Montana Bioscience

The Montana Bioscience Cluster Initiative is a multidimensional program with seasoned stakeholders from the private sector, university, economic development, trade associations and others who already have boots on the ground providing technical assistance as well as support, training, and mentoring to new and established life science businesses, entrepreneurs and students. Montana Bioscience Cluster Initiative partners stand ready to serve in fostering the growth of bioscience in Montana with proven track records of collaborative program design and execution and integrated programs fostering innovation, technology commercialization, entrepreneurship and sustainable small business. The Montana Bioscience Cluster Initiative consists of four key components. 1. A platform to facilitate peer to peer engagement and messaging to the world about Montana’s strengths in meeting critical location factors and providing intellectual capital for the bioscience industry. 2. Workforce development programs that align precisely with existing and anticipated industry need. 3. Ongoing technical assistance to create a holistic continuum of support from startup ideation to export assistance. 4. A gap fund, “The 4th F Fund” used to provide direct assistance to bioscience entrepreneurs in need of money for travel to key conferences, small equipment purchases, or temporary staff assistance in relation to proposal development, etc. This fund is designed for maximum flexibility in support of bioscience entrepreneurs. Beneficiaries will be asked to pay it forward should their commercial endeavor prove viable and profitable.