Get Ahead with Grant Opportunities for Optics & Photonics

Ways to Stretch Marketing Budgets with Grant Funding

In a time of economic uncertainty, you need marketing more than ever to hit your goals, but like many, have had to cut your marketing budget.

Have you been putting a project off due to costs? Check out grants to help fund new marketing campaigns or projects. Many regional industry clusters provide specific funds to increase international trade, or support companies' revenue growth to meet regional job growth goals.

We've worked with many optics and photonics and advanced manufacturing companies that received grant funding to pursue projects that can boost lead generation and revenue. Grant availability is often limited, and changes regularly, so check in with some of the organizations below. With the help of grant funding for marketing projects, Launch has worked with companies nationwide to generate leads, grow revenue and create new jobs. Depending on grant goals, marketing projects might include:

• Website development
• Market research, market sizing, and target market development
• Targeted international lead generation

Grant funding is an excellent way to expand your current marketing outreach. An award can also raise awareness for your company among industry leaders, the community, the media, and prospective business partners by validating the work you are doing and the need for your products.

Several of our customers are currently utilizing grants to work with us on marketing programs that will boost their leads and revenue. If you have a project you’d like to pursue or would like to brainstorm good-fit opportunities, contact us.

Marketing Grants & Funding for Manufacturing and Photonics

New York Photonics Cluster

NextCorps

Rochester and Finger Lakes manufacturers can work through NextCorps to access funding from NIST, NYSTAR, and others. Although project scopes can be broad, the ultimate result of the project should be to increase productivity and/or sales. Learn more. 

Their accelerator programs, including Luminate, an international accelerator and investment fund, awards $3 million annually to 10 companies worldwide developing cutting-edge solutions across various industries, with a strong focus on optics, photonics, and imaging (OPI). Projects that could grow your company in revenue and jobs also qualify. Winning Luminate start-ups from around the world receive funding, world-class programming, and access to our region's OPI ecosystem. 

Parallel programs like the Manufacturing Accelerator and ClimateTech apply this same proven model of funding, expert advice, and partner support in other tech segments. 

Manufacturing Productivity Program (MPP)

National Grid is offering a grant to assist optics manufacturers in the Finger Lakes Region. Qualifying companies include those that are looking to improve productivity, targeting growth activities or seeking a combination of productivity improvement and growth. Eligibility is based on company location – being in one of the National Grid service areas is a must. To learn more, find your regional professional.

Empire State Development Global NY STEP Grant

Working with the SBA, Empire State provides grant funding for international trade shows or foreign trade missions, and international marketing campaigns. Learn more about STEP grants here. 

Montana Cluster

Montana Economic Development Grants

The Montana Community Development Block Grant - Economic Development (CDBG-ED) program is designed to stimulate economic development and create jobs for Montanans, and can be a valuable resource for OPI and manufacturing companies in this sector. 

Businesses partner with their local city or county government to apply for a grant from the CDBG-ED program. If the application is successful, the local government can then loan funds to the eligible business at low, fixed interest rates. The program also offers flexibility with payment structures, including potential deferrals, lower initial payments, and even interest-only options. Get more information.

Leveraging the Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance

The MPQA is a key organization in the state and actively works to support the growth of the optics, photonics, and quantum industries in Montana. They may have information on specific grant opportunities, facilitate collaborations, and advocate for the sector. Joining and engaging with the MPQA is highly recommended. 

Accelerate MT

Accelerate Montana offers various programs statewide to boost economic potential. Their teams provide support for business startups, growth, accessing new markets (including international and government contracts), and connecting to essential business tools and advice. 

If these opportunities seem like a good fit for your company, let us help you get started. Set up a consultation with a Launch principal to brainstorm ideas to move your business forward.

Florida Optics, Photonics and Manufacturing

There are a number of regional opportunities for Florida manufacturing companies to explore: 

Trade grants—to attract international business

We have had success with web projects and digital ads in trade/export grants, since the web is inherently global and we can target specific countries and regions.

SelectFlorida Trade Grants

Qualifications: For marketing funds to increase international sales, the company must be located in Florida, employ five or more full-time employees with $500,000 to $10,000 in annual sales. More...

Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

Part of a national network funded by NIST. We have been engaged by MEP in another state, where they funded our market research and marketing strategy work for a local optical manufacturer. MEP provided a business advisor that coordinated services and funds.

Orlando Tech Community

While many grants may be 'first come first serve', make contact with industry groups like the Orlando Tech Community for current right-fit recommendations. They receive funding from Duke Energy and others to help local manufacturing companies grow. Learn more.