Scale & Funding

Scaling Your Innovation & External Funding:

After you have validated your idea and engaged OU resources, the next step is scaling your innovation beyond campus. This page highlights common external funding pathways and partners, from SBIR/STTR grants to accelerators and investment.

Non-Dilutive Funding: Grants & Contracts:

Non-dilutive funding supports research and development without giving up ownership in a company. These mechanisms are especially powerful for technology emerging from universities.

SBIR – Small Business Innovation Research

Provides federal funding for high-risk, high-reward R&D conducted through small businesses.

Typical structure:

• Phase I – Feasibility and proof-of-concept
• Phase II – Prototype development and validation
• Phase IIB / III – Follow-on funding and commercialization

OU-affiliated startups can work with OK Catalyst and campus partners to develop competitive SBIR proposals.

STTR – Small Business Technology Transfer

• Similar to SBIR but requires formal collaboration between a small business and a research institution such as OU.
• Supports sustained collaboration between PI and campus lab.
• Encourages transfer of early-stage technologies from universities.

Other Translational & Foundation Grants

• Agencies such as NIH, NSF, DOE, and discipline-specific foundations offer translational programs that fund validation, scale-up, or real-world deployments.
• These can complement SBIR/STTR or serve as stepping stones to later-stage funding.

Callout:

How OU can help: OK Catalyst and campus proposal experts can help you match opportunities, build a strong commercialization plan, and align your proposal with sponsor expectations.

Dilutive Funding: Investors & Strategic Partners:

Once your startup demonstrates traction—users, pilots, or early revenue—you may choose to pursue equity funding. This can accelerate growth while exchanging ownership for capital and expertise.

Angel Investors

• Fund early milestones and proof-of-concept work
• Provide mentoring and networks
• Often invest on relatively founder-friendly terms

Venture Capital (VC)

• Larger investments for companies with strong growth potential
• Look for large addressable markets, traction, and scalable models
• Often join the board and help shape strategy

Corporate & Strategic Investors

• Corporations invest in or partner with startups whose technologies align with their priorities
• Provide access to distribution channels and customers
• May open paths to co-development or acquisition

Accelerators, Incubators & Growth Programs: Accelerators and incubators combine mentorship, training, and networks—often with a small amount of capital—to help startups refine business models and prepare for investment or scale. 

• Sector-Specific Accelerators: Many accelerators focus on particular domains such as health, energy, climate, or education. These programs connect you with mentors and partners who understand your industry.
• Regional & Heartland Programs: Regional accelerators provide support tailored to the Oklahoma and broader Heartland innovation ecosystem, often facilitating introductions to local investors, corporate partners, and pilot sites.
• Virtual & National Programs: National and virtual programs enable OU-affiliated startups to access broader networks, mentorship, and capital while remaining anchored in the OU community.