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Advanced Industries Accelerator Program

The Advanced Industries Accelerator (AIA) Program was created in 2013 to promote growth and sustainability in Colorado's advanced industries.

Denver, CO, USA

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Application Deadline
02/26/2026 12:00 PM

Description

The Advanced Industries Accelerator (AIA) Program is a grant initiative managed by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) to support high-tech companies in seven critical industries: aerospace, advanced manufacturing, bioscience, electronics, energy/natural resources, infrastructure engineering, and technology/information.

Eligibility

  • Location: Must be headquartered in Colorado or have at least 50% of employees based in the state.
  • Industry Focus: Must directly support one of Colorado's seven advanced industries.
  • Financial Limits: (For ESCR grants) Annual revenue under $10M and total third-party funding under $20M.
  • Matching Requirement: Applicants must provide non-State matching funds (e.g., $2-to-$1 for ESCR and Infrastructure grants; $1-to-3 for POC grants). 

Process

The program targets technologies at various stages, categorized by grant type: 

  • Proof of Concept (POC): Pre-commercial research and commercialization preparation for technologies discovered at research institutions.
  • Early-Stage Capital and Retention (ESCR): For companies commercializing innovative, disruptive technologies that have already moved past the proof-of-concept phase and are ready for product development or market validation.
  • Seed & Expansion: Supporting businesses with less than $10 million in annual revenue and less than $20 million raised from third-party investors. 

What an Applicant can Obtain

  • Non-Dilutive Funding: Grants range from $150,000 (POC) to $250,000 (ESCR) per project, with potential for higher amounts for collaborative or multi-industry projects.
  • Export Support: Small businesses can apply for up to $15,000 via the Export Grant for international business development.
  • Tax Credits: Investors in certified businesses can receive a state income tax credit of 25%–35% (up to $100,000).