eip@umsystem.edu
573-882-6726

The University of Missouri System's Enterprise Investment Program was created to help Missouri startup and early stage companies working to commercialize intellectual property developed at the University. The intent of this program is to assist in the commercialization effort of University developed intellectual property in order to create jobs and generate lasting economic benefits to the State of Missouri.

The maximum amount of investment to any single company is $500,000.

Among other things, the application will be reviewed to determine whether the investment, if made, would 1) accomplish the goals set forth by the applicant in the application, 2) create Missouri jobs, 3) move the university developed intellectual property closer to market, and 4) provide the university with, at a minimum, a return of and hopefully a return on the university's financial investment.

Applicant Requirements

• Applicant must have a relationship with the University of Missouri in the form of:
  • a license, or in negotiations for a license, to university owned intellectual property, or
  • rights to intellectual property developed at the university, but which is not owned by the university, that is being or will be commercialized by the applicant company.

  Preference or additional consideration may be given to applicant companies that

• secure funding from additional sources (co-investments); and/or
  • operate out of, or make a commitment to operate out of, a university incubator or research park; and/or
  • have previously granted the university an equity interest in the company; and/or
  • make a commitment to employ, or procure through contract, the services of the university, its faculty, staff, or students.
• The total investment requested, or when combined with prior investments under this program, cannot exceed $500,000.
• A majority of the company's assets and employees must be located in Missouri and the applicant must agree to maintain such majority during the funding period and have the intent to maintain a majority thereafter.
• The UMEIP program is directed toward startups and early stage companies. Therefore, an applicant company cannot have been in business greater than five years from the date of application.
• Applicant must be a separate legal entity, such as a corporation or LLC.
• Applicant must agree to convertible debt investment based on fair market value equivalent to the amount of the university's financial investment.
• Applicant must agree to provide financial statements, progress reports and other appropriate information reasonably requested by the university.
• Applicant must agree to accept funding in installments based on achievement of agreed-upon milestones.
• No current member of the UM System Board of Curators or General Officers may be a principal or anticipated principal of the applicant or have any other direct or indirect material financial interest in the applicant.
• Any principal or anticipated principal of the applicant that is also an employee of the university must be in compliance with the university's policy on conflict of interest.