The Canberra Innovation Network, in partnership with the ACT Government, has opened applications for this year’s Innovation Connect program which provides early-stage businesses the opportunity to receive matched funding between $10,000-$30,000 to support the market testing, prototyping, patenting and commercial feasibility of their ideas.
The announcement comes shortly after the Canberra Innovation Network awarded nine Canberra businesses who were part of its October 2023 cohort with matched grant funds of up to $30,000 to make their ideas become a reality. According to the network, all of the funded projects highlight the “creativity and innovation of Canberrans looking for inspired solutions to everyday challenges”.
The October 2023 recipients were:
- Dragonfly Thinking: offers innovative AI-driven visual tools and techniques, enabling a more flexible and agile approach to complex problem analysis and intervention.
- Endless Australia: creates premium, eco-friendly skateboard decks using 100 per cent recycled and recyclable plastic bottle lids.
- HOSKING Bikes: provides affordable and customizable bike options while advocating for inclusivity and greater representation of women in the cycling industry.
- Mobile shower commodes: offers a range of accessible commodes designed to prevent falls and enable safe showering for people with disabilities and the elderly.
- SocialProtect: a platform that automatically removes abusive comments from users’ social media posts, providing real-time protection against online abuse for individuals and organizations while advocating mental wellbeing.
- TaperMate: a mobile app that helps users safely taper off medications that cause withdrawal symptoms by providing evidence-based information, customizable tapering plans, symptom tracking, and access to expert advice and peer support.
- Traceably: enables digital teams to seamlessly collaborate and design human-centric digital solutions and services.
- Waste Check Systems: an innovative IoT bulk bin weighing system for the commercial and industrial property sector, providing real-time waste weight data to enhance sustainability tracking and reduce excess waste charges.
- Yarn: a digital health platform that addresses long speech pathology wait times, offering fun, evidence-based programs for children with speech and language difficulties, and empowering parents to take action.
“The Innovation Connect grants program plays an important role in bringing to life some of Canberra’s brightest ideas,” ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr stated. “Integral to our innovation ecosystem, ICON continues to help shape the future of innovation in the city. I look forward to seeing more incredible and innovative businesses emerge this year as a result of the Innovation Connect grants program.”
Sharyn Smith, COO of the Canberra Innovation Network, said that the Canberra community can be very proud of the incredible innovations that continue to be developed by the clever minds of the city.
“The Innovation Connect grant provides an important boost for the recipients to progress the development of their product or service to the next stage,” Smith said. “We can all look forward to seeing the great things that await them.”
The Canberra Innovation Network looks to empower entrepreneurs and businesses so they can build on Canberra’s research and innovation advancements to create social and economic benefits for all citizens. More than 10,000 visitors engage with the network every year through events, programs, and innovation-focused educational courses the network supports and runs.
