Grants really help small/medium enterprises

Next Generation Manufacturing Investment Program

The Federal government has released a special grant for businesses located in Victoria and South Australia, to help them with the challenges of the phasing out of the motor vehicle industry – “Next Generation Manufacturing Investment Program”.

The grant ranges from $500,000 to $2.5M, with funding support of 33.1/3%.

The program supports the acceleration of private sector investment in areas of high-value manufacturing and assists firms develop scale and capability to be competitive in new or growing markets.

The grant will include support for small and medium sized firms that have the demonstrated capability to access and capture market opportunities.  The grant will support capital projects of up to 3 years in duration.

The current funding round closes on Monday 18^th April 2016.

If you would like to receive a complimentary copy of our paper relative to this grant, please click here.

 

Business Growth Grant – changes in definitions

AusIndustry has announced a change in the definition of “enabling technologies” for the Business Growth Grant.

“Enabling technologies” are eligible for consideration for the Business Growth Grant, which is up to $20,000 on a 50% funding basis, to undertake activities that will improve the business’ performance.

Enabling technology businesses support the government’s 5 growth sectors of:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Food and Agribusiness
• Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals
• Mining Equipment Technology and Services
• Oil, Gas and Energy Resources

The enabling technologies are businesses that perform work for any of the named growth sectors.  The enabling technology industries are:

• Freight and Logistics
• Infrastructure Related Construction and Services
• Information and Communication Technologies
• Digital Technology
• Professional Services – primarily Scientific

The new definition is outside of these key enabling technologies and sectors.  This definition includes “other businesses that enable or support one of the 5 growth sectors through a direct commercial relationship, but excludes routine business operational activities such as legal advice, financial accounting/bookkeeping services, catering and insurance.”

This change in the definition is obviously broadening the eligibility capabilities.  Whilst the number of industries identified appear small, approximately 600 different types of businesses are potentially eligible for a Business Growth Grant.

The definition of “Northern Australia” in the Business Growth Grant has also been changed.

The definition of “Northern Australia” is now as follows: it encompasses all of the Northern Territory and the area in Queensland and Western Australia, North of the Tropic of Capricorn.

Additional funding is now available for eligible companies in Northern Australia, with that funding being provided by the Northern Australia Development Fund.

 

Feature Grant – Research Connections

The focus of Research Connections is to help small/medium enterprises to collaborate with the research sector, to develop new ideas with commercial potential, as well as to help identify any knowledge gaps that are preventing business growth.

The program can make a facilitator available to work for a period of time with the small/medium enterprise, to clarify their research projects.

Research Connections can supply the following:

• Match grant of up to $50,000, to assist a small/medium enterprise to engage a publicly-funded research organisation, to undertake research activity.
• The placement of the researcher into a small/medium enterprise, to develop and implement a new idea with commercial potential.
• Access to research infrastructure and/or access to other forms of research tools and expertise based on the research needs of the small/medium enterprise.

 

You’re invited to sign up for a no-obligation, 14-day trial of ESS BIZGRANTS, whereby you will be given the opportunity to test the system.  Visit www.essbizgrants.com.au to get started.