TTAC Technology Maturation Grant

TTAC Technology Maturation Grant is sponsored by Launch Tennessee. Supports university-developed innovations ready to advance toward commercialization, focusing on technologies with clear industry connections.

TTAC Technology Maturation Grant - LaunchTN TTAC Technology Maturation Grant TTAC Technology Maturation Grant 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.

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 Completed proof of concept or equivalent development stage A letter of interest from an industry partner or potential customer validating commercial relevance and/or market demand A clear commercialization strategy with defined milestones for advancing technology readiness 1.

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 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 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: Technology Merit & Feasibility : Strength of invention and development feasibility Commercial Potential & Market Readiness : Market need, depth of engagement and commitment from industry partners, differentiation, commercialization pathway Project Plan & Milestones: Clarity, feasibility, and alignment with commercialization goals 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 closes on March 15, 2026 .

Notice of Award issued to companies by April 15, 2026 . Phase I must be completed by June 30, 2026 . Projects must be completed within 12 months No project may extend beyond June 30, 2027 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 FY26 TTAC Technology Maturation Grant are open now through March 15. Eligible teams may submit an application and supporting materials using the link below.

Applications are reviewed on a competitive basis. You are now being taken to Startup Tennessee to view current events.