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Technology Matching Grants

The Wisconsin Department of Commerce's Technology Matching Grant program is open to small Wisconsin businesses that are completing an application for federal funds to assist with the development or commercialization of a technologically-innovative product, process or service.

Underwriting Criteria

Commerce anticipates that demand for these funds will exceed the availability.  Therefore, a competitive application process using the following underwriting criteria will determine the actual level of Commerce's participation, if any.  Commerce will consider all of the following items, in addition to any other information the Department considers relevant:

  1. The amount of economic impact the applicant, if successful, will have in Wisconsin.

  2. The quality of any busineses assisting the applicant.

  3. The level of need demonstrated by the applicant.

  4. The applicant's past record of obtaining early stage financing, including federal funds.

  5. The viability of the applicant's business.

  6. The likelihood that the applicant will successfully commercialize technology.

  7. The applicant's management plan and management team.

  8. If the application relates to a product, that the product will be manufactured substantially in Wisconsin.

  9. If the application relates to a service, that the principal place of business from which the service will be sold will be located in Wisconsin.

Application Materials

The Department of Commerce is developing online application materials for the Technology Matching Grant program.  These forms should be available on this website in the near future.  In the meantime, applications may be obtained by contacting John Stricker.

What are the Eligibility Criteria?

  • Eligible applicants must have fewer than 100 full-time equivalent employees.

(Businesses that have applied for SBIR Phase I funding are not eligible, since that funding is based primarily on scientific and technical merit, not on the sources of funding for the project.  Commerce's Technology Assistance Grants are available for these businesses.)

  • Eligible businesses may receive funding up to 20% (maximum of $250,000) of the eligible project costs.  Federal grant funds will be included in this match.

  • Eligible project costs are those identified in the technology-related federal grant application.  They may include reasonable costs to develop or commercialize a technologically-innovative product, process or service.  Funds will be distributed proportionately over the life of the project.

  • All grant money must be spent in this state.

  • Federal applications must require matching fund participation.

  • Application must be made prior to submitting federal application and the state matching commitment must be included in the submission.

  • If the federal application does not require matching funds, Commerce is willing to provide written project support for future fund consideration.

For more information about Technology Matching Grants, contact:
John Stricker
 608/261-7710
 John.Stricker@Wisconsin.gov