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Missouri Technology Corporation outlines programs cut by prior funding squeeze; committee urges follow-up

House Budget Committee ยท February 12, 2026

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Summary

Missouri Technology Corporation said reduced line items constrained several entrepreneur-support programs; MTC and the department described grant, loan and state-sponsored venture capital programs and committee members asked for better metrics on program outcomes and rural reach.

Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC) officials told the House Budget Committee that decreased funding in prior years forced the organization to suspend several entrepreneur-support programs and that the FY27 request restores some capacity.

Julia Campbell, interim executive director of MTC, said cuts last year prevented running three programs for entrepreneur-support organizations, though the Missouri-sponsored venture capital fund and the MOBEC program continued. She described MTC activity that includes grants to nonprofit entrepreneur-support organizations, early-stage venture capital investments and programs to support physical infrastructure and investor education.

Campbell said MTC had invested roughly $53 million into early-stage companies to date and that those investments helped attract about $2.2 billion in private capital and create roughly 8,000 jobs in Missouri. Committee members asked for more detailed economic impact data and for follow-up on how reduced funding affected program outcomes in rural regions. Representative Prouty and others praised MTC's role in supporting rural entrepreneurship but asked for concrete performance numbers.

Members also discussed state tools (idea fund, Ignite Mo loan participation) that can support smaller manufacturing and technology firms unable to access venture capital. The department and MTC agreed to provide additional performance metrics and examples of successful grantee projects in rural areas.

Next steps: MTC will provide the committee with metrics on program outputs, examples of supported firms and geographic distribution of beneficiaries so members can evaluate whether restored funding addresses statewide needs.