Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant

The Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant is a program administered by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), specifically through its Global Business Development division. This grant supports Colorado-based companies developing disruptive technologies in designated advanced industries. The initiative addresses the funding gap often experienced by early-stage businesses, which typically struggle to attract sufficient private investment during their formative stages. By partnering with industry trade associations and receiving final approvals from the Economic Development Commission, the grant aims to foster local innovation and manufacturing. The grant is designed to support technologies that are both developed and manufactured in Colorado, emphasizing the importance of statewide economic development. Projects can receive up to $250,000 in funding, and in cases where a technology impacts more than one advanced industry, this ceiling may be lifted. The program defines advanced industries broadly, including sectors such as advanced manufacturing, aerospace, bioscience, electronics, energy and natural resources (including cleantech), infrastructure engineering, and information technology. When a technology involves enabling industries like electronics or IT, applicants must demonstrate how the technology enhances scalability, process improvement, or market adoption for the non-enabling technology. To qualify, businesses must meet several stringent eligibility requirements. They must be registered and in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State, have their headquarters in Colorado or at least 50% of their employees based in the state, and have received under $20 million from previous grants or third-party investments. Annual revenues must be below $10 million, and the project must be past the proof of concept stage, evidenced by completed prototypes, technical validation, and a commercialization plan with market analysis. Furthermore, applicants must provide a 2-to-1 cash match (company-to-state), which is verified at the time of grant award. Acceptable sources of matching funds include company revenues, federal grants, and third-party investors, but not other state funds or in-kind contributions. If matching funds are not yet secured, applicants can receive a conditional award with a six-month period to obtain the necessary match. The application process includes two open periods annually: January–March and July–September. Interested companies must first complete a pre-qualification questionnaire on the OEDIT portal. Upon passing this automated screening, applicants can submit a full application through the same portal. Required components include an executive summary, company and project information, matching fund documentation, and both required and optional supporting materials. Scored sections of the application include stakeholder collaboration (5 points), product and technology (30 points), business strategy and financials (20 points), company management (25 points), and benefits to Colorado (20 points). Evaluators expect applicants to tailor submissions for a technically educated audience. Applications undergo a rigorous multi-stage review process that spans 10 to 12 weeks. After internal compliance review, applications are scored independently by reviewers with industry expertise. Select applications then proceed to industry-specific subcommittee meetings, followed by a full committee pitch session for the most competitive applicants. A limited number of top-ranked applications may be fast-tracked, bypassing the pitch phase. Final funding decisions are made by the Colorado Economic Development Commission. Awards are reimbursement-based and may only be spent after a formal grant agreement is executed. OEDIT emphasizes that funding is intended for businesses that will remain operational in Colorado. If a recipient relocates outside the state within 24 months of completing the grant period—defined by moving headquarters or employing less than 50% of staff in Colorado—the company must repay the full award amount over a five-year period. Previous grant recipients may apply again, but only for new technologies or projects, and only if their prior award was successfully closed. Contact for the program is Rama Haris, Advanced Industries Senior Manager, reachable at 303-824-9768 or via email. The current deadline is February 26, 2026, at 5:00 PM MT.

Emphasize commercialization plan, dedicated match funds, and how enabling technologies support non-enabling industries.