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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.

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 use the Catalyst Readiness Tool before submitting applying to the Catalyst Program.

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