728

"Guiding Montana Businesses to Success"