Application Process

Our short assessment will walk you through the criteria for Business Innovation Funding. After a few questions, you’ll know whether you’re a good fit and can reach out for application support. If the assessment indicates that you’re not a good fit for the program right now, we’ll provide a list of next steps you can work on to improve your chances.

Once you’ve determined you’re a good fit – or if you’d like to discuss your situation with an MTI team member even if the questionnaire indicated otherwise – complete an Online Interest Form via MTI’s Blackbaud portal. The interest form pairs you with the right team member to assess your readiness and support you through the process. Note that filling out an interest form does not mean you are applying for MTI funding yet.

After submitting your Interest Form, you’ll be assigned an MTI Investment Officer within 10 business days, who will reach out via email. Your investment officer will schedule an initial meeting by phone or video call. You may be asked to share background materials in advance, such as a pitch deck.

This is an informal conversation where your MTI team member will work with you to assess whether a BIF application is likely to be successful, what type of project would be appropriate, and what funding level to target. If there’s a path forward, the goal is to set you up for the strongest possible application – they’ll share the application form and supporting templates. If MTI isn’t the right fit right now, we may refer you to a partner organization that can help.

There are no deadlines, so you can take your time to put together the strongest application. Every application requires a completed Application, a project Budget, and a project Scope of Work. Larger funding requests will require additional supporting materials.

The review timeline is typically around two months, though it may be shorter or longer depending on the complexity of the application and other factors. MTI evaluates grant applications across six categories with expectations that increase at higher funding levels. For repeat applicants, MTI also considers performance on prior awards as part of the review.

Your MTI team member will contact you with MTI’s funding decision and any conditions. MTI may approve awards with conditions that must be met before funding is fully released. If MTI decides against funding, you’ll receive feedback on why.

If your application for funding is successful, MTI will prepare a contract package and email it to you for review and signature. This contract will include your approved project proposal, reporting requirements for the award, and any other conditions identified as part of the approval process.

Your assigned MTI team member will reach out quarterly to check in on your progress. For all funded projects, a final report is required to confirm achievement of the original proposed Scope of Work. In addition, all MTI clients will be required to submit annual impact reports via our online portal for 5 years post-award.