Two statewide programs that aim to take Wisconsin companies and entrepreneurs from the research and development phase to commercialization recently announced new funding rounds. The SBIR Advance Program is backing eight young technology companies, while Ideadvance will provide funds to nine entrepreneurs from University of Wisconsin System schools.

 

SBIR Advance, which is funded by WEDC and administered by UW-Extension’s Center for Technology Commercialization, is providing $75,000 each to the following companies:

WEDC created the SBIR Advance program to provide state matching funds, training and other resources to Wisconsin businesses to advance the commercialization of technology funded through the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, and ultimately to expedite economic and job creation impact in Wisconsin. WEDC’s program aims to fill critical funding gaps for activities such as market research, customer validation, patent development and regulatory assessment, which are restricted under the federal awards.

 

Ideadvance, a $2 million seed fund launched last year by the UW System and WEDC, supports projects created at UW schools other than UW-Madison. The program’s funds help accelerate startups’ commercialization efforts, providing up to $75,000 in two stages for entrepreneurs who are working to bring their ideas to fruition, analyze markets, assess demand and tap into investment sources.

The following nine UW System entrepreneurs are receiving a share of up to $325,000:

Stage One Recipients

  • DG1 (UW-Milwaukee)
  • Tactical Athlete (UW-Milwaukee)
  • Gift of Tongues (UW-Eau Claire)
  • YourBook (UW-Platteville)
  • Ictect (WiSys Technology Foundation)

Stage Two Recipients

  • Nannoaffix (UW-Milwaukee)
  • Organic Research Corporation (UW-Milwaukee)
  • Tali Payments (UW-Milwaukee)
  • Innovative Foundry Technologies (UW-Whitewater)