State funding available to help small businesses with growth & improvement projects

The Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) today announced applications are open for the Indiana Technical Assistance Program (INTAP) through Feb. 20, 2022. This statewide initiative connects small businesses with critical professional assistance to complete growth and improvement projects. 

“INTAP helps small businesses grow and thrive by helping them complete critical growth projects they might not otherwise be able to pursue,” said Indiana SBDC State Director and Vice President of Small Business David Watkins. “Small businesses can utilize this program for a variety of professional assistance, everything from product prototyping to inventory control 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.”

Through INTAP, eligible small businesses may apply to receive up to $15,000 in professional services from a qualified vendor to complete growth and improvement projects that require specialized assistance or technical expertise such as app or technology development, intellectual property legal assistance and grant writing assistance for the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs. The program is administered in partnership with Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington’s Cook Center for Entrepreneurship, which houses the South Central Indiana SBDC regional office.

INTAP has assisted 128 businesses with completing projects since the program was launched in 2017, 68 of which were completed in 2021. To be eligible for INTAP, Indiana small businesses must meet the following criteria:    

• Be or become an Indiana SBDC client,
• Have a physical presence in Indiana,
• Use a vendor physically located in Indiana,
• Be able to complete the project within five months and before Dec. 31, 2022, 
• Be an eligible project type, 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.

Indiana companies are encouraged to learn more about eligibility requirements and submit applications online.

Success Story: Lafayette-based startup Sunny (rebranded from Menstrual Mates) partners with developer to design data-informed self-care product

Hoosier Heartland Indiana SBDC client Sunny, a socially conscious self-care startup, delivers eco-friendly products, honest education and global giveback. The company utilized INTAP in 2021, working with Indianapolis-based product development firm Glassboard to finalize the design of its menstrual cup expected to launch by the end of 2022. Sunny also received investment from Elevate Ventures, Indiana’s venture development partner.

The Indiana SBDC, which is a program of the IEDC, helps businesses start, grow, finance, innovate, and transition through no-cost, confidential business advising and training. For more information on resources and programs for small businesses, visit isbdc.org. To become a client of the Indiana SBDC, contact the regional office nearest you.

About Indiana SBDC

The Indiana Small Business Development Center (Indiana SBDC) is a program of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, which leads the state of Indiana’s economic development efforts. The Indiana SBDC helps entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow, finance, innovate, and transition through no-cost, confidential business advising and training. With a network of 10 regional offices through the state, the Indiana SBDC creates a positive and measurable impact on the formation, growth and sustainability of Indiana’s small businesses.

The Indiana SBDC is funded, in part, through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. For more information about the Indiana SBDC, visit isbdc.org.