Melbourne Uni Entrepreneurship Challenge 2010 – Business Plan Competition
Feb 9th
Melbourne University Entrepreneurship Challenge (MUEC) 2010 begins its 11th year of competition. During the intensive 12-week MUEC competition, teams have the opportunity to work with a mentor and put their business plans under the microscope of experienced entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and academics.
The competition peaks at the Grand Pitch as teams present their business to a panel of experts. This years competition registrations close by 1st March 2010.
Research & Development Tax Concession (and 125% Tax Offset)
Feb 7th
Under the R&D Tax Offset program the Government recognises the importance of providing innovative an opportunity to increase their cash flow when they most need it during their initial growth phase, particularly those in tax loss who cannot gain immediate benefit from the R&D tax concession.
Companies must register their R&D plan annually for approval before completing the tax forms. Applications must be lodged within 10 months of the end of the company’s income year. For most companies with a 30 Jun 2009 Tax year the deadline is 30th April 2010.
Victorian Electric Vehicle Trial $5m – inviting participants
Feb 3rd
A comprehensive five-year trial of electric vehicles has now commenced with a call for interested car manufacturers, electricity suppliers and others to participate. Applications close on 26 March 2010. The trial will run for five years and help Victoria to better understand the process, timelines and barriers for transitioning to electric vehicle technologies. The trials will collect real-world information on the use of electric vehicles in Victorian conditions, including information on:
the market for electric vehicles, both initially and as it matures;
impacts of the use of electric vehicles on driver behaviour, recharging, vehicle performance and efficiency; and
the potential implications of electric vehicles for electricity consumption, management of electricity demand, greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutant emissions.
Round 2 of the South Australian building innovation fund is now open
Jan 28th
The $2 million Building Innovation Fund aims to establish South Australia as the nation’s leader in demonstrating innovative ways to reduce the carbon footprint of existing commercial office buildings.
The Building Innovation Fund offers grants to owners of office buildings for initiatives that demonstrate new and leading edge approaches to retrofitting existing buildings and which significantly reduce building energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The Fund supports the sector agreement between the South Australian Government and the Property Council of Australia (South Australian Division) made under South Australia’s climate change legislation.
Strategic Waste Initiatives Scheme (SWIS) – Western Australia
Jan 17th
Strategic Waste Initiatives Scheme (SWIS) Funding will be provided for initiatives which are consistent with the Waste Authority’s ‘Priority Areas for Funding’ and the Statement of Strategic Direction for Waste Management in Western Australia.
Victorian Regional Technology Commercialisation Program II now taking applications
Jan 14th
Victorian business can link into a new program for commercialising new and innovative technologies called Regional Technology Commercialisation Program II. This follows the prevous program, VicStart Regional Technology Commercialisation Program (RTCP), that started in September 2005 and delivered services to over 200 business over 4 years. The RTCP II is funded by the Victorian Government under More >
Commercialisation Australia Grants Open Jan 2010
Dec 20th
Commercialisation Australia grants are now open as of January 2010. The initiative aims to build the capacity of Australia’s talented researchers, entrepreneurs and innovative companies to turn their ideas into successful commercial ventures. It achieves this through offering a range of tailored assistance measures and guiding successful applicants through the commercialisation process.
Commercialisation Australia offers:
1. Skills and Knowledge support to help build the skills, knowledge and connections required to commercialise new ideas.
Up to $50,000 to pay for specialist advice and services
Up to $200,000 over two years to assist with the recruitment of experienced executives
2. Proof of Concept grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to test the commercial viability of a product, process or service
3. Early Stage Commercialisation repayable grants of $250,000 to $2 million to undertake activities that develop a new product, process or service to the stage where it can be taken to market.
Solar Flagships Program
Dec 20th
The $1.5 billion Solar Flagships Program was opened on 11 December 2009 and selection is to occur over two selection rounds. This funding will be used to support the construction and demonstration of up to four large-scale solar power stations in Australia, using solar thermal and photovoltaic (PV) technologies.
The first selection round (Round 1) will be held in 2010 and is to select one solar thermal and one photovoltaic project, with a target of 400 MW of combined generation capacity across both projects. The Solar Flagships Program second selection round (Round 2) is planned to be held in 2013-14, following a review of the outcome of Round 1.
Innovative Clinical Teaching and Training Grants up to $5m available
Dec 17th
The Department of Health and Ageing is calling for applications for funding under the Innovative Clinical Teaching and Training Grants (ICCTG).
$90 million is available over four (4) years (2009-10 to 2012-13) for infrastructure projects that support innovative clinical teaching and training initiatives. Applications are sought from public and private organisations which can demonstrate increased capacity More >
Retooling for climate change now an ongoing application process
Dec 11th
Applications for RCC (Retooling for Climate Change Grant) may now be submitted at any time and will be assessed on a regular basis by Innovation Australia. Previously this was only on a round by round basis.
An applicant may commence work on their project once AusIndustry has reviewed its application and confirmed that it is complete More >