Who Can Apply?

Queensland-based small to medium sized businesses employing less than 200 employees may apply. Businesses must be registered and operating in Queensland, have an ABN and be registered for GST.

Not for profit organisations are eligible to apply for this program as long as they are registered and operating in Queensland, have an ABN and are registered for GST.

Eligible projects and costs:

Funds can be used for the following:

• new product/process development
• new business model development
• new service delivery or customer interface
• new service development
• access to skills and research expertise
• transfer knowledge of a scientific, technical or innovative nature that is new to the enterprise
• costs associated with securing intellectual property rights.

Note: Applicants must either own the Intellectual Property (IP) or have obtained the necessary consents to use the IP in relation to the project. Applicants must also ensure that they are not party to any agreements which conflict with the right to use the IP (e.g. confidentiality agreements)

Ineligible projects/costs

Projects where an applicant has received Queensland Government grant funding in the last two years for the same or similar purpose will not be eligible.

The following costs are ineligible:

• standard training courses
• standard web design or development
• general business, operational or administrative activity (e.g. consumables, telecommunications, hospitality, operational plant equipment, administrative costs) including basic business planning – any internal activity that may have been funded by the business anyway
• design or production of advertising material
• salaries for existing staff.

Note: General business operating costs including salaries are not covered by this program. However, costs of this nature may be considered if it can be clearly demonstrated that they are essential for the implementation of the new idea.

Proposal information

In addition to the application form, you should also submit a proposal outlining further details of your idea. Your proposal may be either: a written document – limit 2000 words or 3 pages; must be compatible with Word 2003 or a 3 minute movie – only MOV, WMV, AVI formats will be accepted.

Please keep it concise and to the point as assessors will be evaluating a large number of applications.

Only two attachments per application will be accepted.

Tips for completing proposals

• Include details of any intellectual property related to your idea such as ownership, patent applications, licences or consents.
• Outline how innovative your idea is – is this a new idea for your business, for your industry? Check to see if someone else has used this idea before and outline what checks you have undertaken. (If a similar idea or product is found in the public domain e.g. on the internet, your idea may not be innovative unless you can demonstrate it is significantly different).
• Outline the potential impact of your idea – the likely financial returns; other benefits and how you have come up with these figures.
• Outline your ability to deliver on this project – your business plan. How you have worked out likely costs and timeframes; the expertise of your firm to complete the project; if you are partnering with any project partners providing outside expertise; similar projects of this size that you have implemented in the past.
• Include a timeline showing how you will implement the idea over a 12 month period.
• You should also address your financial capacity to complete the project successfully.
• You may be requested to provide additional financial or promotional information during the assessment process.

Assessment criteria

Projects will be judged by a panel of industry experts. The Judges will base their decision on:

• the impact of the proposal e.g. financial, employment, spill over benefits
• the capacity of the business to manage the implementation of the new idea
• how innovative the idea is – whether the idea is cutting edge, new to the world, new to the industry or new to the business.

How to apply

• Eligible small to medium sized businesses in Queensland should submit a proposal addressing the assessment criteria.
• The proposal supporting your application should be submitted as an attachment to your online application form.
• No more than two attachments will be accepted per application.
• Proposals may be in writing (limit 2000 words or 3 pages; must be compatible with Word 2003) or via 3 minute movie (only MOV, WMV, AVI formats will be accepted).
• Please ensure all information in your application and proposal is correct before submitting as no changes or additions may be made once submitted.
• Be sure to keep a copy of your application, as submitted applications can not be returned and must be kept by the Department for up to seven years.
• Please also refer to the FAQ for further information about completing applications.

• Include details of any intellectual property related to your idea such as ownership, patent applications, licences or consents.
• Outline how innovative your idea is – is this a new idea for your business, for your industry? Check to see if someone else has used this idea before and outline what checks you have undertaken. (If a similar idea or product is found in the public domain e.g. on the internet, your idea may not be innovative unless you can demonstrate it is significantly different).
• Outline the potential impact of your idea – the likely financial returns; other benefits and how you have come up with these figures.
• Outline your ability to deliver on this project – your business plan. How you have worked out likely costs and timeframes; the expertise of your firm to complete the project; if you are partnering with any project partners providing outside expertise; similar projects of this size that you have implemented in the past.
• Include a timeline showing how you will implement the idea over a 12 month period.
• You should also address your financial capacity to complete the project successfully.
• You may be requested to provide additional financial or promotional information during the assessment process.

Development of an Underground Emergency Mine Rescue Beacon

Blast Movement Technologies – DARRA – www.bmt.com.au

The goal of our new idea is to directly improve the human aspects of mining by increasing the likelihood of being rescued in the unfortunate event of an underground mining accident – such as the recent Pike River disaster and earlier collapse at the San José Mine in Chile.

Coral Sunscreen Project

Coral Sunscreens Pty Ltd – AITKENVALE – www.larissabright.com.au

In 2008, we started investigating the potential for an innovative new sunscreen agent for our Larissa Bright Australia natural skincare range. We were looking for a compound that is organic, inspired by nature and safe to use. Through extensive research, we discovered a UV light absorbing compound derived from the North Queensland region that offers superior features, compared to currently available sunscreens that utilise metals (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) in combination with nanotechnology.

Bush Fire Resistant Transportable Buildings

Cox Architects Pty Ltd – WINDSOR – www.coxarchitects.com.au

To achieve a design criteria solution that opens the way to improving the quality of transportable buildings and expands the locations where they can be built safely.  Transportable buildings need not be temporary.  They could provide permanent solutions to remote areas as well as providing solutions to mining, rural and even urban communities.

The Cullector

Cullin Innovation Pty Ltd – CLIFTON BEACH – www.cullector.com

There are 20 million showers taken each day in Australia alone. If every shower had a Cullector™ fitted we would save in excess of 200 megalitres of fresh drinking water per day or 73 gigalitres per annum. This saving also eliminates the need to treat the same volume as grey water and is additional to any savings made by flow restricting showerheads.

Polepower

Energy Innovations Pty Ltd – CAIRNS – www.polepower.biz

Polepower is a world-first application of solar technology which turns ubiquitous power poles into micro power stations. By feeding electricity into the network at every pole, a large amount of clean, green electricity can be generated without having to access large amounts of real estate or roof space on buildings.

Social Commerce Platform

Follow Lucid Media – NEW FARM – www.followonline.com.au

This platform will not only allow for the monetisation of businesses’ online followings but will also deliver a true conversation between customers, industry and opinion leaders. It’s not simply about discounting product – it is about delivering the experiences people want to see created.

Flavoursome High Density Nutrition (HDN) Foods for Consumers with Dysphagia

Food Spectrum Pty Ltd – NATHAN – www.foodspec.com.au

The company chairman and founder – Peter Lancaster saw a unique opportunity to provide a range of functional ingredients to major brand owners. The company is built on technology, innovation and service. To provide a high density nutrition product to support the specific target market i.e. children with cerebral palsy and dysphasia sufferers.

World first application for sonic / utrasonic cutting to peeling and slicing tropical fruit (Banana)

Foodstream Pty Ltd – CLEVELAND – www.foodstream.com.au

The idea is the development of a combination mechanical peeler and slicer of bananas. The cutting edge innovation is in combining and integrating a low cost bench mounted skinning machine with slicing.

Production of Retail World

International Education Services – SPRING HILL – www.foundationyear.com

The organisation is founded on the three pillars of excellence, growth and innovation. The organisation seeks to be the global leader in the delivery of quality educational services that grow people to their maximum potential through innovative learning strategies. The development of the innovative virtual learning business simulation, ‘Business Island’ and its hybrid ‘Retail World’ are a natural extension of this vision.

MainRobin’s Mobile Ticketing Application

MainRobin Pty Ltd – WYNNUM – www.mainrobin.com

Well designed intelligent transport systems that exploit the latest information technology have the potential to vastly improve the customer experience for public transport users. We enjoy being involved and applying our software engineering and system integration experience to make a difference to the public transport experience.

Citric Acid Cleaning

Mastercut Technologies Pty Ltd – BURLEIGH – www.mastercut.com.au

The Mastercut idea creates:

• a better environment for employees, as their exposure to chemicals and their fumes is reduced
• a much greener process using naturally biodegradable citric acid, which is able to be released directly into our waste treatment, and therefore the town sewer system.

This dramatically reduces any potential harm to the environment.

Syringe Needle (Sharps) Extraction Magnet

Metcalfe Group Pty Ltd – DARRA – www.metcalfe.com.au

This idea could dramatically decrease the occurrence of needlestick injuries all over the world.

Quad Deck Dual Windrow

Midwest Fabrication Pty.Ltd. – DALBY – www.midwest.net.au

Our big idea is a world first quad-deck windrow platform. The platform is versatile and can be attached to most current windrow machines and has the ability to mount on the front of tractors and combine harvesters. Our dual windrow quad deck prototype is currently been tested in field. This idea will help create more efficiency in our highly vital agriculture sector. It will see Queensland at the forefront of this industry. It has environmental benefits, and if commercial production proceeds, it will see more jobs created in regional Queensland.

GrindSMART

Minerality Pty Ltd – NEW FARM – www.minerality.com.au

We are very excited about introducing the GrindSMART software package to the mining industry. It will solve many challenges that mines face daily on their processing plants – boosting throughput, increasing efficiency, and slashing energy consumption. The program can even be used to reduce equipment wear and fatigue. We have already received advance orders. GrindSMART can evolve into other areas in mining as well, beyond grinding applications.

NeoRehab

Neo-Rehab Pty Ltd – ST LUCIA – www.neorehab.com

NeoRehab is specifically targeted towards the rehabilitation professions such as physiotherapy, speech pathology, occupational therapy and audiology. The Neo-rehab solution has undergone extensive clinical testing and has been shown to be as effective as face-to-face consultations. It is currently being used by Queensland Health and other not-for-profit organisations. In addition to making health services available to more people in more locations, telehealth systems also reduce the cost to the health system by minimising the amount of travelling required to access the necessary services. This leads to a better quality of health care for patients and significant economic benefits for the health system.

Fibreglass Application for Eco Splash System

Placid Pools Pty Ltd – SMITHFIELD – www.placidpools.com.au

The ESS is based on conservation of water, reduction/elimination of chemicals to sanitise pool water, aqua culture and on optimum solutions for pool/pond pump efficiencies. The EcoSplash™ System is a high tech, yet natural water purification system that consistently maintains chemical free pools and provides pool water sanitisation in our harsh tropical climate. Our idea will focus on developing further ways to facilitate further cost, water and energy savings of the ESS through a commercial fibreglass application.

Polynex Solar Store

Polynex Pty Ltd – CLONTARF – www.polyworld.com.au

The business commenced on a small scale after identifying a need for an alternative rainwater tank to the traditional iron ones. We developed our own rotational moulding plant and designed and tested all our products in house. The Polynex Solar Store is a low cost modular design which can be scaled according to the particular industry application. For industries using hot water, the Polynex Solar Store will reduce energy consumption, resulting in major cost savings and provide a boost to industry competitiveness.

ROWEX – Performance Rowing Accessory

Prodex Systems Pty Ltd – PADDINGTON – www.prodex.com.au

Rowex – Performance Rowing System.

Finger Lime Pearls

Sunfresh Marketing Co-op Limited – PALMWOODS – www.sunfresh.com.au

Sunfresh have received a request from overseas markets for supply of this unique finger lime product in a dried format. The result is a product than can be stored at room temperature for years without spoilage, or packed in limited storage spaces and reconstituted with water later. A freeze dried product is ideal for export as it negates the use of cold chain distribution and negates import protocols for some countries that prevent fresh imports.

Davidson-Hill Venturi Water Turbine

Tidal Energy Pty Ltd – PALM BEACH – www.tidalenergy.com.au

Tidal Energy has developed a world leading hydro kinetic water turbine capable of producing electrical power from water currents in oceans, tides and rivers.

Vehicle Fire Protective Cover

Walfam Solutions – BELLBIRD PARK

The ‘Vehicle Fire Protective Cover’, when deployed on vehicles, will provide significant protection from radiant heat, the biggest killer during bush fires, and is consistent with the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission’s report, which states in part, “Many people sheltered in their cars, and many cars survived the fire with little damage while their owners died inside a house or elsewhere“.

Reducing Healthcare’s Billion Dollar Burden

Zychem Technologies Pty Ltd – UPPER COOMERA – www.zychem.net

We are intent on developing new delivery systems for chlorine dioxide to lower hospital acquired infections. We believe this to be the foundation of an international healthcare business based in Queensland.