"The purpose of the Business Innovation Act is to encourage and support the transfer of Nebraska-based technology and innovation in rural and urban areas of Nebraska in order to create high growth, high technological companies, small businesses, and microenterprises and to enhance creation of wealth and quality jobs." The program provides funding to help businesses develop new technologies that lead to quality job opportunities across the state. Competitive grants will provide funding and technical assistance for research at Nebraska institutions, new product development and testing, and help expand small business and entrepreneur outreach efforts. The program offers several distinct area of assistance (listed below).

1. Nebraska Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIR) 
   Small businesses that qualify under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program for the purposes of planning for an application under the SBIR Program.
   • Nebraska SBIR “Phase 0 “Planning Grants Guidelines | Application
   • Nebraska SBIR Matching Grants for Phase I and Phase II Guidelines | Application
     
     
2. Nebraska Innovation Fund
   
   • Nebraska Prototyping Program (pre-seed stage) Guidelines | Application
   • Nebraska Commercialization Program (seed stage) Guidelines | Application
     
     
3. Nebraska Research and Development Program
   • Nebraska Research and Development Program. Guidelines | Application
     
     
4. Nebraska Microenterprise Assistance Program
   
   • Nebraska Microenterprise Investment Program. Guidelines and Application
   • Nebraska Microenterprise Lending Program. Guidelines and Application