Program goal:
The goal of the Entrepreneurial Micro-Grant (EMG) Program is to support business planning and strategy for entrepreneurs and small business owners in the state of Wisconsin.
Program description:
The EMG Program provides early-stage technology-based companies with services and funding to support their efforts in obtaining significant federal grant funding. Additionally, business planning services rendered by the Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) increase the entrepreneurial proficiency of state entrepreneurs and small business owners.
WEDC provides funding to the Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC) to deliver micro-grants to clients for the services below:
- Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Assistance program, providing up to $4,500 for assistance to prepare and submit an SBIR/STTR or other federal funding proposal. Applicants awarded federal funding may receive an additional $1,000 funding bonus through the program.
- Commercialization Planning Assistance, providing individual and small business applicants up to $4,500 for assistance in completing business validation activities and a comprehensive market study or business plan or commercialization plan to procure Phase II SBIR/STTR funding or to prepare for angel or venture capital funding. Applicants must utilize an eligible professional services provider.
- Entrepreneurial Training Program, providing a grant of up to $750 to entrepreneurs upon successful completion of startup coursework provided by the SBDC in the University of Wisconsin-System. Eligible applicants must provide at least a $250 match. Eligible coursework may focus on either business modeling or business planning.