Inconceivable - the MTIP April 2026 newsletter

Volume VIII Issue 7 April 2026 View in browser

Hi Innovator!

Still waiting for SBIR Reauthorization...

Inconceivable!

Good thing I am not a betting woman. I would have lost any bet that said that we'd still be waiting for SBIR Reauthorization to be signed after March. But I do now have an excuse to use this...

"What's the deal?" you ask. In short, the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act passed both houses of Congress; it's been enrolled; however, it has not yet been presented to the president. Congress is on a two week recess until April 13 or 14.

So, we wait. (I could totally throw another Princess Bride meme in here.)

A little more uncertainty but we do know:

The Department of Defense/War will be the first agency to post topics under the newly reauthorized programs. (Note above, I don't bet.)
NSF and NASA are right there, too, as far as I've heard.
The Department of Energy is undergoing a significant revamp, that we're excited to see, but they will hold off until summer for their first release.
Other agencies will share more about their programs later.
Several key changes have been introduced. Which brings me to...

Join me and Jim Greenwood on April 22 for the MTIP monthly webinar and we will discuss in much more detail the key changes in the SBIR Reauthorization, what they are and what small businesses should be doing to prepare. Register below.

2026 MTIP Events (LinkedIn Post) April 22 2026

Register for the MTIP April 22 Webinar - SBIR Reauthorization

More Events Coming Soon!

Innovator's Bootcamp: Legal, Funding & Founder Essentials for Startups

When: Tuesday, May 5 from 8 am to 5 pm

Where: EngineWorks MSU Innovation Campus Bozeman, MT

REGISTER TODAY

Join us for a full-day, in-person Innovator’s Bootcamp followed by optional 1:1 legal sessions, designed to help Montana startups navigate the legal, funding, and strategic decisions that shape early-stage growth.

Co-hosted by the Montana Bioscience Alliance, the Montana Photonics and Quantum Alliance, and the Montana Technology Innovation Partnership, this workshop features experienced attorneys from Sheppard Mullin, a nationally recognized law firm advising emerging growth companies, investors, and research institutions across the country.

Whether you are forming your company, preparing for investment, protecting intellectual property, or negotiating agreements, this bootcamp provides practical, founder-focused guidance you can immediately apply.

What You’ll Learn

Choosing the right business entity and governance structure
Startup funding pathways and investment considerations
Founder equity, compensation, and hiring best practices
Intellectual property protection strategies
Licensing, collaboration, and research agreements

Each session includes dedicated Q&A time to address real-world startup scenarios.

Featured Lunch Conversation

During lunch, Claire Smith of Springtide will present “How to Approach Your Fundraising Journey,” sharing practical founder insights on preparing for capital, navigating investor expectations, and building momentum for growth.

Lunch is included with registration.

Who Should Attend

This event is ideal for:

• Entrepreneurs and Innovators
• Startup Founders and Co-Founders
• Executive and Leadership Teams
• Investors and Venture Capitalists
• Legal and Compliance Professionals
• Technology Transfer and Commercialization Professionals

Why Attend?

• Gain practical legal insights tailored to early-stage companies
• Avoid costly mistakes that can slow growth or deter investment
• Learn directly from experienced startup attorneys
• Connect with Montana’s innovation and startup ecosystem

REGISTER HERE

Cost

$50 – General Registration (Non-Members)
$25 – Members of the Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance or Montana Bioscience Alliance

Current MTIP clients may be eligible for financial assistance. Please email me to inquire.

Partner News & Events

Don't miss these upcoming events from MTIP partners:

Montana APEX Accelerators Events

Montana SBDC Training and Events

Montana Manufacturing Extension Centers Training and Events

USPTO Events

Montana World Trade Investment Day May 12, 2026 in Butte

Montana Festival 2026 is June 11-12 in Bozeman

Getting Ready For SBIR/STTR Reauthorization

Below are links to agencies' SBIR homepages.

Department of Defense - Visit individual component/service SBIR pages too, like Army, Air Force, SpaceWerx, Navy, and DARPA, to name a few.
Health & Human Services/National Institutes of Health - HHS/NIH - See NOT-OD-26-006
- Also visit ARPA-H and BARDA regarding their funding opportunities.
National Aeronautical and Space Administration Read more about NASA's plans to move to a Broad Agency Announcement model in FY26 here.
National Science Foundation
Department of Energy and ARPA-E
USDA
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Commerce - NIST
Department of Commerce - NOAA
Department of Transportation
Department of Education
Environmental Protection Agency

Most of these agencies also offer other types of research & development funding opportunities outside the SBIR/STTR programs to which small businesses may apply. Feel free to reach out to discuss support we may offer.

So many of you that we speak with have innovations that hold the potential for immense impact. Keep researching your markets and your target agency's (agencies') programs and research focus areas. I'm looking and watching with you.

Have fun storming the castle!

Ann Peterson

MTIP Program Director

Connect with us on social media!

We share so much more throughout the month on LinkedIn! Connect with us there!

Did you miss a webinar?

Many of our webinars are recorded. Subscribe to the MTIP YouTube Channel to catch up on what you missed.

Visit the MTIP website!

The MTIP website hosts a wealth of resources, upcoming events, and applications for FAST microgrants. Visit us!

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