Your TL;DR: Colorado’s OEDIT FAST Partnership provides $1,000 grants to help startups prepare SBIR/STTR proposals. Funds are awarded first-come, first-served, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Preparing a competitive SBIR or STTR proposal is no small feat, especially for small businesses balancing innovation with tight budgets. For Colorado-based startups, the OEDIT FAST Partnership Program offers streamlined, accessible funding to offset early-stage proposal development costs.
SBIR/STTR success starts with high-quality proposals, but early-stage companies need support to get there
Federal grant programs like SBIR/STTR offer critical non-dilutive capital for startups working on breakthrough R&D. But preparing a proposal that meets agency standards requires time, funding, and expertise—not always available to early-stage teams.
To reduce this barrier, the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) created a FAST Partnership grant for small businesses ready to enter the SBIR/STTR ecosystem.
OEDIT offers $1,000 grants to Colorado-based SBIR/STTR applicants
The OEDIT FAST Partnership is designed to give Colorado’s most promising startups a push toward federal funding readiness. Through this initiative, eligible businesses may receive up to $1,000 to cover expenses related to:
- Proposal preparation and consulting support
- Application compliance and formatting
- Early-stage commercialization planning
- Professional services needed for proposal alignment
Funding is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, making it essential for interested startups to apply early.
Our firm employs similar partnerships with proposal preparation stipends (Pennsylvania’s IPart and Wisconsin’s Center for Technology Commercialization) and have found these programs to be overwhelmingly successful for our clients. The combination of support from the organization providing the stipend (which typically includes knowledge sharing and mentorship in addition to funds) and partnering with an expert proposal preparation SME is a winning comnination!
Offset the real costs of proposal prep without sacrificing runway
Even a small grant can make a big difference when it comes to hiring a grant consultant, attending a workshop, or reviewing a proposal with an expert. OEDIT’s FAST Partnership allows founders to take that first step without draining internal resources or delaying submission timelines.
It’s a low-barrier, high-impact opportunity for Colorado-based teams looking to elevate their SBIR/STTR readiness.
Without early funding, founders may delay or skip federal submissions
Too many promising startups delay SBIR/STTR applications, not because they lack innovation, but because they lack preparation resources. Missing deadlines, submitting weak proposals, or skipping federal opportunities altogether becomes the norm.
Programs like this FAST Partnership grant are built to disrupt that cycle by offering targeted support at a critical moment.
Apply early and access $1,000 in proposal development funding
To qualify, businesses must:
- Be based in Colorado
- Be preparing an SBIR or STTR application
- Submit required progress and outcome documentation upon award
Grants are awarded on a rolling basis and reviewed internally by OEDIT staff. Due to limited funding, it’s advised to apply as early as possible.
Preparing an SBIR/STTR application in Colorado? Secure FAST funds now
Visit the OEDIT Programs & Funding page to apply for the FAST Partnership grant. Need support planning your SBIR submission timeline or working with a consultant? Schedule a consult call with our team to align your next steps.
EBHC assists startups in making the most of small grants with big strategy
We’ve guided hundreds of early-stage businesses nationwide through successful SBIR/STTR applications, often starting with small, state-backed programs like this one. When used strategically, a $1,000 grant can be the spark that leads to a six-figure federal award.
Ready To Take the Next Step?
We assist our clients in locating, applying for, and evaluating the outcomes of non-dilutive grant funding. We believe non-dilutive funding is a crucial tool for mitigating investment risks, and we are dedicated to guiding our clients through the entire process—from identifying the most suitable opportunities to submitting and managing grant applications.