Sirti promotes two funding programs that are of high value to our clients:
Sirti Technology Growth Fund
For more information on the Sirti Technology Growth Fund, please contact Nate Speer by email at
nates@sirti.org or by phone at (509) 358-2082.
The Sirti Foundation offers the
$3 million Sirti Technology Growth Fund (TGF), a fund made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration. The TGF is designed to accelerate technology companies in a number of market sectors including bio-products/health sciences, energy and the environment, value-added agriculture, and defense/homeland security that do not qualify for conventional bank financing. Companies located in a ten-county area within Eastern Washington can apply for the loan.
Sirti identified a gap in funding sources for start-up, emerging and expanding technology-based companies in the Inland Northwest. Such companies typically have a marketable product but require financial and other resources to successfully “go the distance.” Help with launching the company, products or services into new markets or to acquire the inventory necessary to fulfill an order can make the difference for long term success. The Sirti Foundation pursued a grant from the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) and was subsequently awarded a $1.46 million grant in 2004. The EDA grant requires dollar-for-dollar match funding which the Sirti Foundation secured by teaming with the Business Development Corporation of Eastern Washington (BDC), an investment consortium of community and regional banks and businesses. Member bank investors include AmericanWest Bank, Banner Bank, Bank of Fairfield, F&M Bank, FirstBank Northwest, Inland Northwest Bank, The State National Bank of Garfield, Washington Trust Bank, Wheatland Bank and the Bank of Whitman. Development of the administrative plan for the Sirti Technology Growth Fund was made possible by a grant from Spokane Teachers Credit Union. Administrative services for the Sirti Technology Growth Fund will be provided by the BDC.
For more information on the TGF, please contact Nate Speer by email at nates@sirti.org or by phone at (509) 358-2082.
Research and Technology Development Grants
Sirti’s partner, the Washington Technology Center (WTC), offers Research & Technology Development (RTD) grants. Details about WTC grants can be found by clicking the “Research & Technology Development (RTD) Grant Program” link on the right-hand menu or at the bottom of this page.
Sirti also offers assistance to technology entrepreneurs in the Inland Northwest who pursue Federal funding. We understand the rules of Federal programs and assist start-up companies navigate the idiosyncrasies of the programs and agencies involved. We offer a pre-qualifying service to evaluate whether a SBIR/STTR grant is appropriate for a given technology company. This helps a company determine whether to spend its time and money developing a business around this three phase, Federal award program.
Specifically, Sirti helps potential SBIR/STTR participants find appropriate topics or agency areas of interest. We guide the grant “homework” activity as well as the proposal, production, and budgeting processes. Outside reviewers help the client understand the target audience. We also help clients find Phase II and Phase III partners and ensure that all clients get debriefings on proposals they submit.
Current grant services include:
SBIR/STTR Grants
- Assistance and pre-qualifying services to understand the three phases of the award process
- 1.8 Billion dollars in funding available
- Evaluating business plans with the funding cycle
WTC Research & Technology Development (RTD) Grants:
