2026 Montana Rural Impact Forum
Date: September 9, 2026, 8:30 AM-September 10, 2026, 11:45 AM MDT
Summary:
Join partners from across Montana and the Mountain West September 9-10 in Great Falls for the 2026 Montana Rural Impact Forum. This free, two-day event will explore the federal, state and local tools supporting vibrant rural communities, with sessions on Opportunity Zones, rural health funding, innovative meat processing, cross-agency funding opportunities and local project tours. Space is limited, so register today to connect with leaders, explore funding pathways and learn from projects making an impact across Montana.
Registration Cost: Free
Registration Link: https://growgreatfallsmontana.org/montana-rural-impact-forum/
The Business of Phase III at DoD with Randy Simpson of TechOpp
Date: September 9, 2026, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM MDT
Summary:
Join us for the first of our September Commercialization series as we welcome our partner Randy Simpson with TechOpp to discuss setting your company up for Phase III success when pursuing DoD SBIR/STTR. We'll highlight:
- History of the program
- DoD Success Stories
- What is Phase III?
- ID Your Phase III Customer
- Phase II Execution
- Know Your Competencies
- Q&A
Who should attend: Small businesses pursuing or who have received SBIR/STTR, entrepreneurial support teams and other organizations supporting technology focused startups, and anyone interested in learning more about commercialization paths for SBIR funded companies.
Registration Cost: Free
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/b0EZUHMMT3KvntMMaD7xzg#/registration
The Business Side of SBIR with Jim Greenwood
Date: September 10, 2026, 12:00 PM-4:00 PM MDT
Summary:
Join us for the second workshop in this series as we welcome our partner Jim Greenwood with Greenwood Consulting Group to discuss the Business Side of SBIR. This workshop helps participants put an SBIR project into the proper context of their business. Does the project support the company's mission and goals? Is the project priced to ensure full recovery of the company's cost in performing the work? What is the most logical commercialization path for bringing the SBIR-funded technology to the marketplace? These and many similar issues are discussed.
Who should attend: Small businesses pursuing or who have received SBIR/STTR, entrepreneurial support teams and other organizations supporting technology focused startups, and anyone interested in learning more about commercialization paths for SBIR funded companies.
Registration Cost: Free
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/BXff78qORDa6eA5Py8sQhQ#/registration
Montana Emergency Tourism Assistance Program Pre-Application Workshop
Date: September 14, 2026, 1:00 PM
Summary:
The Application Guidelines are posted on METAP’s website, on the application tab, and the funding opportunity will be available soon.
You must register in advance for the Zoom webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Registration Cost: Free
Registration Link: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bMaDFJLbT-GpdorjewbEyA
September - What happens after SAM? - Unlock New Business Opportunities!
Date: September 16, 2026, 11:30
Summary:
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
- Government Innovation Programs
- 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.
Registration Cost: Free
Registration Link: https://mtapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/signup/41678
Getting Ready for the Bank: Boost Your Business
Date: September 17, 2026, 8:30 AM–9:30 AM
Summary:
Level up your business skills and stay ahead of the curve with Boost Your Business, a FREE in-person training series designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and professionals across all industries. Each month, we dive into a new topic—marketing, leadership, finance, operations, technology, and more—to give you practical tools you can use right away.
You have a business idea and need to get a loan to get started-where do you go and what do you need to have ready? Join us for this interactive training and conversation around what you need to be “bank ready”.
Registration Cost: Free
Registration Link: https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/6187
Preparing Your SBIR Commercialization Plan with Jim Greenwood
Date: September 17, 2026, 12:00 PM-4:00 PM MDT
Summary:
Join us for the third workshop in this series presented by our partner Jim Greenwood with Greenwood Consulting Group. Jim's Commercialization Workshop, by way of an example, leads participants through a process of deciding if a commercialization opportunity exists, determining the best way to exploit it, and presenting it all in an SBIR/STTR commercialization plan.
Who should attend: Small businesses pursuing or who have received SBIR/STTR, entrepreneurial support teams and other organizations supporting technology focused startups, and anyone interested in learning more about commercialization paths for SBIR funded companies.
Registration Cost: Free
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/THsyzCX8TnK6eLUFyArZvQ#/registration
Leveraging TABA Funding for SBIR Companies with Ed Kase
Date: September 23, 2026, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM MDT
Summary:
You’ve cracked the technical problem. But turning your SBIR/STTR project into a real product and a real business? That’s the hard part. In this final workshop in our Commercialization for SBIR companies series "Leveraging TABA Funding for SBIR Companies", our partner Ed Kase with EKase Consulting will discuss:
- What is TABA funding within SBIR/STTR programs
- Overview of the new TABA terms within the SBIR Reauthorization
- Planning for commercialization and support with TABA throughout your SBIR journey.
- Core services covered by TABA
- When and how to request TABA
- Examples of successful companies that leveraged TABA
Who should attend: Small businesses pursuing or who have received SBIR/STTR, entrepreneurial support teams and other organizations supporting technology focused startups, and anyone interested in learning more about commercialization paths for SBIR funded companies.
Registration Cost: Free
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Kgf5NO8wQPmxUh8CdnlFhQ#/registration
Destination Creation Workshop: Shelby, MT
Date: October 6, 2026, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Summary:
THE ONLY CLASS IN THE WORLD WHERE YOU CAN LEARN HOW TO TURN YOUR BUSINESS OR COMMUNITY INTO A CONSUMER DESTINATION
Registration Cost: Free
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/0453d91c-9356-49d1-b91a-7779839dcee4
Destination Creation Workshop: Great Falls, MT
Date: October 7, 2026, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Summary:
THE ONLY CLASS IN THE WORLD WHERE YOU CAN LEARN HOW TO TURN YOUR BUSINESS OR COMMUNITY INTO A CONSUMER DESTINATION
Registration Cost: Free
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/83243470-6d59-4f3a-bd7d-873471b58d8c
Understanding Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) in Federal Contracting
Date: October 14, 2026, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM MDT
Summary:
Join Montana APEX Accelerator for a high-level overview of Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI). Gain a clear understanding of how it can impact your ability to compete for and maintain federal contracts. This session will demystify the concept, explain compliance requirements, and outline practical steps to identify and mitigate potential FOCI risks. Whether your business is currently contracting with the government or exploring new contract opportunities, this overview will help you strengthen your readiness and protect your eligibility in the federal marketplace.
Registration Cost: Free
Registration Link: https://mtapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/signup/41685
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