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Catalyst Program

Get started on your path to commercialization.

MNSBIR Programs - CATALYSTThe Catalyst Program offers free, personalized coaching to startups and small businesses, fewer than 500 employees, engaged in early-stage research and development with strong commercialization potential. Our support helps eligible firms to navigate the SBIR/STTR process and secure federal funding to bring innovative ideas to market.

Our Catalyst Program support spans all SBIR/STTR phases—Phase I, Phase II, Fast Track, Direct to Phase II, and Phase IIB—across 11 federal agencies. We work with eligible firms throughout the SBIR/STTR lifecycle, often over multiple years, to accelerate development and improve long-term success.

The goal of each project should lead to a commercial product, process, or service over years. Eligible R&D activities include applied research and prototype development leading to scale-up.

We evaluate each project based on:

  • Technological innovation
  • Technical feasibility
  • Technical risk
  • Market potential
  • Commercialization

Our mission is to equip businesses with the tools, knowledge, and expert guidance needed to secure funding and successfully transition their innovation from concept to commercialization.

Cohort Model

We provide specialized support for NIH, NSF, and DOD applicants through facilitated cohorts that run periodically throughout the year.

  • NSF SBIR/STTR Cohort Program

    This program helps deep-tech innovators refine their commercialization strategies, secure NSF funding, and accelerate their path to market success.

    The NSF SBIR/STTR Cohort Program helps technology-driven startups and small businesses navigate the NSF SBIR/STTR funding process through targeted education, mentorship, and commercialization support. Firms must have a formal invitation from NSF to submit a full proposal.

    Key Objectives

    • Guide participants in developing competitive NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I proposals.
    • Provide strategic coaching on commercialization, customer discovery, and business development.
    • Facilitate peer learning and networking among science and technology entrepreneurs.
    • Support businesses in securing follow-on funding and strategic partnerships.

    Program Components

    Proposal Development – Guidance on eligibility, NSF review criteria, and proposal writing with expert feedback.
    Budget Development – Develop a budget that accurately reflects the scope of work, ensuring alignment with project objectives, necessary resources, and funding requirements.
    Commercialization Strategy – Develop NSF’s Commercial Opportunity section, refine business models, and conduct customer discovery.
    Technology & Market Validation – Identify commercial applications, navigate IP strategy, and connect with industry partners.
    Cohort Learning & Networking – Engage in workshops, expert panels, and investor connections.

  • NIH SBIR/STTR Cohort Program

    The NIH Cohort helps life science startups and small businesses navigate the NIH funding process, refine their commercialization strategies, and accelerate their path to market success. The Cohort provides structured education and coaching designed to guide small businesses through the NIH SBIR/STTR application process. The program provides targeted education, mentorship, and resources to help participants develop competitive Phase I and Phase II proposals while advancing their biomedical innovations toward commercialization.

    Key Objectives

    • Educate and prepare participants for competitive NIH SBIR/STTR applications.
    • Provide customized coaching on science writing.
    • Facilitate peer learning and networking among life sciences entrepreneurs.
    • Support businesses in securing follow-on funding and strategic partnerships.

    Program Components

    1. SBIR/STTR Proposal Development
      1. Guidance on eligibility, agency priorities, and funding mechanisms.
      2. Step-by-step support for writing strong Phase I and Phase II proposals.
      3. Expert review of applications before submission.
    2. Commercialization Strategy
      1. Development of NIH-required Commercialization Plans for Phase II applications.
      2. Market analysis, IP strategy, and regulatory pathway guidance.
      3. Connections to potential industry partners and investors.
    3. Regulatory & Compliance Support
      1. Preparing regulatory content for the SBIR/STTR Phase I, Fast Track or Direct to Phase II application.
      2. Cohort-Based Learning & Peer Networking
      3. Structured workshops, expert panels, and mentorship from experienced SBIR/STTR funded firms and principal investigators.

    Who Should Participate?

    The Cohort is designed for eligible entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses developing biomedical technologies, including therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics, digital health, and healthcare solutions, who are seeking NIH SBIR/STTR funding.

    Frequency

    The Cohort is offered three times per year to coincide with the NIH deadlines: January 5, April 5 and September 5.

FAQs

  • 1. What is the Catalyst Program?

    The Catalyst Program is a structured support designed to help Minnesota-based small businesses and startups to apply for funding from one or more of the 11 federal agencies. It combines education, individualized coaching, proposal development, post award support and technology commercialization guidance and coaching.

  • 2. Who is eligible to apply?

    Eligible applicants must:

    • Be a Minnesota-based small business with fewer than 500 employees, including affiliates.
    • Have a scientific or technical innovation aligned with an SBIR/STTR participating agency
    • Be in the applied research stage with a clear commercial goal
    • Have the ability and intent to submit a SBIR or STTR proposal within the next 12 months

  • 3. What types of technologies are supported?

    The program supports a wide range of technologies, including but not limited to:

    • Medical devices and digital health
    • Diagnostics and therapeutics
    • Clean energy and climate technologies
    • Defense and aerospace
    • Advanced manufacturing
    • Agriculture and food systems
    • Artificial intelligence and data science

  • 4. How do I apply?

    To apply:

    1. Complete the Catalyst Program Application by providing the detailed responses for each of the five questions. (We use the same questions as the NSF Project Pitch with the addition of the Scientific and Technical Literature question.)
    2. A team member will follow up to assess fit and next steps

  • 5. What does the program include?

    Participants receive:

    • Federal Registration assistance (SAM.gov, research.gov, eRA Commons, etc.)

    SBIR/STTR Phase I

    • Agency matching and solicitation identification
    • One-on-one coaching
    • Proposal review and editing support
    • Budget Review and Preparation

    SBIR/STTR Phase II and Fast Track

    • One-on-one coaching
    • Proposal review and editing support
    • Budget Review and Preparation
    • Commercialization Plan Development and Review

    SBIR Direct to Phase II

    • One-on-one coaching
    • Proposal review and editing support
    • Budget Review and Preparation
    • Commercialization Plan Development and Review

    Commercialization Readiness Program

    • Completed Phase II Projects Only

  • 6. Is there a cost to participate?

    There is no cost to accepted participants. The Catalyst Program is funded through federal and state funding. However, companies must commit the necessary time and effort to continue in the Catalyst Program.   Any application can easily take 200 hours of time to prepare and submit a high quality application.

  • 7. Do I need a university partner?

    No, but projects applying to the STTR program must have a qualified research institution partner. SBIR projects do not require one (helpful if you have a university or medical institution as a collaborator).

  • 8. Do I need a prototype?

    Not necessarily. Many agencies fund early-stage R&D starting at Technology Readiness Levels 2-3. However, you must demonstrate technical feasibility or a clear plan to do so. Some level of preliminary data or proof-of-concept is recommended.

  • 9. When should I apply to Catalyst?

    Apply when:

    • Anytime, applications are accepted 24/7/365
    • You’ve identified a clear research or development goal
    • You are ready to begin federal registrations and proposal writing
    • You intend to submit within the next NIH, NSF, or DoD deadline cycles

  • 10. Can you help with any agency?

    Yes. We have expertise across all 11 federal SBIR/STTR agencies, with specialized cohort support for NIH, NSF and DOD funding. We’ll help you align your project with the right agency and opportunity.

  • 11. Are there any prerequisites before applying to the Catalyst Program?

    Yes.  We want firms to download our MNSBIR Overview first, then attend an Ask Us Anything session before submitting applying to the Catalyst Program.

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