Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC) Technology Maturation Grant

Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC) Technology Maturation Grant is sponsored by Launch Tennessee. This competitive funding opportunity accelerates the development of university-originated innovations in Tennessee. It supports startups in advancing promising technologies beyond the proof-of-concept stage and preparing them for commercialization.

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* Team and Board of Directors * Southeast Capital Calls * SBIR/STTR Matching Fund * Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC) * TTAC Proof of Concept Program * TTAC Technology Maturation Grant * TTAC Partnership Program * Tennessee Intellectual Property Alliance (TNIPA) * Tennessee Innovation Exchange * Regional Entrepreneur Centers * Team and Board of Directors * Southeast Capital Calls * SBIR/STTR Matching Fund * Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC) * TTAC Proof of Concept Program * TTAC Technology Maturation Grant * TTAC Partnership Program * Tennessee Intellectual Property Alliance (TNIPA) * Tennessee Innovation Exchange * Regional Entrepreneur Centers # TTAC Technology Maturation Grant ### Accelerating University Innovation Toward Commercialization # TTAC Technology Maturation Grant ### Accelerating University Innovation Toward Commercialization The TTAC Technology Maturation Grant (TMG) provides up to $100,000 in one time funding to companies advancing TTAC affiliated technologies that have successfully demonstrated proof of concept and are ready to advance toward increased technology readiness and/or commercial deployment.

As part of the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC), this program focuses on catalyzing technologies with a clear and active connection to industry. Eligible projects must be linked to an eligible Tennessee startup through a license, option agreement, sponsored research collaboration, or joint intellectual property ownership with a Launch Tennessee TTAC partner institution.

**This funding cycle introduces several exciting updates to expand commercialization opportunities across Tennessee. ** **$500,000 in additional funding** is available for technology maturation projects. **Continued commitment to TTAC institutions**, with at least **50% of available funding** awarded to technologies affiliated with TTAC member institutions.

**Expanded eligibility** to include Tennessee’s R1 research institutions: * University of Tennessee, Knoxville * University of Tennessee Health Science Center ###### Program Objectives **Support post proof-of-concept development to reduce technical and commercial risk** **Advance innovations with licensing, startup formation, or strategic partnerships** **Strengthen industry engagement and market alignment for emerging technologies** ###### Technology Maturation Grant Road Map TMG is designed for **eligible startups*** that are commercializing university-developed technologies.

**Applicants should have:** * A demonstrated proof of concept or validated prototype * A formal intellectual property relationship with an eligible Tennessee research institution * Evidence of industry interest or commercial engagement * A defined commercialization strategy with measurable milestones _*Review the Eligibility Criteria section for Eligible Startup requirements_ **Competitive proposals will demonstrate the ability to:** * Advanced technology readiness * Reduce technical or commercialization risk * Strengthen university-industry collaboration * Generate licensing, investment, customer validation, or startup growth opportunities * Achieve meaningful commercialization milestones during the award period **TTAC Member Institutions** * East Tennessee State University * Meharry Medical College * Middle Tennessee State University * Tennessee State University * Tennessee Tech University **Additional Eligible FY27 Institutions** * University of Tennessee, Knoxville * University of Tennessee Health Science Center _*The TMG **commitment to TTAC institutions**: at least **50% of available funding** awarded to technologies affiliated with TTAC member institutions.

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**Intellectual Property & Institutional Alignment** * Intellectual property must be assigned/associated with a **TTAC Research Institution** * The technology must have at least one of the following: * Executed a license agreement with a company * Option agreement with a commercial entity * Sponsored research agreement between a TTAC institution and a commercial partner * Joint IP ownership with a TTAC institution and a commercial partner * Engagement with affiliated Technology Transfer and/or Intellectual Property Management Office 2.

**Tennessee Business Requirement** * The commercial entity must be registered to do business in Tennessee and meet at least one of the following: * At least 51% of employees are domiciled in Tennessee * Headquarters facility qualifies under T. C. A.

§ 67-6-224 * The majority of senior management is domiciled in Tennessee 3. **Company Eligibility** * Must be a pre-IPO small business (fewer than 500 employees) * Publicly traded companies are ineligible * Must demonstrate a viable pathway to commercialization 4.

**Technology Development Stage** * Proof of concept must already be demonstrated (e.g., bench-scale validation, initial prototype, feasibility data) * The project must require additional work to advance toward product readiness, scale-up, regulatory preparation, or increased TRL * The proposed work must demonstrate measurable technology readiness level (TRL) advancement 5.

**Commercial Potential** * Clear and credible pathway to market supported by evidence of customer need, industry interest, or early traction * Funding will serve as a catalyst for commercialization and follow-on investment * Must align with Launch Tennessee’s mission to support entrepreneurship and innovation **Projects will be considered ineligible if they:** * Are not an eligible Tennessee startup or small business * Do not originate from a TTAC partner institution/led by companies without direct TTAC institutional collaboration * Request funding for non-commercialization activities, or the status of activities, or the proposed project is still in basic research (e.g., basic science, exploratory research) * Support routine operational expenses unrelated to technology development * Funding may not be used for company formation activities without existing IP agreements or business commitments **Applications are evaluated by an expert team of reviewers using a structured rubric based on the following criteria:** 1.

**Technology Merit & Feasibility**: Strength of invention and development feasibility 2. **Commercial Potential & Market Readiness**: Market need, depth of engagement and commitment from industry partners, differentiation, commercialization pathway 3. **Project Plan & Milestones:** Clarity, feasibility, and alignment with commercialization goals 4.

**Budget & Team Capability**: Cost-effectiveness, justification of funds, and the team’s ability to execute **In addition to the application, applicants must submit:** * Detailed project budget & budget narrative * Letter of interest from a potential customer or industry partner * Commercialization plan, including defined technology maturation milestones and timeline * Application period opens on **July 29th** * Application period closes on **September 9th** * Notice of Awards issued to companies by **October 23rd** * Phase I must be completed by **March 30th** * Projects must be completed within **12 months** * Grant funds are released in two tranches over the project period.

Initial funding is provided at award execution, with remaining funds released following a mid-project progress interview with the TTAC Technology Maturation Grant team. ###### Eligible TTAC Member Institutions #### Applications for the FY27 TTAC Technology Maturation Grant are open now through September 9th. Eligible teams may submit an application and supporting materials using the link below.

Applications are reviewed on a competitive basis. ###### Get The Pitch, our bi-weekly newsletter, for the latest Tennessee startup news and resources. LaunchTN initiatives to promote entrepreneurship, technology advancement, capital formation and workforce development are funded through a grant contract with the State of Tennessee.

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