A total of $238,000 in grant funding has today been awarded to seven local innovative businesses to help their visions become reality in the latest round of Innovation Connect.

Since the Innovation Connect (ICON) grant program began in 2008, more than 300 companies have been supported with matched funds of up to $30,000 per grant.   

Just a few of the latest round of funded projects include a transportable fully automatic composting machine, oat milk ice cream, real time notifications of construction safety risks, and AI that helps shoppers find their best colour.

All of the funded projects highlight the creativity and innovation of Canberrans looking for inspired solutions to everyday challenges.  

In partnership with the ACT government, the Canberra Innovation Network provides ICON grants to early-stage innovators to support the market testing, prototyping, patenting and commercial feasibility of the recipient’s concept. 

“The ACT government is committed to supporting local innovators and entrepreneurs,” says Chief Minister Andrew Barr. The 2023-24 budget has committed to continue funding the Innovation Connect program for the next two years.

“We are proud to partner with the Canberra Innovation Network to help the recipients of these grants grow their businesses.”

Dr Stephen Trowell, Founder and Managing Partner of PPB Technology, and grant recipient (November 2018) spoke on the impact of receiving an ICON grant.

With the support of ICON funding, Dr Trowell developed a test that provides sensitive, accurate trace lactose within minutes.

“At a very early stage, the ICON grant was pivotal in helping us establish and grow. We have now raised over a million dollars and are well on our way to growth and success,” he said.

“Receiving the ICON grant now would make little difference to us but at the time we received it, the cash and validation it provided are what helped us survive.”   

More than 10,000 visitors engage with the Canberra Innovation Network every year through events, programs, and innovation-focused educational courses the network supports and runs. 

“Over the years we have seen exciting growth in the depth and diversity of innovations that Canberra entrepreneurs put forward to be co-funded by the Innovation Connect Grants,” said Canberra Innovation Network CEO, Petr Adámek.

“These projects may not yet be ready for investors or demanding customers. And that is where the grant plays a critical role of a catalyst in the growth of future innovation-driven companies.” 

The April 2023 Innovation Connect Grant Recipients:  

• Archetype – Developing interactive and immersive VR training solutions.  
• Berrijam – Helping businesses harness the power of AI for insights and predictions through an no-code AI platform.  
• Decision Revolution – An online diagnostic, training, and coaching platform for personal and professional decision making.  
• Future Swirl – Developing great tasting take-home tubs of oat milk ice cream without the fillers or additives.  
• Haast – Self-service platform to enable organisations to manage their digital brand and legal compliance footprint. 
• HŪM Bio-Reclamation – Transportable, ‘smart’, safe, odourless, and fully automatic composting machine.  
• Sight Data – Computer vision and machine learning system for construction sites with real time notifications of risks assist in managing safety.  
• Your Season – Online platform using AI to help shoppers find clothing that matches their seasonal colour.  

The next round of the Innovation Connect Grants opens for applications today, 5 July 2023.  

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