Missouri IDEA Funds
Bill Anderson
william.anderson@ded.mo.gov
573-522-2293
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:
- Pre-seed capital stage financing
- Seed capital stage financing
- Venture capital stage financing
- Expansion stage debt
Application process
Funding decisions are made on a quarterly basis through a competitive application process. The following dates apply to the 2013 financial year:
- July 20: Application period opens.
- August 20: Application period closes at 5 p.m. September 17: Investment Committee reviews application finalists and recommends projects for funding.
- October 26: Board of Directors approves funding.
Following the completion of this competition period, another quarterly competition period will open in late June. The Missouri Technology Corporation has more information about the application process.Learn more about the investment process
IDEA Funds Summary TechLaunch
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. Download the application
Seed Capital Co-Investment Fund
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.
Venture Capital Co-Investment Fund
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.
High-Tech Industrial Expansion Fund
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.