Government Programs

Learn about your federal, state, and local resources

Montana has several public programs available to help growing businesses. Check out our guide to get started, including:

  • Business funding and support through entrepreneur tax credits, government loan guarantees, grants, revolving loan funds, federal contracting, and more

  • International trade services for exporting, trade shows, marketing, and business development in other countries

  • Help with technology transfer and licensing, including SBIR/STTR grants

  • Workforce programs for hiring and training workers

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    • Montana businesses can receive grants of up to $8,000 for reimbursement of newly implemented cybersecurity measures including firewalls, email protections, data destruction, employee training, and more from an accredited Montana cybersecurity company. To qualify for the ARPA Cybersecurity Reimbursement Program, applicants must have a for-profit business open for at least one year with at least five (and no more than fifty) full-time employees. Ineligible activities include cyber insurance, computers or laptops, Microsoft Office, Norton antivirus or other similar programs, and assessments and consultations that don't take any further action. To learn more and apply, visit the Montana Grants application portal.

    • The Montana APEX Accelerator aims to connect Montana businesses with government customers by assisting small businesses through the contracting process. Montana APEX offers consulting, training, and networking to help small businesses find, bid, and win government contracts.

    • The Montana Entrepreneur Magnet Act offers incentives for new businesses formed in Montana. Passed in 2020, Senate Bill 184 exempts qualifying businesses from paying capital gains tax on the sale of employee-owned stock.

    • The Montana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides tools and guidance to help Montana small businesses succeed. They offer free one-on-one counseling and low-cost training in areas such as financial analysis, business planning, strategic planning, loan packaging, financial projections, and market research to help small businesses achieve their goals of growth, innovation, and success.

    • The Montana State Auditor, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Securities Division (CSI) is a responsive agency serving and safeguarding Montana consumers by regulating the insurance and securities industries, investigating fraud, and prosecuting criminals. The CSI Division produces annual reports showcasing success stories that have protected Montana’s consumers, as well as resources for investors and Native American tribal governments.

Business Funding and Support

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    • ExportMontana provides export information, as well as technical and marketing assistance, to Montana companies pursuing commercial opportunities. ExportMontana hosts a number of grants for exporters, including support for international trade shows, market research, foreign language translation, international compliance testing and intellectual property protection, e-Commerce and website fees, EXIM credit insurance, and international travel stipends.

    • The Montana World Trade Center (MWTC) focuses on enhancing international connections and trade throughout Montana. They have several events and trainings alongside a plethora of resources available to both its members and the public. The MWTC is a member of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) which includes nearly 300 trade centers worldwide.

    • The STEP Program is a resource provided by the Montana Department of Commerce’s Export Montana division. It allows Montana exporters to receive reimbursement of up to $10,000 for select export activities. This resource is available to businesses of any size engaging in export activities within Montana.

    • The Export-Import (EXIM) Bank is the official export credit agency of the United States. EXIM supports American job creation, prosperity, and security through exporting, and assists entrepreneurs by unlocking financing solutions for U.S. companies competing around the globe.

International Trade

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Technology Transfer and Licensing

    • Montana Technology Innovation Partnership (MTIP) powered by MSU TechLink Center serves early-stage tech founders competing for federal research and development funds through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

    • MTIP offers workshops and, proposal assistance with solicitation matching, coaching, proposal reviews, market research, and commercialization strategies. They also offer FAST microgrants to help offset out-of-pocket expenses related to preparing a strong proposal including IP protection or accounting services, customer discovery visits, and more.

  • The NASA Technology Transfer program ensures that innovations developed for exploration and discovery are broadly available to the public. Resources include the free software catalog, patent portfolio, success stories, Technology Transfer University (T2U) information, and inventor webinars.

    • The National Institute of Aging (NIA) grants and funding are designed for bioscience businesses working in various fields related to aging. Businesses and research organizations should search the NIA’s grant funding guide for opportunities tailored to their specific needs.

    • The SBIR/STTR Program offers funding to entrepreneurs, support organizations and federal agencies in the tech space, with potential awards of over $1,000,000. These grants are highly competitive and designed for businesses that have potentially commercial research or research and development projects that require extra funding. The grants are doled out via an awards system through a series of three phases. The Montana Department of Commerce offers a Matching Funds program for businesses in phases 1 and 2 of the SBIR/STTR program. Companies must apply separately for these funds after acquiring an SBIR/STTR grant.

    • TechLink assists with marketing new inventions from the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs and navigating businesses and entrepreneurs through the licensing process. Tech Link helps companies evaluate federally-developed inventions from DOD and VA labs, develop high-quality license applications and commercialization plans, partner with DOD and VA inventors for joint research and development, and access unique research facilities.

    • The Techlink technology managers have expertise in many industry areas, including advanced materials and nanotechnology, aerospace, electronics, environmental technology, medical and biotechnology, photonics and sensors, and software and information technologies.

  • The eidotech project is a regional innovation cluster of the Small Business Administration, operated by Shadow Ridge Analytics. The eidotech project helps Montana companies in the quantum, photonics, and smart sensing space grow their ideas from concept to end product through fractional executive services, business advisory, licensing and tech transfer support, government contracting assistance, and its Bridge Fund prize system which awards companies up to $50k for commercialization activities.

    • The Montana State University Technology Transfer Office (TTO) works to commercialize the inventions of MSU faculty, spur entrepreneurship based on MSU technology, and provide a gateway for industries looking to utilize MSU resources. The benefits of technology transfer accrue to faculty, MSU centers, departments, and colleges, as well as local and national corporations.

    • The UM Office of Technology Transfer (UMTTO) supports the commercialization of intellectual property developed at UM through the management of its intellectual property portfolio and the cultivation of partnerships with new or established private companies. Clinic students have the opportunity to draft intellectual property agreements, licenses, material transfer agreements, and non-disclosure agreements; participate in securing, perfecting, and maintaining trademark, copyright, and patent rights; advise the University, faculty, and staff on UM’s intellectual property rights policies, advise the best course of IP protection, and draft new UMTTO policies.

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Workforce

    • By collaborating with Montana businesses and partners in education and economic development across the state, Accelerate Montana brings Montanans the training they need to upskill, compete, and thrive. Accelerate Montana’s Rapid Training Program is the new way to employ and get employed. By utilizing a skills-focused hiring process, Accelerate Montana helps organizations identify their hiring needs while offering them a pool of candidates with the skills they are looking for. In addition, Accelerate Montana partners with employers to build programs based on their specific needs and the needs of their employees.

    • The Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF) program's overall objective is to aid in the development of good-paying jobs for residents and to promote long-term, stable economic growth in Montana. There are two distinct methods to achieve this goal: Planning and Job Creation. See the program guidelines for more information about the program specifics, including eligibility, penalties, procedures, and other requirements.

  • Produced by the Montana Work-Based Learning Collaborative, the WBL Toolkit for Employers provides employers with resources, tools, and guidance to successfully develop high-quality work-based learning experiences for student workers.

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Do you have a helpful resource you’d like to suggest we add to this guide? Do you have information you are searching for, or other feedback? The Montana High Tech Business Alliance would love to hear from you. Please reach out to us at communications[at]mthightech.org.