The Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) announced Jan. 11 that applications are open for statewide small business growth and improvement projects.
Businesses can apply for up to $15,000 in funding to complete projects that require specialized assistance or technical expertise, such as app development, intellectual property legal assistance or grant writing assistant for the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.
The initiative, called the Indiana Technical Assistance Program (INTAP), will accept applications through Feb. 15.
“INTAP helps businesses grow and thrive, especially in underserved communities, by helping them complete critical company projects they might not otherwise be able to pursue,” Indiana SBDC State Director David Watkins stated. “We have had clients utilize this program for a variety of professional assistance, everything from prototype development to business management systems. I strongly encourage small business owners to learn more about this program and see how it could help take their business to the next level.”
The program is administered by Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington’s Cook Center for Entrepreneurship, which houses the south central Indiana SBDC regional office.
“Ivy Tech Community College is pleased to support the Indiana Technical Assistance Program through our relationship with the Indiana SBDC at our host site at our Bloomington campus,” Chancellor Jennie Vaughan stated. “This is an important program that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship leading to jobs and investment across the state of Indiana. As a leader in entrepreneurship education, we help build the skills necessary to launch and grow small businesses, and this program aligns perfectly with our mission to help communities innovate and support their workforce development needs.”
To be eligible for INTAP, Indiana small businesses must:
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- Be or become an Indiana SBDC client,
- Be registered to do business in Indiana,
- Be able to complete the project within five months and before Dec. 31, 2021, and
- Be able to demonstrate a positive impact after completion, including but not limited to new job creation, increased production or sales, or new market expansion.
INTAP noted the program helped 60 businesses since its 2017 launch. Indiana companies can submit applications online here.
