FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MNSBIR, Inc. Awarded $1 Million by Minnesota Legislature to Support Small Business Innovation
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – MNSBIR, Inc., a nonprofit public-private partnership dedicated to advancing small business innovation, research, and development, is proud to announce it has been awarded $1 million by the Minnesota State Legislature for the upcoming biennium. Governor Tim Walz signed this legislation on June 14, 2025.
This critical investment of taxpayer dollars will enable MNSBIR to continue and expand its mission: supporting Minnesota’s small businesses and entrepreneurs in securing federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding—key drivers of innovation, job creation, and long-term economic growth.
MNSBIR provides strategic support to startups and small businesses as they navigate the complex SBIR/STTR funding processes and requirements. Through outreach, education, and business and technical assistance, MNSBIR helps transform bold ideas into nationally recognized innovations.
“We are deeply grateful to the Minnesota Legislature and Governor Walz for recognizing the power of innovation-driven small businesses and the critical importance of investing in early-stage research and development that leads to full scale commercialization. Our clients—including startups from the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, and private-sector firms—are advancing groundbreaking innovations in medical devices, artificial intelligence, energy, national security, and more. These efforts are shaping future products and services that deliver meaningful economic and societal impact,” said Pat Dillon, President & CEO of MNSBIR, Inc.
“I’m proud to be a part of MNSBIR. Since Pat founded MNSBIR 10 years ago, it has helped more than 100 Minnesota startups and small business win more than $112M in non-dilutive funding to help grow our hi-tech community.” Said Brian Brockway, Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder and CEO, VivaQuant.
Beyond supporting innovation, this investment directly benefits Minnesota’s broader economic development ecosystem. SBIR/STTR-supported companies create high-paying jobs, strengthen supply chains, open new markets, and bring groundbreaking technologies to life—from life-saving medical devices and clean energy solutions to next-generation manufacturing platforms.
MNSBIR’s work helps ensure more federal research dollars flow into Minnesota—advancing a future-ready economy with lasting social and economic benefits. To learn more about MNSBIR, Inc., visit minnesotasbir.org. Client success stories can be viewed at youtube.com/@mnsbir
About MNSBIR, Inc.
MNSBIR, Inc. operates as a 501(c)(3) organization, supported in part through a Federal and State Technology Partnership Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, a legislative appropriation grant from the Department of Employment and Economic Development, and a financial contribution from the University of Minnesota, Technology Commercialization, and the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship. With decades of proven expertise and strong relationships across the 11 participating federal agencies, MNSBIR, Inc. specializes in guiding qualifying firms through the process, making it less daunting and more manageable.
About SBIR/STTR
SBA coordinates the SBIR/STTR programs, known as America’s Seed Fund across the eleven participating federal agencies. Over $4 billion in early-stage seed capital is provided annually through over 6,000 awards to more than 4,000 small businesses. Federal agencies announce funding opportunities as either grants or contracts to address their research and development needs. Companies supported by the Americas Seed Fund often generate some of the most important breakthroughs each year in the U.S. Additional information about the programs, as well as past and current topics, can be found at www.sbir.gov.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.