TECSBA Regional Innovation Cluster awardees revealed including MonTEC in Missoula, Montana

Seven regional innovation cluster (RIC) initiatives have each been awarded $500,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Although the SBA has yet to publish an official press release indicating the release of the 2019 Regional Innovation Cluster awardees, SSTI identified the awardees through other sources, such as USASpending.gov and a review of local news media.

In Montana, an initiative led by the Montana Technology Enterprise Center (MonTEC) will focus on boosting the state’s bioscience industry, according to a recent article in The Missoulian. In addition to MonTEC, the initiative will also collaborate with the Missoula Economic Partnership, the Montana Bioscience Alliance, Montana World Trade Center, the University of Montana, the Missoula Economic Partnership, and Swan Valley Medical. The funds will go toward “engagement between companies and researchers, workforce development programs that align existing and anticipated industry need, technical assistance and a gap fund to help bioscience entrepreneurs,” according to the article.

Read on for more information on the program’s other awardees.