COLORADO ADVANCED INDUSTRY ACCELERATOR PROGRAM
Operating through the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) Global Business Development division, the Advanced Industries Accelerator Program (AIA) was created in 2013 to promote growth and sustainability in Colorado’s advanced industries by driving innovation, accelerating commercialization, encouraging public-private partnerships, increasing access to early-stage capital, and creating a strong ecosystem that increases the state’s global competitiveness.
Eligible businesses must be supporting one of Colorado’s seven advanced industries:
- Advanced manufacturing
- Aerospace
- Bioscience
- Electronics
- Energy and natural resources
- Infrastructure engineering
- Technology and information
Advanced Industries Rural Roadshow • July 23, 2026
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM • Grand Junction Economic Partnership (122 N. 6th Street, Grand Junction CO)
Join the Colorado Office of Economic Development (OEDIT) and the Grand Junction Economic Partnership for a presentation and discussion on available state programs that support commercialization and export activities for Colorado businesses in the advanced industries. The OEDIT Global Business Development team will share information on resources, including the Advanced Industry Early Stage Capital and Retention Grant, the Advanced Industry Investment Tax Credit, the Global Consult Network, and State Trade Expansion Program (STEP).
Light refreshments provided. Space is limited ; please submit your RSVP by July 20, 2026.
Questions? Email selena@gjep.org
Available Resources
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Advanced Industries Early Stage Capital and Retention Grant
This grant helps Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses develop and commercialize advanced technologies that will be created or manufactured in Colorado. Projects can receive up to $250,000.
Learn more and view application deadlines at https://oedit.colorado.gov/advanced-industries-early-stage-capital-retention-grant or contact the Grand Junction Economic Partnership to get started.
Advanced Industries Export Grant
This grant helps Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses that want to export or are currently exporting. This grant is for small- and medium-sized businesses. It reimburses for international business development and marketing costs. Businesses can apply for up to $15,000 and up to 50% of the approved expenses.
Learn more at https://oedit.colorado.gov/advanced-industries-export-grant or contact the Grand Junction Economic Partnership
Global Consult Network
The Global Consultant Network helps Colorado-based small businesses expand into other countries at no cost to the company. Consulting services include market-entry and in-market services.
Consultants can help your business in these countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Philippines, Spain, Thailand, andd the United Kingdom.
Learn more at https://oedit.colorado.gov/global-consultant-network or contact the Grand Junction Economic Partnership
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant helps small businesses expand internationally by funding international business development activities. The purpose of this grant is to offset the cost of expanding internationally for small businesses.
The max amount a company can receive in a year is $10,000. Examples of global business development activities include:
- attending trade shows
- holding international business meetings
- researching new markets
- updating marketing materials for new markets
- compliance testing
Learn more at https://oedit.colorado.gov/state-trade-expansion-program-grant or contact the Grand Junction Economic Partnership
Advanced Industry Investment Tax Credit (AITC)
The Advanced Industry Investment Tax Credit (AITC) encourages third-party investments in Colorado advanced industries businesses by incentivizing investors with state income tax credits.
First, Colorado businesses in the advanced industry sectors apply to be certified as an advanced industry business. They then use that status to attract Colorado investors who can earn a state income tax credit by investing in certified advanced industry businesses.
Investors can earn a tax credit of 25% of their investment up to a maximum $100,000 credit on an investment of $10,000 or more. If the advanced industries business is in a Colorado enterprise zone or rural county, investors can earn a state income tax credit of 35% of their investment.
An investor can only earn a single tax credit per business, but individual investors can receive credits for investing in multiple certified businesses, and multiple investors can earn a credit for investing in the same business. OEDIT reviews the applications in the order they’re received until $4,000,000 of credits have been awarded in a given calendar year (the pool of credits will be reduced to $2.5M starting in the calendar year of 2027). Once the credit pool is exhausted no more credits are awarded, so an investor is not guaranteed a tax credit when they make a qualified investment in a certified business.
Learn more at https://oedit.colorado.gov/advanced-industries-investment-tax-credit or contact the Grand Junction Economic Partnership