Montana Technology Enterprise Center

What Montana Technology Enterprise Center does

Montana Technology Enterprise Center (MonTEC) is a nonprofit technology-focused business incubator founded in 2001 and headquartered in a 32,000-square-foot facility at 1121 E Broadway St in Missoula, Montana, along the Clark Fork River adjacent to the University of Montana. Its core offering is integrated physical workspace rather than software: professionally equipped wet laboratories tailored to life sciences and biotechnology research, flexible co-working desks and private offices, conference rooms, and shared amenities including collaboration lounges and event space. The facility is supported by high-speed secure internet infrastructure, on-site operational staff, safety training, and regulatory compliance guidance for laboratory tenants.

MonTEC monetizes these facilities through tiered recurring membership fees (Starter at $1,200/month, Growth at $1,500/month, Premium at $1,800/month) plus two structured engagement programs: a flexible Coworking Company Program on a month-to-month basis, and a Resident Company Program with subsidized tiered rentals for established teams, with typical residency of two to four years. The customer base consists of early-stage founders, applied research teams, growth-stage startups, and life sciences companies across biotechnology (FYR, Inimmune, Balsam Bio, CB Venture Technologies), agriculture (Montana BioAgriculture), defense/security (Novara Sensing Corp, Skyfish), and other technology sectors.

MonTEC's strategic direction is anchored to two forward-looking initiatives: Phase One of the Innovation Corridor Gateway, a planned ~80,000-square-foot multi-story facility that will include 10,000 square feet of GMP-ready, BSL-2 compliant biomanufacturing space, and alignment with Montana SB535 (passed May 2025), the first U.S. state law allowing firms with successful Phase I clinical trials to move directly into limited commercialization. The organization also secured one of seven national SBA Innovation Cluster Development contract awards (2026) and operates an ecosystem of more than 11 partner organizations, with overlapping executive leadership between MonTEC, the University of Montana, and the Montana World Trade Center.

Name

Montana Technology Enterprise Center

Legal name

Montana Technology Enterprise Center

Website

https://montanaenterprisecenter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Montana Technology Enterprise Center (MonTEC) is a nonprofit technology business incubator in Missoula, MT providing wet laboratories, co-working, and private offices to early-stage life sciences, biotech, and technology startups through tiered monthly memberships, while expanding toward GMP-ready biomanufacturing capacity under the state's SB535 legislation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Incubation and Innovation Infrastructure

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821)

akta.pro primary industry

Healthcare & Laboratory Interior Fit-Out (IMAFANAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Laboratory, Bioanalytical & Central Lab Staffing FSP (HLAGAOAI)

Keywords

• Business incubator services
• Wet laboratory facilities
• Co-working office space
• Biomanufacturing infrastructure
• Innovation cluster development

Headquarters

HQ city

Missoula

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: MonTEC generates revenue through tiered membership fees at three levels: Starter ($1,200/month), Growth ($1,500/month), and Premium ($1,800/month). These provide access to wet labs, co-working spaces, private offices, business development support, and mentorship services.
2. Coworking and Resident Rentals: Coworking companies pay month-to-month fees for community space access. Resident companies pay tiered, subsidized rental rates for dedicated office and laboratory spaces suited to their business needs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MonTEC operates a 32,000 square foot technology business incubator in Missoula, Montana, providing professionally equipped wet laboratories, flexible co-working and private office spaces, and shared amenities to life sciences, biotechnology, and technology startups and growth-stage companies. Memberships are sold at three monthly tiers (Starter $1,200, Growth $1,500, Premium $1,800), with subsidized resident rentals for established companies. A planned ~80,000 sq ft Innovation Corridor Gateway facility will add 10,000 sq ft of GMP-ready biomanufacturing space supporting BSL-2 compliant operations.

Product overview

MonTEC is a technology-focused business incubator providing integrated physical workspace solutions rather than a software platform. The core offering consists of Wet Laboratory Facilities (professionally equipped labs for life sciences and biotechnology research), Flexible Workspaces (co-working, dedicated desks, private offices, and conference rooms), and Shared Amenities (collaboration spaces, events, networking). These are offered through three membership tiers: Starter ($1,200/month), Growth ($1,500/month), and Premium ($1,800/month), each with escalating access to wet lab space and business support services. MonTEC also operates two engagement programs: the Coworking Company Program (flexible month-to-month) and Resident Company Program (tiered rental for established teams, typically 2-4 years). The planned Innovation Corridor Gateway is a multi-story ~80,000 SF facility that will include GMP-ready biomanufacturing space (10,000 SF) designed to bridge research and commercial production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wet Laboratory Facilities Professionally equipped wet laboratories designed for research, testing, and prototyping, tailored for life sciences, biotechnology, and applied research ventures. Includes modern bench space with essential utilities, shared equipment, secure material storage, safety training, and regulatory compliance guidance.
• Flexible Workspaces Flexible work environments accommodating a range of team sizes and working styles including open co-working desks, dedicated workstations, private offices, and fully equipped conference rooms with high-speed secure internet infrastructure.
• Shared Amenities Collaboration lounges, common areas, presentation and event space, on-site operational support, weekly happy hours, and networking opportunities. Provides proximity to regional business and academic resources.
• Starter Membership Membership priced at $1,200/month designed for early-stage founders and exploratory research teams. Includes limited wet lab access, shared co-working desk, and access to community events and workshops.
• Growth Membership Membership priced at $1,500/month ideal for startups expanding research and operations. Includes expanded wet lab access, dedicated desk or shared office space, and business development and technical support.
• Premium Membership Membership priced at $1,800/month for established teams requiring advanced access and privacy. Includes full wet lab access, private office or dedicated lab area, priority equipment usage, and enhanced mentorship and advisory services.
• Coworking Company Program Flexible month-to-month engagement for approved coworking companies with key FOB access and use of community and coworking space. Designed for businesses approaching early sales or investment needing a professional front without long-term lease commitment.
• Resident Company Program Full access coworking with tiered/subsidized rental rates for space combinations fitting business needs. Designed for companies hiring full-time employees and securing investment/contracts. Typical residency ranges from two to four years with MonTEC acting as a partner to accommodate growth.

Quantifiable outcome

• Access to GMP-ready space for pilot manufacturing and commercialization of biopharmaceutical products
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of MontanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Montana is a key partner providing research campus proximity and access to intellectual capital. MonTEC is located adjacent to the main UM campus and supports technology transfer and research commercialization. Scott Whittenburg serves as both MonTEC president and UM vice president of research and creative scholarship.
• Montana World Trade CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMontana World Trade Center (MWTC) has served Montana as a trusted business adviser for nearly two decades. MWTC provides global connectivity and catalytic programming for MonTEC tenants. Brigitta Miranda-Freer serves as MWTC executive director while also overseeing MonTEC operations.
• Montana Bioscience AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Montana Bioscience Alliance serves as a hub for Montana's biotechnology companies, entrepreneurs, laboratories, hospitals, clinics and universities. The organization is a key partner in the Montana Bioscience Cluster Initiative.
• Montana High Tech Business AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched in April 2014, the Montana High Tech Business Alliance is a nonpartisan membership organization supporting technology businesses across Montana.
• Montana Manufacturing Extension CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA statewide manufacturing outreach and assistance center staffed by full-time professionals with extensive experience in manufacturing and business across various industries.
• Montana Department of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports economic growth by helping businesses, communities, and industries access resources, funding, and development opportunities across the state.
• Montana APEX AcceleratorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelps businesses navigate government contracting by providing free guidance, training, and support for selling products and services to government agencies.
• Montana Small Business Development CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides tools and guidance to help small businesses succeed, offering a network for individuals looking to start or expand businesses.
• Missoula Economic PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks collaboratively to foster business diversity, sustainability and job development in Missoula. Executive Director Grant Kier noted ongoing talent development is crucial for community and economy.
• Blackstone LaunchPad at the University of MontanaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA national model for fostering entrepreneurship helping students jumpstart their own businesses, integrated with MonTEC's ecosystem.
• Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub MontanaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnects Montana innovators and businesses with Department of Defense opportunities to advance commercial technology for national security.
• Swan Valley MedicalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Ron Zook, a serial entrepreneur, noted the contract will help build requisite ecosystem for bioscience activity and bring momentum to more rural Montana communities with focus on medical device technologies.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• LabCentral: Nonprofit biotech incubator operating shared laboratory and office facilities in Cambridge, MA for early-stage life science startups. Direct comparable as a nonprofit wet-lab incubator serving biotech founders with tiered membership and shared equipment.
• BioGenerator: St. Louis-based life science startup accelerator that combines lab infrastructure, investment, and company formation services. Direct comparable as a regional life science incubator supporting biotech founders from lab to commercialization.
• University City Science Center: Philadelphia-based research park and life science incubator offering lab, office, and programming for early-stage science ventures. Comparable as a university-adjacent, lab-focused incubator serving biotech/health startups.
• BioEnterprise / JumpStart Health: Cleveland-based organization supporting health and biotech startups with mentoring, infrastructure, and capital. Comparable as a regional life science incubator ecosystem with similar nonprofit/government-affiliated structure.
• Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC): Large operator of shared lab, coworking, and private office space for startups and innovation-focused organizations across multiple U.S. cities. Direct comparable given shared lab/coworking model, tiered memberships, and incubator ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Large global accelerator running industry and thematic programs including health and biotech. Comparable at the level of community-led GTM and ecosystem-based startup support, though commercial and not lab-specific.
• Alexandria Real Estate Equities: REIT specializing in life science lab and GMP manufacturing real estate. Relevant as the dominant incumbent operating cluster-scale lab/biomanufacturing real estate, the scale end of MonTEC's expansion ambition.
• MassChallenge: Large global startup accelerator operating industry-specific programs (including HealthTech) with no equity taken. Broadly comparable as a nonprofit accelerator model supporting early-stage founders, though not lab-focused.

Regional players

• The Venture Center: Arkansas-based innovation hub and SBA-affiliated startup accelerator supporting founders through programming and infrastructure. Comparable as a regional, SBA-connected innovation hub serving entrepreneurs in a non-coastal market.
• Innovation Depot: Birmingham, Alabama-based technology and life science business incubator offering lab and office space to early-stage companies. Comparable as a regional incubator providing wet-lab and coworking infrastructure to startups.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MonTEC.Missoula
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/montana-technology-enterprise-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Montana Technology Enterprise Center