The Innovation Pathways Program has been developed by Industry and Investment NSW and the Australian Technology Showcase (NSW) to assist innovative technology organisations (including researchers, start-ups and established SMEs) to accelerate the commercialisation of their technology. Subject to satisfying eligibility requirements, a government grant of up to $25,000 may be available to individual organisations.
How it works
The Innovation Pathways Program targets organisations with a maximum turnover of $15M and with innovative technologies supported by intellectual property. The first stage of the Innovation Pathways Program focuses on building commercialisation and export skills and knowledge in a group learning environment, through a one day diagnostic followed by an 8-10 week program of workshops and mentoring. Eligible organisations may include researchers, start-ups and established SMEs.
Following a panel review, the subsequent stage of the Innovation Pathways Program will provide government grant assistance up to $25,000, (up to $35,000 for ATS members) to individual organisations, and will be available on a merit basis, where the organisation is able to identify a clear growth pathway with achievable outcomes within 12 months. Government grant assistance may include capital raising, export market planning or development of a technology demonstration site.
Outcomes to be considered will include growth in jobs and export sales, and accessing investment or competitive government grants. In exceptional circumstances, or when more than one organisation is collaborating to generate outcomes, up to $50,000 may be available.
Within the group diagnostics and workshops stage, there are 2 streams:
- Stream 1: Commercial – Organisations with innovative technology and intellectual property. This stream includes researchers and start-ups, and does not require participants to be incorporated.
- Stream 2: Export – Established businesses with innovative technology, IP, a reference site and export potential.
The following diagram illustrates the Innovation Pathways Program:
How to get involved
The Innovation Pathways Program will be managed by the ATS unit in Industry & Investment NSW. Organisations interested in accessing the Innovation Pathways Program should submit a completed Assistance Application Form and email to atseoi@business.nsw.gov.au.
This Application Form will assist in an assessment of the organisation’s Innovation Pathways Program eligibility, and the program streams and elements most appropriate to the organisation’s technology and commercialisation stage.
Organisations will be contacted within ten days of receipt of the Innovation Pathways Program Application Form and advised of the next steps. If the organisation is ineligible for support under the Innovation Pathways Program alternative development options will be identified.