Wisconsin Technology Development Loan (TDL)
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
Up to 20% of project cost
WI tech startup debt at 6% from WEDC
WEDC's Technology Development Loan provides below-market debt financing to Wisconsin startups and early-stage companies commercializing new technologies, products, or concepts. Loans carry 6% fixed interest over 5–7 years, with an option to convert up to 20% of the loan to equity. WEDC typically fills up to 20% of the project funding stack — all remaining financing must be committed before WEDC disburses. FY26: federal funds only.
- Funding type
- Loan
- Level
- State
- Amount
- WEDC TDL fills up to 20% of an identified project or funding cycle. Loan carries 6% fixed interest rate. Terms typically 5–7 years. Up to 20% of loan amount can convert to equity. All remaining project financing must be committed/available before WEDC disburses.
- Realistic amount
- Most TDL awards are in the $100,000–$500,000 range based on WEDC's 20%-of-project cap and typical high-growth-company ca…
- Deadline
- Rolling — applications reviewed as submitted through WEDC. Contact Technology Investment Manager Joey Frayne at joey.frayne@wedc.org.
- Status
- active
- States
- WI
- Payment model
- advance
Who qualifies
- Wisconsin-based company with high-growth potential in technology, advanced manufacturing, or innovation sectors
- Actively commercializing a new technology, product, or concept with national or global market potential
- Must have the balance of project financing committed from other sources before WEDC will disburse (WEDC fills up to 20%)
- At development stages: concept, prototype, research, or market entry
- For-profit entities only
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
- Location restriction: Wisconsin
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Product development and engineering costs
- Prototype and pilot production expenses
- Market validation and customer development
- Working capital to support commercialization activities
- Key personnel hiring for technology teams
- IP filing and protection costs
Ineligible expenses
- Real estate purchases (non-production)
- Refinancing of existing debt
- General administrative overhead not tied to the technology project
- Marketing for non-technology or non-innovative businesses
- Expenses outside Wisconsin
How to apply
-
1
Contact WEDC Technology Investment Manager
Email or call Joey Frayne (joey.frayne@wedc.org) at WEDC to discuss the project, confirm eligibility, and understand the current capital availability (FY26 is federal-funds-only with limited capacity).
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2
Prepare technology and commercialization narrative
WEDC evaluates technology viability, market opportunity, team capabilities, and execution plan. Prepare: technology description, IP status (patents, trade secrets), competitive differentiation, target market size, and go-to-market strategy.
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3
Document committed co-financing
Identify and commit all co-financing sources (angel investors, bank loans, SBA programs, SBIR, etc.). WEDC requires the full project funding stack to be committed before disbursing. Include commitment letters or executed term sheets.
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4
Submit full application with financial projections
Submit the WEDC TDL application package: business plan, 3-year financial projections with cash flow, management team bios, capital structure showing committed co-financing, and detailed use of proceeds.
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5
WEDC review and loan closing
WEDC reviews against growth potential, market opportunity, team, technology viability, and secondary economic benefit to Wisconsin. Approved loans are closed with standard loan documents including the optional equity conversion provision.
The 20% equity conversion option is unusual for a state program — it signals WEDC views this as quasi-equity. Structure your cap table with that conversion in mind before negotiating terms.
Deadline & timing
TDL is reviewed on a rolling basis with no formal intake windows. WEDC has limited FY26 capital (federal funds only for FY26). Contact Joey Frayne at WEDC before preparing a full application.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.