Launch Minnesota Grants

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 mn.gov/launchmn to learn more and see the grant recipients to date.

Applying for the Grants

The 2021 Minnesota Legislature, in its Special Session which ended June 30, 2021, reauthorized the Launch Minnesota Grant Program, funded it at $1.5 million for each fiscal year (FY) 2022 through 2025. Launch Minnesota Innovation Grants target the most promising, innovative businesses and technology in Minnesota. Together we’re working to support Minnesota startups and entrepreneurs who are solving problems and growing our state’s innovation ecosystem.

Available Funding

Launch Minnesota's FY 2023 grant funding of $1.5 million became available as of July 1, 2022. $1 million of the funding was reserved for Innovation Grants and $500 thousand was reserved for SBIR/STTR Matching Grants. Funding for SBIR/STTR Matching Grants was exhausted on September 8, 2022. Funding for Innovation Grants was exhausted on November 29, 2022.

Application Period

Applications for FY 2023 Innovation Grants and SBIR/STTR Matching Grants are no longer being accepted. We anticipate accepting applications for $1.5 million of FY 2024 funds on July 5, 2023. Additional details will be published on June 1, 2023.

Innovation Grants
SBIR/STTR Matching Grants

Innovation Grants

Applications for an Innovation Grant is closed. Funding for FY 2023 Innovation Grants was exhausted on November 29, 2022. We anticipate accepting applications for $1.5 million of FY 2024 funds on July 5, 2023.

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). Applicants may receive one grant per biennium (July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023; July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025)

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 generated less than $1 million in revenue since inception
Business Operation

Apply

Before applying, potential applicants should review additional eligibility requirements detailed in the eligibility document. Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis 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.

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 launchminnesota.org 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 program specialist, Maddy LeClaire, 651-328-3124.
SBIR/STTR Matching Grants

Applications for a SBIR/STTR Matching Grant is closed. Funding for FY 2023 SBIR/STTR Matching Grants was exhausted on September 8, 2022. We anticipate accepting applications for $1.5 million of FY 2024 funds on July 5, 2023.

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, 2019. 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, 2021 – June 30, 2023).

Eligibility Criteria
- Register with the Minnesota SBIR/STTR (MNSBIR) Accelerator
- Federal SBIR/STTR first time Phase 1 or Phase 2 awardee after July 1, 2019
- Federal award must be made on or after July 1, 2021 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

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

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 launchminnesota.org 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 program specialist, Maddy LeClaire, 651-328-3124.

For questions about the Minnesota SBIR/STTR Accelerator, contact the program’s Director, Pat Dillon, 612-669-1274.