Funding
The Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub administers two funding opportunities that support entrepreneurs and innovators: Draper TIF and SEED. We also have relationships and connections to help projects access other sources of funding in the region and beyond. Need help deciding which grant is right for you? Scroll down for more information.
The Draper Technology Innovation Fund (TIF)
This fund supports the additional research necessary to bring new concepts and inventions to the patent and licensing stage. The program goal is to help get new products and processes out of the lab and into people’s hands where they can impact change. Funds can be used to support efforts to enhance the scope or patentability of inventions and assist with their potential licensing to the commercial sector. Examples of research activities include prototype development, preparation of samples for evaluation, and application testing. The Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub administers this program in partnership with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. TIF funding is made available on a quarterly basis throughout the calendar year. The next deadline is Friday, May 15, 2026.
The State Economic Engagement & Development Research (SEED) Grant
This grant allows UW–Madison faculty and academic staff with ownership in a Wisconsin company to engage in innovative research designed to facilitate commercialization of their company’s technology. The State Economic Engagement & Development (SEED) research funding is designed to generate additional private and public sector support for innovator research programs that take place on the UW–Madison campus and promote technology transfer between the University and industry.