Seven Iowa technology businesses received Iowa Demonstration Fund grants totaling $650,000 in the latest round of funding from the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) that aims to help foster innovative technology products in three areas of Iowa’s economy: advanced manufacturing, information technology and bioscience.

The grants are typically awarded to assist businesses that have developed a product that they are ready to begin rolling out to the market, said Doug Lewis, of the Innovation and Commercialization Division of IDED. The goal of the program is to help support businesses through the product launch phase so that the products can be successful, which ultimately can lead to more well-paying careers in Iowa.

The program, which was started in 2007 for fiscal 2008, is now in its third year and has funded 63 applications. The economy, however, has made for a big challenge in getting capital for starting a business, and as a result, Lewis said in the last three months he has seen a drop-off in the number of applications. Lewis said the grant administrators had expected to see more in this fiscal year and hope more companies will apply.

Grants are awarded every other month. For more information and instructions about how to apply, go to www.iowalifechanging.com.

Here is how the seven businesses plan to use the grant money according to the IDED.

Eliason Media, Urbandale

www.eliasonmedia.com

Award: $100,000 to further develop its Twittad technology that pays Twitter users to send advertising messages to their friends. The business will also hire a full-time business development director who will take Eliason Media’s social media products to market nationwide.

ezPay LLC, Johnston

Web site: none

Award: $50,000 to market a product that accelerates recurring payments associated with long-term services and contracts.

Canvis LLC, West Des Moines

www.canvis.us

Award: $50,000 to market Web-based software to housing developers and general contractors that allows each buyer to personalize his or her new home.

DeskActive, Des Moines

www.deskactive.com

Award: $50,000 for expanded marketing of a health and safety software product that can help reduce health problems among sedentary office workers.

Innovative Lighting, Roland

www.innovativelight.com

Award: $150,000

Ovation Networks, Cedar Rapids

www.ovationnetworks.com

Award: $150,000

Agren Inc., Carroll

www.agren-inc.com

Award: $100,000