Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant

The Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant is administered by the Global Business Development division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). The program is designed to bridge the funding gap for early-stage advanced industries technology businesses based in Colorado. These businesses must be working on disruptive technologies with the potential to create or manufacture their innovations within the state. The primary goal is to support the commercialization of early-stage technologies that the market typically underfunds. Grant awards can reach up to $250,000 per project, with the possibility of lifting this cap for projects impacting multiple advanced industries. Eligible applicants must demonstrate significant ties to Colorado by being registered with the Secretary of State and having their headquarters or at least half their employees located in the state. They must show that the technology impacts one or more of the seven advanced industries targeted by the grant: advanced manufacturing, aerospace, bioscience, electronics, energy and natural resources (including cleantech), infrastructure engineering, and information technology. Companies must also meet financial thresholds, including fewer than $20 million raised from grants or third-party investors and less than $10 million in annual revenue. A strict 2-to-1 cash matching requirement must be met to receive funding. These matching funds must be dedicated at the time of the award and traceable in the grantee’s account. Acceptable sources include third-party investors, federal grants, and company revenues. Matching funds from OEDIT or other state sources, directly or indirectly, and in-kind contributions are ineligible. Businesses may apply without secured funds but must obtain the required match within six months of conditional award notification or forfeit the grant. The application process consists of two stages: a pre-qualification questionnaire and a full application submitted through the OEDIT application portal. Applications are accepted biannually, from January to March and July to September. The application includes an executive summary, contact details, project summary, documentation of matching funds, required uploads (including financials and CVs), and scored sections on stakeholder collaboration, product and technology merit, business strategy, company management, and the expected benefits to Colorado. Evaluations are conducted over a 10 to 12-week process, involving internal compliance checks, independent reviewer scoring, industry subcommittee reviews, and final approval by the Economic Development Commission. Selected applicants may also be fast-tracked based on competitiveness. Funding is distributed on a reimbursement basis and must follow the approved budget. If a funded business relocates out of Colorado within 24 months of grant conclusion, they are obligated to repay the grant. For inquiries, the program manager is Rama Haris, Advanced Industries Senior Manager, reachable at 303-824-9768 or via email. The next application cycle opens on January 5, 2026, and the program operates on a recurring biannual schedule.

Emphasize market need, scalability, and cross-industry impact; strong preference for technologies spun out of Colorado research institutions or reviewed by investor groups.