funding success stories 

Announced this month, outerspace clients across Australia have been successful in receiving research and development funding from the $30m Commercialisation Fund included in the 2020 Federal Budget.

Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre Ltd (AMGC) awarded grants to our ASX listed, SME and startup clients in WA, SA, NSW and Victoria. The recipients are spread across four of the six National Manufacturing Priorities of Medical Products, Food & Beverage, Resource Technology & Critical Minerals Processing, Recycling & Clean Energy, Defence and Space.

ZellaDC (SME, Resources Technology & Critical Minerals Processing) based in Western Australia will progress with $406,550 for the development of a next-generation micro data centre, using new lightweight, fire retardant materials to deliver more effective edge-based computing onsite in mining and critical minerals processing locations. The program will also replace currently imported micro data centres into Australia. (main image – Zella DC’s CEO, Angie Keeler with their current product)

Additive Assurance (VC-backed startup, Defence) in Victoria has received $546,000 to design a quality assurance system for powder bed fusion additive manufacturing. Their system uses long exposure imaging to identify defects during the 3D printing process, ensuring products meet regulatory standards while reducing waste of raw materials.

Micro-X (ASX-listed, Medical Products) from South Australia has been awarded $575,620 to help launch its ultralight mobile and digital x-ray imaging technology system into the Australian veterinarian industry. The funds will enable further development and expansion of this product. The x-ray trolley system is designed for use in outdoor clinical or veterinary settings. The next stage of the Micro-X project will focus on the investigation of human imaging capability.

Empower Energy (SME, Clean Energy) in NSW received $487,500 to deliver Australia’s first cost-effective solar-storage product designed for the Australian climate, remoteness, bushfire risk, and coastal living conditions.

carbonTRACK (SME, Clean Energy) from Victoria was awarded $428,500 for the development and commercialisation of a mass market Smart Gateway (cellular and Wi-Fi device) to monitor and control renewable energy assets and electronic devices. carbonTRACK’s product maximises energy efficiency while minimising costs and CO₂ emissions and supports virtual power plants, virtual energy networks and energy trading.

background to Federal Government’s Commercialisation Fund

The Australian government is supporting Australian manufacturers with $7.1 million in funding to help them commercialise innovative products and take them to the world.

Under tranches two and three of the government’s $30 million Commercialisation Fund, 15 ground-breaking projects have received backing, including a brain injury assessment device, portable x-ray imaging technology and a handheld on-farm analysis tool to check the nutritional values of produce.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter said the Commercialisation Fund supports Australian manufacturers to take their valuable innovations through the commercialisation phase and unlock new economic opportunities both at home and abroad.

“These grants will enable companies to undertake further research and development activities, improve engineering and design elements and invest in new technologies so they can scale up operations and bring their products to market,” Minister Porter said.

“By providing the right economic conditions for manufacturers to secure further investment opportunities and realise their potential, the government is also building Australia’s global competitiveness and creating new local jobs.”

This funding supports projects within the government’s six national manufacturing priorities – medical products, food and beverage, resources technology and critical minerals processing, recycling and clean energy, defence and space.

Grants are between $100,000 and $1 million, with funding making up no more than fifty percent of total project costs. The fund is administered by the AMGC, in collaboration with six Industry Growth Centres: AustCyber, Food Innovation Australia Ltd (FIAL), MTPConnect, METS Ignited, National Energy Resources Australia (NERA) and CSIRO.

keeping up-to-date with future funding availability 

Funding questions are often raised in discussions with our clients. We help them to clarify how their research and development qualifies for a certain level of grant and financing applicability. We have years of experience in assisting clients to achieve grant support across many industry sectors Australia-wide.

To achieve this, outerspace engages closely with the government and financial services industry to understand what opportunities are in demand. We keep abreast of any available grants by reviewing State and Federal budgets and by being closely linked to other service providers in the R&D space.

In this most recent release of grant funding, AMGC grant applications were open to all manufacturers in targeted sectors as outlined in the 2020 Federal Budget. In this circumstance, we introduced our clients to the AMGC grant program, set-up initial meetings for their projects and worked closely to write and ensure that the grant applications were sound.

Talk to us about your product development requirements. Find out how we can assist you with funding and product development success.

authors

Founder and Managing Director
Director - Design and Mechanical Engineering
Director - Transportation Design
Senior Firmware Engineer
Electronics Design Manager
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
Industrial Designer
Mechanical Design Manager
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
Client Engagement Manager

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