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Whether you're just getting started, looking for new customers,
wanting to grow sales through e-commerce, or focusing on workforce.
We're here to help.
Check out the upcoming trainings below!
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NCATS SBIR/STTR Funding: Translating Your Research into Real-World Impact
Join us to learn about the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs - non-dilutive funding and commercialization assistance tailored for translational science innovators! Discover how these programs can support researchers like you in navigating the journey to commercialization.
In this engaging session, you'll gain:
- Insight into the NCATS SBIR/STTR programs and upcoming funding opportunities
- Tips for submitting a successful application
- Guidance on building strong partnerships and achieving commercialization goals
- A closer look at the Montana ecosystem and resources available to support your research
We'll highlight the STTR program, which promotes collaboration between small businesses and research institutions, and be joined by technology transfer leadership from Montana State University and the University of Montana.
- Wednesday, January 22, 2025
- 1:00 - 2:30 PM (MDT)
- Online
- Free
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Explore Business Opportunities
with the U.S. Forest Service
At this in-person event, businesses will gain valuable insights on how to successfully engage with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). You’ll have the opportunity to network, present your capability statement, and connect directly with USFS representatives and potential partners. This is your chance to stay competitive and ready for the 2025 season.
Topics will include:
• USFS Mission and Overview
• Current Opportunities
• Commonly Purchased Products/Services
• Forecast of Upcoming Opportunities
• Requirements for Doing Business with USFS
• VIPR Solicitations
• AIMS Dispatch Priority Lists
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Tuesday Training: Made in Montana,
Agritourism, & More!
Have you wanted to diversify your on farm income by inviting guests to learn more about your farm or ranch? Are you curious about what those colorful ‘Made in Montana’ stickers are all about? Do you want to know what support the MT Department of Commerce offers to producers and processors in our state?
Join the Great Falls Development Alliance’s Food and Ag Development Center and Susan Joy of the MT Department of Commerce for a webinar to learn more about resources available to Montanan food and ag business owners. In this webinar you’ll learn about:
- The Made in Montana Program and how it can help your business
- Key take aways from the Dept of Commerce’s Agritourism Grant
- Tips for starting or expanding your own Agritourism business
- & much more!
- Tuesday, January 28, 2025
- 12:00 - 12:30 PM (MDT)
- Virtual
- Free
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The Small Business Webinar Series - Montana Manufacturing Extension Center
The Montana Manufacturing Extension Center is a statewide manufacturing outreach and assistance center staffed by full-time professionals with extensive experience in manufacturing and business in a variety of industries. Our mission is to grow Montana's economy by helping manufacturers succeed.
- Thursday, February 6, 2025
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (MDT)
- Virtual
- Free
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Strategic Teaming Alliance Roundtable (STAR)
Join Montana APEX Accelerator and Northrop Grumman for the first-quarter update of the Strategic Teaming Alliance Roundtable (STAR) series. Representatives from Northrop Grumman will share valuable tips and proven strategies to help businesses across all industries on building successful partnerships with Northrop Grumman, their subcontractors, and first-tier primes. This is a series of events, and new panelists will provide unique insights at each roundtable!
Why Attend?
- Each STAR panel features unique presenters, offering fresh insights and valuable perspectives.
- Gain strategies for building strong, long-lasting partnerships with key industry players.
- Uncover new contracting opportunities.
- Understand the critical importance of registering with prime contractors to increase your visibility and opportunities. · Access valuable resources designed to help your business succeed and thrive in the government market.
- Thursday, February 6, 2025
- 1:00 - 2:00 PM (MDT)
- Virtual
- Free
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BUSINESS BLITZ
This full-day workshop covers everything you need to start or grow your business, including legal structures, business planning, financial basics, marketing, and more.
Please register to receive the full agenda with session times. Lunch is included, and you'll leave with practical tools and resources to help your business succeed!
- Legal Entity Formation: Learn about business structures, their pros and cons, and compliance requirements.
- Business Planning: Dive into the Business Model Canvas, plan essentials, and SWOT analysis.
- Financial Basics: Understand key financial concepts, break-even points, and practice with a hands-on exercise.
- Identifying Your Target Audience: Discover strategies to define and reach your ideal customer.
- Business Tools and Resources: Explore free and affordable tools for managing and marketing your business.
- Marketing Essentials: Create a marketing plan to effectively promote your business.
Join us for one session—or stay for the whole day!
- Tuesday, February 11, 2025
- 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (MDT)
- In Person: Spring Hill Suites
- Free
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What happens after SAM? - Unlock New Business Opportunities!
Please join the Montana APEX Accelerator for a strategic VIRTUAL training on how YOU can sell your company's products/services to federal and state agencies.
Topics include:
- Federal and State of MT purchasing thresholds
- Conducting market research
- Federal purchasing vehicles (methods)
- Where to find opportunities and how to get automatic notices
- Marketing your business to government agencies
- Tips on finding subcontracting opportunities
- Q & A session
Who should attend? Any business in any industry that is interested in developing a focused market strategy for the government segment. It is not a requirement to already be registered in SAM or eMACS to attend the training. However, we will not be going over the registration process in this training.
- Wednesday, February 19, 2025
- 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM (MDT)
- Virtual
- Free
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Selling Homemade Food 101: Food Law & Liability
Limited regulations does not mean limited liability
under SB199. This webinar will provide an overview of
what legal and liability considerations you need to keep
in mind as a home-food producer. This session will be
led by Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Montana, Cort Jensen.
- Wednesday, February 19, 2025
- 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM (MDT)
- Virtual
- Free
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Grow diverse economic opportunities that enhance quality of life. | |
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Our Mission
Grow diverse economic opportunities that enhance quality of life.
GFDA is a certified Community Development Financial Institution and a 501(c)3 charitable organization. High Plains Financial is a certified Community Development Corporation that offers SBA 504 loans statewide. GFDA and High Plains Financial are Equal Opportunity Employers, Lenders and Providers.
GFDA is proud to host a Montana Small Business Development Center, a Montana APEX Accelerator, and a Montana Food & Ag Development Center. GFDA is a certified Montana MicroBusiness Development Corporation.
GFDA was the first economic development organization in the Rocky Mountain West to earn accreditation from the International Economic Development Council.
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