FY27 Innovation: Ideation to Commercialization (IIC)
FY27 Innovation: Ideation to Commercialization (IIC) supports teams exploring cybersecurity technologies’ commercial viability and forming startups to strengthen Southwest Virginia’s innovation ecosystem.
Funder: Commonwealth Cyber Initiative
Due Dates: November 16, 2026 (Virginia Tech internal initiation) | December 4, 2026, 5:00 p.m. EST (Proposal submission)
Funding Amounts: Track 1: up to $50,000 over 12 months, including a conditional $25,000 option | Track 2: up to $10,000 over six months
Summary: Supports cybersecurity startup formation and commercial viability exploration to strengthen Southwest Virginia’s innovation ecosystem.
Key Information: PIs must belong to a public higher education institution in the CCI Southwest Virginia Network and be institutionally eligible to lead external grants.
Description
The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Southwest Virginia Node (CCI SWVA) supports teams establishing, or making progress toward establishing, startup companies featuring cybersecurity technology in Southwest Virginia. Awards support active and immediate commercialization rather than research. The program aims to strengthen the region’s cybersecurity innovation ecosystem by helping teams assess existing technologies, establish businesses, and pursue commercial opportunities.
Track 1 serves teams with technologies or products at an advanced state of commercial readiness. It supports company formation or provisional patent filing, followed by customer discovery, market research, and a preliminary go-to-market strategy. Track 2, delivered in partnership with VT Launch, helps teams not yet ready to establish a business explore commercial viability. Teams may investigate technological novelty, conduct market research, or plan participation in an NSF I-Corps regional short course or equivalent.
