Startup and Growth Company Support

If you want to start a business but don’t know where to begin, or have an existing business you’d like to expand, we’re here to help. Our comprehensive guide of startup and growth company resources in Montana has all the information you need to take the next step.

Build your business in Montana

Table of Contents

Business Accelerators and Incubators

    • 90-day program

    • No fees, no equity

    • C2M Beta is a technology accelerator that partners with startups and innovative corporations to establish an impact in the Rocky Mountain region. C2M’s 90-day program is offered at no fee and is open to companies across the U.S. Previous participants include PatientOne and Audience Awards. C2M has served many founders and is responsible for over 1000 mentor hours supporting multiple cohorts.

    • 7 day program

    • No fees, no equity

    • Early Stage Montana’s HyperAccelerator is designed to help the highest-potential emerging tech companies in Montana quickly go from startup to scaling. Invited cohort companies attend a week-long intensive training program with 50+ top-notch mentors for training and advice on go-to-market plans, product strategy, capital investment plans, exit strategies, and other topics founders need to succeed.

    • Affordable office space for startups.

    • University is nearby granting easy access to additional resources.

    • MonTEC is a technology-focused incubator that allows businesses at the startup stage to grow in a controlled environment. MonTEC offers affordable solutions for office and workspace for tech-focused Montana startups. They have a strong commitment to connecting people and bringing businesses together into a shared community.

    • Business accelerator and coworking space.

    • Launched in 2022 by Big Sky Economic Development in the heart of Downtown Billings, Rock31 is a hub for entrepreneurs to come together in a co-working and event space that includes three meeting rooms, content creation rooms, virtual and private offices, and dedicated desks. Rock31 also offers access to support services including business counseling, training, mentor networks, professional services, and funding.

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Business Plan or Pitch Competitions

    • $75,000 prize pool

    • Open to high school students

    • Hosted by the Montana Chamber of Commerce, The Prospects (Youth Entrepreneurs) is a pitch competition designed for Middle and High School Students from around Montana. Students are asked to provide business plans and video pitches for new and existing small businesses across 4 different events. In 2022 over $75,000 was offered to winners across the state.

  • $50,000 prize pool

    Present your idea to over 250 business professionals

    Any Montana college or university student welcome to apply

    The statewide John Ruffatto Business Startup Challenge is hosted by the University of Montana College of Business in Missoula. This is an annual spring competition where students from any college in Montana can pitch new entrepreneurial ideas. The 16 final teams will have the chance to win up to $50,000 in awards, present their idea to over 250 business professionals, and network with other entrepreneurs. Submissions are at the beginning of every year.

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Entrepreneurial Support Programs

    • Free, direct venture support and mentorship.

    • Launched at Montana State University in 2013, the Blackstone LaunchPad is a non-profit campus resource for students, alumni, and faculty interested in business and entrepreneurship. The LaunchPad works with established businesses and fledgling entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life and grow their businesses.

    • Free, collaborative help with new or existing business projects.

    • The Blackstone LaunchPad launched at the University of Montana in 2014 to provide UM students in any discipline the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship as a viable career path and develop entrepreneur skills and mindsets. The LaunchPad provides a variety of services and events for UM students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as Montana community members and entrepreneurs. These include free venture coaching, internships, jobs, competitions, events, courses, NSF I-Corps, and much more. You can connect with the Launchpad through either their website or in person at their on-site location.

    • Streamlines the contracting process

    • Assists businesses of all sizes

    • The Montana Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) aims to connect Montana businesses with government customers by assisting small businesses through the contracting process. Montana PTAC offers consulting, training, and networking to help these small businesses find, bid, and win government contracts.

    • Locations: Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Havre, Helena, Kalispell, Miles City, Missoula, and Wolf Point

    • Free counseling

    • Low cost business training

    • The SBDC provides tools and guidance to help Montana small businesses succeed. They offer free one-on-one counseling on startup business plans, financial help, and marketing guidance. The SBDC also offers low-cost business training.

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Networking Events

    • The Hellgate Venture Network facilitates informal networking among entrepreneurs and advisers engaged in building growth businesses in Montana. Founded in 2009 by Dawn McGee (Goodworks Ventures) and Paul Gladen (UM Blackstone LaunchPad), entrepreneurs can seek peer-to-peer support and mentorship with no fee or membership required. Meetings are held once a month. Advance RSVP is required.

    • Casual, relaxed environment

    • MT Programmers is a growing community of computer science professionals and enthusiasts with a Central focus connecting programmers with other specialists in the field.

    • Entrenched within the Montana tech community

    • Variety of events and gatherings provide presentations and platforms for networking between many different industries.

    • The Montana High Tech Business Alliance produces many receptions and happy hours designed to help you grow your network. Most events are enhanced by membership with the alliance but are not required. Find more events under the events tab of the MHTBA website or here.

    • Nationwide user base

    • Practice sharing your business idea with an actual audience

    • 1 Million Cups was founded in 2012 and has since reached more than 180 communities nationwide to encourage entrepreneurs with the tools and resources to grow their businesses. Every week, entrepreneurs present business ideas to the local community and learn how those around them can support their business in its growth.

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Industry Groups

    • Big Sky Economic Development (BSED) is a public-private partnership whose mission is to sustain and grow Yellowstone County’s vibrant economy and outstanding quality of life, by providing leadership and resources for business creation, expansion, retention, new business recruitment and community development.

    • Services include business advising and lending, community development, new business recruitment, and talent attraction.

    • Member companies investing over $100 million per year into Montana’s Telecommunications industry

    • Variety of resources available for free on their website

    • Broadband MT (formerly Montana Telecommunications Association) is dedicated to the growth and support of Montana’s telecommunications industry. Members gain a discounted rate and additional privileges at the association’s annual meeting in August and their showcase and trade show in November. They also receive access to a job’s board, a directory listing on their website, access to sponsoring on the association’s website and the opportunity to join the association’s member committee. Check the Broadband MT website for more information.

    • Sponsors events and programs throughout the Missoula community

    • Many free resources for new entrepreneurs

    • The Missoula Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit business partnership working to help businesses throughout Missoula County. They have established many events and programs with an emphasis on networking and entrepreneurship. Check their website for opportunities to get involved.

    • Sponsors events throughout Montana

    • Growing list of resources for budding bioscience businesses

    • Alliance of biotechnology businesses, entrepreneurs, laboratories, hospitals, clinics, and universities throughout Montana dedicated to commercializing, growing, and sustaining globally competitive bioscience enterprises. The alliance maintains a growing list of resources to help businesses gain a foothold in Montana’s expanding bioscience sector. Along with member-exclusive events and an expansive directory of bioscience businesses the Montana Bioscience Alliance has many benefits you can find on their website.

    • Large variety of businesses to help grow your network

    • Helps advocate for issues faced by Montana businesses

    • An organization with connections to many businesses from around Montana, the Montana Chamber of Commerce seeks to help support and grow Montana’s economy through community outreach and business support. The Montana Chamber of Commerce has a plethora of benefits from education to business advocacy available to both members and non-members.

    • Resources specific to manufacturing provide targeted support.

    • Connection to the Montana Chamber of Commerce provides reliability and additional support.

    • The Montana Manufacturing Association helps businesses and startups focused on manufacturing get the resources they need to grow. They connect manufacturers with training, advocate for pro-manufacturing legislation, and promote the career benefits of manufacturing to Montanans, among other things. The Montana Manufacturing Association is an extension of the Montana Chamber of Commerce.

    • Great source for information on the manufacturing industry in Montana and for technical assistance on growing or improving manufacturing operations.

    • The MMEC works with MSU to provide support and solutions for Montana’s manufacturing businesses. The MMEC offers a team of Business Advisors, training events, a collection of online resources, a jobs board, and multiple sources of information on manufacturing in Montana. The MMEC has a number of free resources, while some of its programs and services are fee-based.

    • Gain a network of similar organizations within the photonics industry.

    • Events targeted specifically to those interested in photonics.

    • The Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance provides resources to photonics businesses of all stages throughout the state. By becoming a member, a business will receive company listings on their website, access to workforce training and materials, free access to alliance events, and various other resources.

    • Connected with trade centers from around the world.

    • Dedicated to enhancing trade throughout Montana.

    • The Montana World Trade Center is focused on enhancing international connection and trade throughout Montana. They have a number of events and trainings alongside a plethora of resources available to both members and the public. They are a member of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) which includes nearly 300 trade centers around the world.

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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.