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The InnovationConnect (ICon) grant program is an ACT Government initiative designed to assist Canberra-based businesses develop innovative products or services.

The program's objective is to accelerate the formation of investment ready companies and entities. The program has been designed to assist companies that need relatively early stage support in taking an innovative product or service to investment readiness or commercialisation.

Note that this is an ACT Government program and funding support is only available to ACT-based businesses.

The investment ready or commercialisation pathway can be loosely broken up into three stages:

  • Pre Start-Up;
  • Start-Up; and
  • Growth.

ICon has two main funding components that cover these stages:

  • Proof of Technology (Pre Start-Up Stage); and
  • Accelerating Innovation (Start-Up and Growth).

Proof of Technology Grants

Proof of Technology Grants support the development of:

  • prototypes that prove a concept; or
  • a technology plan or business case study that demonstrates whether a concept is commercially viable.

Proof of Technology Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000. No applicant may apply for more than $50,000 within a 12-month period.

Accelerating Innovation Grants

Accelerating Innovation Grants will support start-up and growth companies with a viable, proven concept or service with funding that will enable:

  • participation in formalised commercialisation training;
  • IP strategies and advice;
  • establishment of advanced business processes;
  • market testing;
  • mentoring; and
  • projects that link the technology and creative industry sectors.

Accelerating Innovation Grants will range from $5,000 to $10,000 and will only be granted on a dollar-for-dollar basis based on reimbursement.

Current funding round

The current funding round will close to applications at 5pm Friday 24 February 2012.

Please note, the closing date refers to submission of a complete, formal application. An EOI must be submitted well in advance of this date to allow consultation with a Client Manager prior to submission of the formal application.

The Assessment Panel Consideration for the current round will take place in early March 2012.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Guidelines for Applying

Expression of Interest (EOI) Form

If you are interested in applying for an ICon grant, in either Proof of Technology or Accelerating Innovation, please download and complete the current 2012 EOI form and return it via email or post to Business Development. Upon receipt of your completed EOI an ICon Client Manager will make contact with you to discuss your application and determine if it is suitable to progress to a formal application.

Email address for submitting EOIs:

Postal address for submitting EOIs:

  • InnovationConnect
    c/o Business Development
    ACT Government
    GPO Box 158
    Canberra ACT 2601

ICon Grant Recipients

For a complete list of recipients of ICon funding support, please open the files below.

Further Information

For further information or assistance contact one of the following Business Development Client Managers:

OR

For business advice and support or to speak to a business advisor, contact the ACT Government's business support and advisory service: