MADISON – The Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC) is offering a matching grant of up to $100,000 to provide additional assistance to companies in the process of completing a project in the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
This is the 27th round of SBIR Advance funding dedicated by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) since SBIR Advance began in 2014.
“The SBIR Advance Phase II program, established in 2019, is focused on helping companies gain the traction needed to attract investors and strategic partners,”said Rob Baranowski, SBIR Advance program manager. “Over the past ten years, 196 awards totaling over $16.4 million have been awarded. Those businesses reported obtaining $99.2 million in follow-on funding since receiving the SBIR Advance matching grants.
Deadlines are quickly approaching:
- Noon Apr. 14, 2026: Brief intent to apply due, link found at http://wisconsinctc.org/sbir-advance.
- Noon Apr. 24, 2026: Full application due, link found at http://wisconsinctc.org/sbir-advance.
To be eligible, companies must have an SBIR/STTR project in Phase II of funding. All companies must have a significant presence in Wisconsin to be considered for the grant; and be registered within the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Companies chosen for funding will be notified the week of May 7, 2026.
“We’ll be opening a new round of SBIR Advance grants with proposals due in April 2026,” said Baranowski. “Our program continues to help innovative companies move from SBIR grants to ultimately commercialize their products. We fund companies based on need and their potential impact on Wisconsin’s economy, and it’s always rewarding to see the measurable results our clients achieve. This spring’s round will be limited to Phase II proposals, with Phase I funding expected to return in the fall.”
For more details on the SBIR Advance program and current eligibility requirements, contact Baranowski at .
SBIR Advance is part of a Start-Seed-Scale (S3) initiative that WEDC is pursuing with the help of the Universities of Wisconsin and other business leaders throughout the state to remove barriers to high-tech commercialization. Under the S3 umbrella, WEDC and its economic development partners are implementing financial and operational assistance programs designed specifically to address Wisconsin’s business startup and seed-funding challenges.
About Center for Technology Commercialization
The Center for Technology Commercialization is part of the Universities of Wisconsin Office of Business & Entrepreneurship. CTC provides one-on-one expert consulting to early-stage emerging technology businesses throughout Wisconsin. CTC has collaborated in acquiring more than $100 million in federal and other funding for clients. Learn more at https://wisconsinctc.org/; follow @WisconsinCTC on X and Bluesky.
About Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing and maximizing opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses, communities and people to thrive in a globally competitive environment. Working with more than 600 regional and local partners, WEDC develops and delivers solutions representative of a highly responsive and coordinated economic development network. Learn more at https://wedc.org; follow @WEDCNews on X.
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