The joint hiring of a federal grant expert marks a growing partnership between two of the state’s leading economic development agencies: the Kansas Bioscience Authority and the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corp.

KBA and KTEC, both supported through state dollars, made a commitment last fall to work together to develop a statewide program that would provide support for startup companies applying for federal technology grants.

The two agencies announced that they had hired Don Colbert, who has helped startup companies in three other states tap into the $3 billion available each year in federal technology development grants.

Colbert, whose $105,000 salary the two agencies will split, is the first employee the agencies have shared. Before coming to Kansas, Colbert had been the executive director at the Georgia Medical Center Authority.

KBA President and CEO Tom Thornton said that many entrepreneurs don’t have experience in writing grant proposals and need assistance. Federal funds, such as those funneled through the Small Business Innovation Research program, can be crucial in propelling young companies forward.

Last year, Kansas received close to $5 million in federal dollars for small business research. Over the past decade, Kansas ranked in the bottom quarter nationally for receiving federal small business research grants.

“It’s a very competitive process, and the vast majority of these funds end up in big technology states,” Thornton said. “And, I think it is safe to say we are trying to aggressively change that and really market the program and make sure companies are aware of it and make sure companies are developing the highest quality proposals they can so we can win more money.”

With Colbert on board, Kansas small businesses will have an intermediary between them and federal agencies. They will also have assistance in developing grant proposals. And the KBA and KTEC plan to conduct conferences on federal funding opportunities.

Colbert’s position isn’t the only area where the two agencies are working toward collaboration. They also are looking to partner with business incubator programs and entrepreneurial education.