Utah Innovation Center

The Utah Innovation Center serves as a catalyst for technology innovation in the State of Utah.

Utah Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology

Since 1987, the Governor’s Science Medal has recognized the distinguished service, significant achievements, and positive economic impact of individuals and companies to the state of Utah and beyond in science and technology.

The presenting organizations accepted nominations from Utahns and medals will be awarded at the One Utah Summit on May 2, 2023.

Please visit the Governor’s Science Medal webpage to learn more.

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The Utah Innovation Center, housed within the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, provides a one-stop solution for Utah startups and emerging companies working in technology innovation.

The Center offers free consultations, training, and proposal assistance to help Utah companies succeed in winning non-dilutive funding dedicated to research and development through the $4B federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

Services

Innovation Center services are available statewide, giving Utah’s technology-oriented companies a distinct advantage in today’s competitive environment. Services include:

  • Direct Proposal Assistance — One-on-one proposal editing and review for SBIR/STTR applicants
  • Matching — Microgrants and nonrecourse loans for companies pursuing non-dilutive funding through the federal SBIR/STTR programs.
  • Agency-Specific Training — Training based on particular nuances and requirements of participating agencies, including finding topics, the application process, and best practices for awarded proposals
  • Federal Program Officers — Connections with program officials from SBIR/STTR federal agencies
  • Mentorship — Small technology companies receive mentorship with connections to business counseling, lab space, prototype creation, and other resources to build and grow their business
  • Funding Network — Small business connections to other types of funding to include angel and venture funding
  • Industry Associations — Industry sector associations and group collaboration that enhance the innovation ecosystem
  • University Technology Transfer — Collaborations with technology transfer offices at the public and private universities in the state

The Utah Innovation Center helps drive the state’s technology innovation ecosystem opportunities through the federal SBIR/STTR programs. This non-dilutive funding mechanism — both grants and contracts — is dedicated to the research and development of new technology.

Across the nation, startups and small businesses from diverse technology areas and markets compete for this federal funding to stimulate technology innovation and provide broad societal impact.

The Innovation Center helps Utah’s small technology businesses to successfully win R&D funding and commercialize life-changing technologies that benefit us here at home and around the world.

UTAH TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION FUNDING

Technical and Business Assistance Resources

Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) funding is provided to promote the commercialization success of new and novel technologies developed by Utah-based small businesses that have received or are applying for federal research and development award dollars. TABA resources are structured as paid/fee for service.

To be included on the resources map, companies must be registered in Utah, in good standing, and have an active business license. Companies can fill out the following form to submit information about who they are and which related service(s) they provide to request inclusion on the map.

Map Addition Form

Workshops

Interested in SBIR and STTR funding? Explore our workshops.
Register For A Workshop
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SBIR 101 Workshop

This free, hour-long workshop is offered monthly by the Innovation Center to help Utah entrepreneurs and innovators learn about the non-dilutive federal funding of the SBIR/STTR programs.

Attendees learn how to apply for grants and contracts dedicated to the R&D of innovative technologies that small businesses may commercialize. They learn about the services offered by the Utah Innovation Center and how they can determine if the program is right for them.

Register for the SBIR 101 Workshop
A video recording of the workshop is also available, whether for those new to the SBIR/STTR programs or to review the material as a refresher.
Watch a recording of the SBIR/STTR 101 Workshop

Additional Workshops

The Utah Innovation Center also offers longer, in-depth workshops for entrepreneurs planning on applying for specific SBIR/STTR solicitations and regularly hosts federal program managers, providing coveted one-on-one meetings for Utah innovators with federal decision-makers.
Register for Events

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

You can reach our team at innovationutah@utah.gov.
Linda Cabrales

Linda Cabrales

Director

385-228-6134
lcabrales@utah.gov

Dylan Doty

Dylan Doty

Program Manager

385-290-9662
ddoty@utah.gov

Jared Goodspeed

Jared Goodspeed

Program Manager

435-817-7682
jbgoodspeed@utah.gov

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Jackie Borget

Project Coordinator

801-538-8688
jborget@utah.gov

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Vanessa Mayorga

Project Coordinator

801-538-8719
mmayorga@utah.gov

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Isa Barker

Support Specialist

801-538-8680
ibarker@utah.gov