Michele Stansfield
Funding

Fermentation startup Cauldron scores $4.3 million in first funding from the federal government’s revamped entrepreneurship program

- August 12, 2024 3 MIN READ

Funding from the federal government’s new $392 million Industry Growth Program (IGP) has begun to flow, with $7.4 million in grants awarded to give startups spanning biotech, robotics, renewable energy, cybersecurity and medtech. IGP was announced in the 2023 federal budget, replacing the former Entrepreneurs Program, which had the same level of funding, but was… Read more »

Business

Researchers found an easy way to detect companies that perform poorly – the number of government grants they receive

- July 18, 2024 3 MIN READ

Australia hands out the best part of A$1 billion per year in grants to businesses. Many of these come with no strings attached, meaning there is no need to evaluate whether the grants boost employment, help the recipients become more efficient, or benefit the nation. To test what good these grants do, my team at… Read more »

Spock and Capt Kirk
Other

BOLDLY GO: The foundation named after Star Trek’s creator is offering a US$1 million prize for a startup using AI for good

- June 20, 2024 2 MIN READ

This year marks 60 years since a WWII bomber pilot began filming a science fiction series he wrote that would boldly go where TV had not gone before, changing the face of popular culture with Star Trek. Gene Roddenberry died in 1991, but his legacy and imaginings live on through the Roddenberry Foundation, which has… Read more »

Agrifutures female farmer
Funding

Victorian agtech startups score an extra $1 million

- June 8, 2024 < 1 MIN READ

The Victorian government is doubling the size of its early-stage agtech fund to $2 million. The extra $1 million for the Hugh Victor McKay Fund, run by LaunchVic, follows the initial $1 million commitment revealed last year.  The fund offers up to $200,000 to early-stage Victorian agtech startups, so the new funding doubles the potential… Read more »

Agrifutures female farmer
Ag tech

Victoria is offering $50,000 grants to agtech startups

- May 28, 2024 < 1 MIN READ

The Victorian government has put another $1 million on the table as part of a grants program for agtech startups. Agriculture minister Ros Spence said the AgTech Grants program, delivered by the government-backed startup agency LaunchVic, offers $50,000 to startups. The grant provides founders with dedicated mentoring from startup experts to build their businesses and seize… Read more »

quantum chip
Quantum Computing

Feds put $36 million on the table for quantum commercialisation program

- May 22, 2024 2 MIN READ

Applications for a $36 million federal government program enlisting quantum have opened as part of its flagship Future Made in Australia policy. The Critical Technologies Challenge Program (CTCP) offers funding for quantum tech companies to work with researchers and end-users to develop solutions to market-led challenges that accelerate the path to commercialisation for quantum. The funding… Read more »

Space

3 Australian space tech startups land $18 million in government grants for India partnerships

- May 1, 2024 2 MIN READ

Three space tech startups have received $18 million under the International Space Investment India Projects program, funded by the Australian government. Western Australia’s LatConnect60 received close to $5.8 million to develop and build a Low Earth Orbit satellite in Australia to collect information on carbon emissions at a very high resolution. The satellite will be… Read more »

Leanne Linard
Funding

Queensland has opened 2 grant programs for women founders, worth up to $200,000 a pop

- March 14, 2024 2 MIN READ

The Queensland government’s support for women in startups has continued with two grant programs under the $8 million Backing Female Founders initiative currently accepting new applications. The Accelerating Female Founders Program provides grants worth between $50,000 and $200,000 for business support initiatives, such as mentoring and advocacy support and customised business development activities, for female-led… Read more »

Metakosmos
Space

Spacetech startups score $9 million in latest Moon to Mars grants

- March 5, 2024 2 MIN READ

More than $9 million has been awarded to Australian startups focused on space supply chain solutions for NASA’s Artemis program for lunar exploration. The recipients include Victorian startup NextAero, which is developing cryogenic rocket propellants, and South Australia’s Neumann Space, which is focused on electric spacecraft propulsion. The both received $1 million grants from the… Read more »

Politics

The feds are offering grants worth up to $5 million grants to startups

- December 1, 2023 3 MIN READ

The federal government’s flagship $392 million Industry Growth Program has been officially launched, with grants of up to $5 million available for startups and small businesses. The $392.4 million program was unveiled in the May budget, replacing the former Coalition government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme, which was embroiled in controversy due to bungled procurement processes. The aim of the… Read more »

Melanie Greblo
Women in tech

Scriibed founder Melanie Greblo lands NSW government and Paul Ramsay Foundation backing to help women upskill after escaping family violence

- September 13, 2023 2 MIN READ

Sydney startup Scriibed, which offers safe, secure, and flexible digital economy work to women rebuilding their lives following domestic violence, has received backing from the NSW government to help them get into tech. The Paul Ramsay Foundation also co-investing to Scriibed’s not-for-profit arm, Banksia Academy, with $250,000 as part of a payment-by-outcomes contract.  The government… Read more »