More than $1.8 million in grant funding to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem statewide has been approved by the MTC Board of Directors for the 2024 Physical Infrastructure Grant Program grant cycle. To date, nearly $3 million dollars have been awarded through MTC’s Physical Infrastructure Grant Program, which seeks to ensure entrepreneurs throughout the state have access to the physical infrastructure and resources required to launch and grow their businesses.
The Physical Infrastructure Grant Program was developed following recommendations from the Catalyzing Innovation Report and is designed to replace and expand the MTC’s previous programmatic support of physical infrastructures in the state in a competitive manner. After a successful pilot of the Physical Infrastructure Grant Program in the spring of 2023, MTC launched the full Physical Infrastructure Grant Program in 2024 which awards funding for up to three years.
The following 2024 Physical Infrastructure Grant Program Proposals were approved:
39 North AgTech Innovation District
The 39 North AgTech Innovation District exists to create the conditions for Missouri agri-food tech innovation to thrive by providing facilities, connections, and support to early-stage innovators and entrepreneurs growing their agri-food tech companies.
Funding will go towards activation and operation of the Collaboration Hub at EDGE@BRDG, a coworking, shared meeting/board room, and event space that will enhance the state’s agtech and agri-food tech entrepreneurial capacity.
BioSTL exists to ensure St. Louis thrives by building a world class innovation economy.
Funding will go towards continued operations of BioGenerator Labs and will defray some salary expense for full-time oversight of the labs in the BioSTL building and Biogenerator Labs operations staff in order to accelerate progress toward the goal of creating 40-50 new Missouri companies.
Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI)
As a rural business incubator situated in the heart of south-central Missouri, OzSBI plays a crucial role in fostering the growth of entrepreneurs across a sparsely populated seven-county region. OzSBI’s mission is to be a supportive community for entrepreneurs and small business owners at every stage of business development.
Funding will go towards renovating the coworking space, enhancing tenant amenities, and upgrading network infrastructure.
Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation (JACC) – Joseph Newman Innovation Center
The mission of the Joseph Newman Innovation Center is to assist in the launch and startup of new businesses, with a particular emphasis on technology companies, as well as identifying funding sources and establishing a pool of funds available for technology and biomedical technology startups.
Funding will go towards maintaining the current level of service to the members of the Joseph Newman Innovation Center and to be better prepared for the possibility of replacing aging AC units and office furniture as well as for the general upkeep of the physical infrastructure.
The mission of the Missouri Innovation Center is to nurture entrepreneurs as they create high-growth ventures in Mid-Missouri that improve lives and grow the economy.
Funding will go towards repair and replacement of essential equipment as well as towards support staff salaries integral to facility operations.
Missouri State University – efactory
The mission of the efactory is to facilitate the successful growth and development of startup and emerging businesses, creating high-wage jobs for the local economy.
Funding will go towards the support of efactory management platforms and facility improvements.
The Porter House KC is committed to providing access to mentorship, educational programming, small-dollar funding, and other resources to current and aspiring entrepreneurs in the Kansas City metropolitan area with a mission to serve as and build a “bridge” between underrepresented entrepreneurs and access to community-driven entrepreneurship support.
Funding will go towards 811 Retail Incubator renovations to accommodate KC entrepreneurs with low-lease rates, short-term lease periods, and high-speed internet.
