SBIR/STTR Matching Fund

Launch Tennessee's SBIR/STTR Matching Fund is the state's companion route for startups that have already won federal SBIR or STTR support. It sits under LaunchTN and the Tennessee state grant contract, and it is designed to extend federal research wins with added non-dilutive capital in Tennessee. The program matches up to 50 percent of the federal award, with Phase I awards capped at $100,000 and Phase II awards capped at $300,000. Eligible companies must be pre-IPO, have fewer than 500 employees, be headquartered in Tennessee, and remain there for 24 months after the award. The program follows the Tennessee fiscal year, and the current cycle is annual. Priority sectors include life sciences, advanced energy, agriculture, and mobility, which makes the program a strong fit for companies with a clear commercialization path and a federal Notice of Award in hand. The best applications show that the state match will help the company keep momentum, build product evidence, and deepen its Tennessee footprint.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.