Visit our new resources site to learn more about SBIR/STTR and to request services.

Innovations emerging from the nation’s small businesses are a major driver of U.S. economic growth and competitiveness. Since 2001, the MSU TechLink Center has played a major role in the development of the region’s innovation economy.  The Montana Technology Innovation Partnership (MTIP) was established by the Montana Department of Commerce in 1999 to support technology-based economic development.  In August 2018, the management of the MTIP program transitioned to Montana State University's TechLink Center.

The Montana Innovation Partnership (MTIP) powered by MSU TechLink Center offers no-cost services to help Montana innovators and entrepreneurs learn about and compete for over $2.5 billion in federal research and development funding under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.  MTIP provides assistance with activities related to successfully participating in these programs such as proposal reviews, intellectual property guidance and referrals, as well as commercialization planning.

Visit Montana Innovation Partnership to learn more about SBIR/STTR, access resources, and request services!

Invented at MSU, field-tested bio-cement ready for oil and gas industry

Well Test

Montana Emergent Technologies, a small Butte-based technology company, has worked closely with Montana State University Center for Biofilm Engineering for several years to develop a mineral-producing bacteria technology.  MSU TechLink has helped the company to secure much of the funding needed for this research.

Biomineralization is an innovative technology, developed by MSU, that uses common bacteria and harmless chemicals to plug pore spaces underground and prevent the movement of water.

The biologically-produced calcium carbonate cement can be used to seal leaking wellbores at oil production sites so that methane is not released to the atmosphere or to increase petroleum yields from depleted oilfields. 

“We are excited to work with MSU to bring their technology to the marketplace to benefit the environment and help the Montana economy,” said Randy Hiebert, MET’s vice president and chemical engineer. “We are currently in negotiations with several energy companies for implementation of biomineralization.”

The Butte-based startup was able to further develop applications for the bio-cement after receiving Phase I, Phase II, and Phase IIB Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding from the Department of Energy.

The MSU Center for Biofilm Engineering’s Dr. Robin Gerlach is acting as the principal investigator on the project with support from Drs. Adrienne Phillips and Al Cunningham. MSU TechLink’s staff assisted the company with its STTR proposals and planning for commercialization.