Department of Commerce: Innovate ND

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Innovate ND

Innovate North Dakota

Innovate ND is on hold until further notice in response to the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis. Current participants will remain in the program and once normal activity returns, they will resume where they left off. Commerce is not accepting new participants at this time.

Interested entrepreneurs and current participants should follow the three-step process for financing as outlined in the COVID-19 Business and Employer Resources: Financial page https://www.business.nd.gov/resources/COVID19BusinessandEmployerResources/

Innovate North Dakota is a voucher and grant program available to entrepreneurs in North Dakota. Through expert guidance from business coaches at Entrepreneurial Centers, Innovate ND provides the entrepreneurial community of North Dakota the resources needed to help turn an innovative idea into a profitable business.

The program now has four phases that grow as your business grows.

Phase	Entry Fee	Dollar Award	Match Requirement (cash or in-kind)	Phase Length
1 - Voucher	$250	$2,000	Equal to 25% of award dollars reimbursed. Minimum of $5,000 by end of Phase 3	3 Months
2 - Voucher		$6,000		6 Months
3 - Voucher		$12,000		6 Months
4 - Grant		$20,000	$5,000	12 Months
TOTAL	$250	$40,000	$10,000	27 Months

Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Entrance into the next phase is not guaranteed
Phases 1, 2, and 3 are a voucher program where eligible expenses are reimbursed to the participant
Phase 4 is a grant program. The participant must meet all requirements of N.D.C.C. Chapter 54-60.1

CTB

(701) 223-0707
2720 E. Broadway
Bismarck, ND 58501

Tyler Demars, Program Director

Jamestown Regional Entrepreneur Center

(701) 253-4112
Rm 109, Unruh-Sheldon Building, Univ of Jamestown
Jamestown, ND 58405

Katherine Roth, Director

NDSU Research & Technology Park

(701) 499-3600
1854 NDSU Research Circle N.
Fargo, ND 58102

Brian Kalk, Executive Director

UND Center for Innovation

(701) 777-3132
4200 James Ray Drive
Grand Forks, ND 58203

Amy Whitney, DIrector

Entrepreneurs must meet the following criteria for acceptance into Phase 1:

The business is registered or will be registered in North Dakota
The idea or concept is innovative:
- A new business idea or concept
- An existing business model with a new innovative approach
The idea or concept is a scalable business by bringing value back to North Dakota
Serves a market outside the entrepreneur’s initial community
Must be accepted into Phase 1 on or after July 1, 2019

Resources

Program Manual 2019-2021 Biennium
File Size: 146 kb

Progress Report
File Size: 126 kb

Expense Form
File Size: 28 kb

Business Model Canvas Guide
File Size: 135 kb

Customer Interview Example Questions
File Size: 121 kb

Customer Interview Tracking Sheet
File Size: 18 kb

Innovate ND Enrollment

Please complete the following information for review. Funding is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no guarantee your business or business idea will go through all four phases.

Upon review, you will be notified by North Dakota Department of Commerce on your application status.

* First Name

* Last Name

* Company Name

* Address

* City

* State (abr. - drop down)

* Zip Code

* Email Address

* Phone Number

* Is the business registered? If yes, what state?

* Describe your concept

* Describe how your concept is innovative or what makes it different from similar products in the market

* Describe how your concept is scalable to markets outside of North Dakota

* Explain how you would invest Innovate ND funds if you were accepted into the program

* Describe your strengths as an entrepreneur and also areas where you need some coaching

* Choose an Entrepreneur Center to contact you:CTB - Bismarck
Jamestown Regional Entrepreneur Center - Jamestown
NDSU Research & Technology Park - Fargo
UND Center for Innovation - Grand Forks

* Spam Check