Original Publication Date: April 8, 2011
The Missouri IDEA (Innovation, Development, and Entrepreneurship Advancement) Funds promote the formation and growth of businesses that engage in the transfer of science and technology into job creation. The funds provide financing to eligible businesses through four components that correspond to the four stages of growth for investment-grade, high-growth enterprises: (1) pre-seed capital stage financing; (2) seed capital stage financing; (3) venture capital stage financing; and (4) expansion-stage debt. Funding decisions are made on a quarterly basis through a competitive application process.
IDEA Funds Summary
- Summary: TechLaunch is designed to help high-tech entrepreneurs overcome the principal financing challenges of launching new start-ups that leverage discoveries and talent at Missouri’s world-class public and private universities and other research organizations.
- Funding Available: The amount of requested co-investment should be specifically and narrowly tailored to the plan outlined in the application submitted to MTC, but individual awards will not exceed $100,000. Accordingly, it is not expected that each applicant will request the maximum amount of funds that may be awarded under this program. Awards will be in the form of equity or convertible debt.
- Summary: The Seed Capital Co-Investment Fund is designed to accelerate private seed-stage investment in Missouri-based start-up companies and to increase the overall investment impact of that third-party investment.
- Funding Available: The amount of requested co-investment should be specifically and narrowly tailored to the plan outlined in the application submitted to MTC, but individual awards will not exceed $500,000. Accordingly, it is not expected that each applicant will request the maximum amount of funds that may be awarded under this program. Awards will be in the form of equity or convertible debt.
- Summary: The Venture Capital Co-Investment Fund is designed to accelerate private venture capital investment in Missouri-based start-up companies and to increase the overall investment impact of that third-party investment.
- Funding Available: The amount of requested co-investment should be specifically and narrowly tailored to the plan outlined in the application submitted to MTC, but individual awards will not exceed $2,500,000. Accordingly, it is not expected that each applicant will request the maximum amount of funds that may be awarded under this program. Awards will be in the form of equity or convertible debt.
- Summary: The High-Tech Industrial Expansion Fund supports industrial expansion efforts in Missouri that result in significant capital investment and high-paying jobs in its targeted biotech and high-tech clusters with an emphasis on those that leverage Missouri’s rich agricultural history.
- Funding Available: The request for financial support should be specifically and narrowly tailored to the plan outlined in the application submitted to MTC, but individual awards will not exceed $3,000,000. Accordingly, it is not expected that each applicant will request the maximum amount of funds that may be awarded under this program. Awards are typically in the form of a secured low-interest loan.