Seed-Start Grants Program in Australia

Deadline: Ongoing Opportunity

The Australian Government has announced the applications for Seed-Start Grants Program to provide early-stage startups with matched funding to help them commercialize an innovative product or service.

The Seed-Start program operates through the Government of South Australia’s Research and Innovation Fund (RIF) to provide financial support for early-stage, high-growth potential businesses.

Stages

There are 2 funding options, based on a business’ stage of development:

• Seed grants
  • matched funding of between $50,000 and $100,000 (2:1, $2 government to $1 applicant)
  • for early-stage businesses to undertake a defined project that will overcome the initial challenges in getting their product or service in to national and international markets
  • project must be achievable within a 2-year timeframe, and result in a product or service that is unique or has sustainable competitive advantage.
• Start grants
  • matched funding of between $100,001 and $500,000 (1:1, $1 government to $1 applicant)
  • for early-stage businesses to deliver a defined project that will accelerate the development and commercialisation of their product or service in national and international markets
  • designed to support businesses that are past the early-seed stage with a product or service ready (or close to being ready) for commercialisation
  • project must be achievable within a 3-year timeframe, and result in a product or service that is unique or has sustainable competitive advantage.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible startups are invited to apply for funding through this competitive grant program to assist with the cost of commercialising a product or service that is unique and has a sustainable competitive advantage in national and international markets.
• To be eligible, an applicant must:
  • be a company incorporated in Australia with an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • be a non-tax-exempt business
  • be registered for goods and services tax (GST)
  • have an annual turnover of less than $1 million for each of the 3 financial years prior to the lodgement of their application
  • be based or willing to be based in SA prior to commencing the project.

For more information, visit https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/Research-Commercialisation-and-Startup-Fund-SA