The Tech Incubator Enhancement Grants Program (TIEG) aims to modernize and revitalize tech incubators across Illinois to meet the evolving needs of startups in the post-pandemic era. This initiative seeks to support the transformation of tech spaces, embracing a hybrid work model, and fostering an ecosystem of innovation, collaboration, and resilience. This program will provide capital grants to support facilities and equipment at incubators for startups in key growth industries to ensure that existing incubators can continue to provide top notch services and cutting-edge equipment, and to establish new ones in parts of the state where entrepreneurs do not have access to these services.

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Build Illinois Bond Fund 30 ILCS 425 and Annual Appropriation Bill

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The purpose of this program is to support entrepreneurship and innovation in key growth industries by providing capital grants for facilities and equipment at startup incubators to: 1. ensure that existing incubators can continue to provide top notch services and cutting-edge equipment 2. establish new incubators in parts of the state where entrepreneurs do not have access to these services.

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Information about the Program Specific Terms and requirements can be found within the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Education Organizations; For-Profit Organizations; Government Organizations; Nonprofit Organizations;

Eligible applicants include: 1. Existing startup incubators serving key growth industries (as outlined in the Illinois 2024 Economic Growth Plan) and information technology prior to March 1, 2020 and still in operation. 2. New startup incubators that are focused on key growth industries (as outlined in the Illinois 2024 Economic Growth Plan) 3. New startup incubators that serve areas where entrepreneurs do not have access to incubator services

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Project Grants

Economic Development

A standard application package must be submitted to and reviewed by DCEO. Each package must contain the following items: ? Uniform Grant Application in fillable PDF format. Signature page must be printed, signed, scanned and submitted with application. ? Uniform Budget utilizing the template provided by DCEO for this project. The entire budget with all worksheets included even if the worksheets are not relevant to the grant opportunity must be submitted with the application materials. Signature page must be printed, signed, scanned and submitted with application. ? Conflict of Interest Disclosure ? Mandatory Disclosures This Notice of Funding Opportunity also requires the submission of the following other programmatic specific items: Project Narrative – no limit on number of pages, spacing, font, etc. The Project Narrative shall include the following, where applicable: Detailed information about the applicant including organizational structure, scope of business, internal organization, number of personnel and any relationship with subcontractors or significant partners. • Experience in: o Development and operation of tech incubator facilities o Provision of business support services for tech incubator tenants o Projects funded through federal or state government grants • Clearly defined layout of the facility, square footage of each tech incubator space, and significant equipment included in each incubator space. If possible, include photos and plot maps. • Support services that will be provided to tenants. Applicants are encouraged to provide services that may include management training, business advisory services, mentorship, support in accessing capital, supply chain resources, and recruiting. • Budget for construction/renovation and operations and proposed funding sources for each. (Note: Grant funds can only be used for construction costs and capital expenses. • Capital costs are the only ones that should be included in the Uniform Budget template.) • Recent monetary investments or anticipated monetary awards and grants for investment in the facility • Demonstration that the facility will fills a critical need in the tech community in the region (e.g.market study or feasibility study). • Plan for recruitment and training of the local workforce, including strategies to encourage work-based learning (apprenticeships, internships, etc.) • Percentage of space that will be allocated for startups and small enterprises • Percentage of space that will be open for community events • Targeted outreach/programming for minority/women-owned startups and small enterprises • Extent of partnerships in the region that will support the viability and growth of the local tech industry and success of tech incubator tenants, including: o Universities and community colleges, for research, tech transfer, job training, and/or job placement o Local Workforce Innovation Boards (LWIB) for workforce placement and training o Economic development organizations and trade associations o Investors and financial institutions Documentation that establishes applicant as operating prior to March 1, 2020, if applicable.

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Grant application forms are available at the SmartSheet web link provided in the “Grant Application Link” field of the NOFO or by contacting the Program Manager: Jamie Gladfelter Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity 555 W. Monroe, Chicago, IL 60661 Tele: 312-914-2081 Email: jamie.gladfelter@illinois.gov

Grant proposals will be reviewed on a competitive basis. Each proposal will be scored on a 100-point scale. DCEO shall consider the following criteria when evaluating the application submittal: NEED: Points will be awarded to the applicant that can demonstrate the need for a renovated tech incubator space proposed by the applicant. This will be based on: • Demonstration that the facility will fill a critical need in the tech community in the region (e.g.market study or feasibility study). • Extent of partnerships in the region that will support the viability and growth of the local tech industry and success of tech incubator tenants, including. CAPACITY: Points will be awarded to the entity which demonstrates the ability to successfully complete the project for which the funds were intended within this funding opportunity. This grant program is for capital improvements. This will be based on: • Experience in the development and operation of tech incubator facilities, provision of business support services for tech incubator tenants, and projects involving state or federal grants. • Detail of budget for construction/renovation and operations, and adequacy of proposed funding sources for each. Higher scores will be awarded if budgets and funding sources can be verified through quotes/bids and letters of commitment, respectively. • Timeline and identification or acquisition of necessary permits to perform construction. • Recent monetary investments or anticipated monetary awards and grants for investment in the facility. QUALITY: Points will be awarded to the entity that demonstrates the totality of features and characteristics and project details defined in this funding opportunity and the ability to satisfy the requirements of the NOFO. This will be based on: • Clearly defined layout and characteristics of the proposed facility, including photos and plot maps. • Support services that will be provided to tenants. Higher scores will be awarded for the scope and quality of services that may include management training, business advisory services, mentorship, access to capital, supply chain resources, and recruiting. • Plan for recruitment of the local workforce. • Extent of partnerships in the region that will support the viability and growth of the local tech industry and success of tech incubator tenants. • Percentage of space that will be allocated for startups and small enterprises • Percentage of space that will be open for community events • Support services that will be provided to tenants. Higher scores will be awarded for the scope and quality of services that may include management training, business advisory services, mentorship, access to capital, supply chain resources, recruiting, programming and outreach for minority/women-owned startups or small enterprises

Grant proposals will be reviewed on a competitive basis. Each proposal will be scored on a 100-point scale. DCEO shall consider the following criteria when evaluating the application submittal: Need, Capacity, and Quality.

See NOFO

30 days

The Merit Based Review process is subject to appeal. However, competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Department within 14 calendar days from the date of the denial letter. The written appeal shall include the name and address of the appealing party, the identification of the grant and a statement of reasons for the appeal. To file an appeal, applicants must submit the appeal in writing and in accordance with the Merit-Based Application Review Appeals Process listed on the Grant Opportunities page of the DCEO website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/GrantOpportunities/Pages/MeritAppReview.

Yes, subject to extensions to accommodate long-term capital project timelines.

This grant opportunity does not require a cost share or matching funds. While a match is not required, applications that include a cost-sharing or a matching component may receive a higher merit review score and be more competitive in the selection process.

This grant opportunity is limited to capital improvement expenses. The grant will not compensate for indirect costs, overhead, or administrative expenses associated with the execution of the program.

Standard GATA reporting (performance, financial and audits if appropriate)

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TBD

0, $7M, $7M

See NOFO

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500 East Monroe Springfield, IL 62701 and 555 W Monroe St, 12th Floor Chicago, IL 60661

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FY 2025 : $7,000,000