Financing Funding Your Idea

Finding idea stage funding can be challenging due to the fact that many product and service ideas simply don’t have a large enough market to sustain a viable business. For those product or service ideas that have greater market potential, several programs exist to advance your early-stage business opportunity.

Because the number and variety of financial programs can be confusing; we recommend completing the online Idea Challenge form. After submission, the Eau Claire Area EDC office will contact you to explore your idea in greater detail. After fully understanding your product opportunity, the organization will suggest funding options.

In addition to the Idea Challenge application, we encourage you to complete this financial worksheet to determine the use of cash and your financial needs.
Financial Worksheet


The list below includes some of the most commonly used programs at the local, regional, state and federal level that support businesses in early stages of development.

Technology Assistance Grant
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The Technology Assistance Grant (TAG) program aids small Wisconsin high-technology businesses in their efforts to obtain seed, early-stage, or research and development funding.

Early Planning Grant
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The Early Planning Grant (EPG) program is designed to help individual entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout Wisconsin obtain the professional services necessary to evaluate the feasibility of a proposed start-up or expansion.

The Family and Friends Innovation Development Fund
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This Eau Claire Area EDC program funds a portion of the research or outside technical assistance that is needed by existing businesses, entrepreneurs, or individuals seeking to bring a technological advancement to the marketplace.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grants
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SBIR is a highly competitive program that encourages small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.