$1.84 million grants help Wide Bay businesses bring new products to market

29/06/2017

$1.84 million grants help Wide Bay businesses bring new products to market

Three Wide Bay businesses have been offered a $1.84 million kickstart from the Australian Government to help them expand into new markets.

Alkira Software, Thedocyard, and Australian ecoMarine Holdings are three of 24 Australian businesses that will benefit from $11.2 million in commercialisation grants offered under the Australian Government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme, with each business matching the grant dollar-for-dollar.

These businesses have all developed innovative new products, processes and services for a range of industries but need financial support and expert advice to bring these bright ideas to market.

Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien welcomed the funding offered for the following projects:

• $383,000 to Alkira Software Pty Ltd, Doonan: Towards Web 4.0 access to web-technology for blind and vision-impaired people.
• $500,000 to Thedocyard Pty Ltd, Peregian Beach: Cloud based deal management platform for managing corporate transactions.
• $965,644 to Australian ecoMarine Holdings Pty Ltd, Noosa: Australian Ecomarine – addressing food security by providing sustainable aquaculture solutions.

“The grants allow these businesses to develop new projects, and showcase the talent and innovation on offer in the Wide Bay,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Innovation is key to the Coalition Government’s plan to grow the Australian economy, and it is essential to grow the Wide Bay economy too.

“I’m very pleased these three businesses have been successful in receiving the grants to assist them through the challenging stage of product development.

“Successful businesses create jobs and these grants will help these businesses to expand into new markets to grow more local jobs.”

Industry, Innovation and Science Minister Arthur Sinodinos said innovation was vital to improving people’s lives by creating new businesses and helping existing businesses grow.

“Ultimately our policies are focused on helping Australians to put more money in their back pocket, through the creation of new jobs and better jobs,” Senator Sinodinos said.  

The Entrepreneurs’ Programme’s Accelerating Commercialisation element offers support for entrepreneurs, researchers and businesses to address key challenges on the pathway to commercialisation.

To date, 234 Australian businesses have benefited from over $117.1 million in Australian Government funding, as well as support from experienced advisers, to help commercialise new products, processes and services.

For more information on how to apply for Entrepreneurs’ Programme commercialisation grant go to business.gov.au/ep

Further information on the grants recipients can be found at business.gov.au/ac-grant-recipients