Description and Objectives of the Government Grant

Industries for Today and Tomorrow is a new government grant that will contribute to economic development in regional Victoria by supporting the development of regionally-based business with high growth potential and encouraging new industry investment in regional Victoria.

The government grant will primarily target medium to large businesses that make a significant contribution to regional economic output, building on regional strengths and comparative advantage.

Industries for Today and Tomorrow will deliver flexible, specialised and tailored assistance to businesses seeking to expand their existing regional operations or establish a new presence in a regional location, creating new jobs and investment in regional Victoria. The government grant will support activities that enable business growth, including investment facilitation, skills development, innovation and export development.

Who Can Apply

Industries for Today and Tomorrow will be delivered to individual businesses identified as having strong growth or investment potential, the realisation of which requires demonstrable assistance by Government. Groups of companies and other organisations such as industry associations, education and research institutions are also eligible to apply provided the basis of their application is the development and growth of regional businesses.

Funding

Industries for Today and Tomorrow will be delivered on a flexible basis having regard for the growth opportunities identified by individual businesses. It is envisaged that businesses will generally be assisted through a mix of financial and non-financial support (e.g. strategic advice, advocacy, facilitation services etc).
Funding of eligible activities will vary depending on their scope and scale and will take into account calculations of projected jobs, investment and exports and overall strategic significance of the project. All businesses and organisations applying for this program will be expected to financially contribute towards the project.

Funding and Eligible Activities

Before an application is formally assessed by RDV, the financial viability of an applicant for funding and their ability to manage and complete the project will be assessed. Government bodies, statutory authorities and publicly funded education institutions are exempt from this step.

Activities that would generally receive a government grant  is based on the development of a strong and strategic understanding between RDV and individual companies of the companies’ growth plans and potential.

Business Growth

The government grant will support the expansion and diversification of regional businesses and industries through investment in new plant, equipment and technology and through the adoption of new innovative operations and strategies. It will generally support:

• investment in research or engagement of specialist expertise that enables adoption of best practice or to improve productivity;
• investment in expansion of facilities or in specialised new product and technology equipment that is directly related to the achievement of an identified business growth opportunity;
• leveraging of Commonwealth assistance to realise innovation opportunities;
• testing and developing innovation opportunities in products, processes, services and markets;
• targeted investment assistance for new companies seeking to establish in regional Victoria through job creation and capital investment ; and
• exploring investment feasibility and development options.

Market Development

The government grant will support the growth of regional businesses by boosting domestic and export market capability and to take advantage of new and expanded market opportunities. It will generally support:

• targeted marketing and educational activity to build Victoria’s profile as well as building business capability to
  achieve this;
• expanding existing markets with demonstrated potential through research and in-market activity such as trade
  missions and inward buyer missions; and
• testing and developing new or emerging market opportunities through research and in-market activity
  such as trade missions and inward buyer missions.

Regional Industry Skills

The government grant will support the development of pre-identified skill requirements in individual businesses and industries  where they are required to realise identified investment or  significant economic growth opportunities. It will generally support:

• training existing staff in a business workforce to address a pre-identified skills gap that will assist in realising a
  specific growth opportunity;
• training for new staff being employed by a businesses to realise a new growth opportunity;
• skill sharing between employees within a business or across clusters of businesses; and
• targeted recruitment attraction and relocation of qualified staff where skills are directly relevant to realising a
  specific growth opportunity and are not available locally

Activities that would not generally be funded

Business Growth

It will generally not support:

• prototyping;
• offsetting costs associated with various forms of accreditation;
• purchase of capital equipment unless directly linked to specialised new product and technology equipment that is directly related to the achievement of an identified business growth opportunity or the development of new strategic capabilities;
• industry events and workshops; and
• provision of infrastructure that is of general industry use (e.g. natural gas extensions, industrial estates etc).

Market Development

It will generally not support:

• tourism focused activity such as food and wine festivals and similar events for the general public; and
• marketing and promotional costs for an individual business.

Regional Industry Skills

It will generally not support:

• general and ongoing training that is delivered through normal education and training channels and which is not specific to the growth opportunity identified (i.e. activities that would be supported through other initiatives such as Skills for Growth);
• development of training plans; and
• relocation of employees and training assistance where local capacity exists.

Government grants will not be provided to:

• projects that have commenced or been completed prior to receiving funding approval;
• for recurrent operating costs;
• on an ongoing basis once the project is completed;
• where projects are being undertaken by the private sector
• as a result of Government contractual arrangements; and
• where projects are requiring full funding or where funding
• is normally provided from other State, Commonwealth and/or local government sources.

Assessment Criteria

Applications for government grant assistance will be assessed primarily on the basis of the growth potential of the applicant. Typically, this growth potential will be identified by the applicant meeting at least one of the following criteria:

1. The applicant demonstrates innovative capacity or potential through its use of advanced technology, skills and leading-edge business processes and practices, and/or its identification of opportunities to do so;
2. The applicant has strong existing or identified target markets domestically and/or internationally;
3. The applicant occupies or has the potential to occupy a strategic position within local, regional or global industry structures or supply chains; and
4. The applicant operates in an industry sector of regional comparative advantage (excluding primary production).

Performance measures for specific activities receiving financial support will be required for each project, consistent with the scope of the activities funded and the projected outcomes. Typically, performance measures will be based and be required to demonstrate how they will contribute to at least one of the following assessment criteria:

• Job creation in regional Victoria;
• Facilitation of new exports from regional Victoria;
• Facilitation of new investment in regional Victoria;
• Improvements to business performance e.g. skills formation, improved productivity, safety, adaptive capacity; and
• Establishment of new industries.

If you believe you are eligible for this government grant and require assistance in obtaining this grant. Call us on 03 9606 3324

The Smart SMEs Market Validation Program (MVP) is a $28 million grant program that seeks to engage with both government and business to promote innovation. The program aims to support SMEs to develop innovative products, processes and services focused on meeting the future technology needs of Victorian public sector entities.

MVP Brochure (PDF 1Mb)

FAQs

What does the MVP aim to do?

The Market Validation Program (MVP) is designed to substantially boost the ability of SMEs to interact with customers in a demanding client setting, to commercially develop and prove their products and provide a sustainable commercial base from which to secure expansion capital, export revenue and future customers.

The Market Validation Program (MVP) targets the development of new technologies or the significant advancement of capabilities to existing technologies that meet specific technology needs identified by public sector entities. With these new technologies, public sector entities will be able to make a significant improvement in their products, processes or services, and the SME will have created and tested new marketable IP.

How does the MVP work?

The Market Validation Program (MVP) involves a three-stage process with the first stage identifying the specific technology needs of Victorian public sector entities.

These technology requirements will then be released through a Call for Proposals to invite the SME market to propose new technology solutions to the identified need.

Successful SMEs will receive a grant up to $100,000 to undertake a Feasibility Study over three months.

These Feasibility Studies will then be evaluated for further funding of up to $1.5m over two years to undertake R&D to Proof of Concept.

Technology Requirement Specification (TRS)

Victorian public sector entities identify a specific technology need, to which a solution is currently not available in the marketplace. Submission of a Technology Requirement Specification (TRS) must address a priority business requirement where there is scope for innovation.

This is a contestable stage that is only open to Victorian public sector entities. TRS applications will be assessed by an independent industry-based Assessment Panel (the Panel) and adhere to strict application criteria.

DIIRD will provide the Panel’s recommendations to the Minister for Innovation. The Minister will approve TRS applications to proceed to stage 2 as a Call for Proposal.

Registration for a TRS

TRS examples from Round 1 include:

• Example TRS – Railway Crossing Warning (PDF 39Kb)
• Example TRS – Auto Biophony Sensors (PDF 30Kb)
• Example TRS – Protective Gloves (PDF 23Kb)

The closing date for Market Validation Program (MVP) TRS applications is 23 August 2010.

For assistance with completing a TRS please contact us to discuss further

The Competitive Business Fund is a key component of Transition to a Global Future, a Victorian Government initiative to assist businesses to take maximum advantage of new opportunities that are emerging in the global economy.

Funding in the order of $3.3 million is available in the first round of grants for projects that strengthen the competitiveness of strategic Victorian industries by encouraging productivity enhancing investments and projects within enterprises and supply chains.

Funding is available on a competitive basis for projects that support the development of new products, markets, technology, skills and capabilities by lowering barriers to business growth and strengthening supply chains.

The Competitive Business Fund will operate until June 2012.

Nature & level of Assistance

The Competitive Business Fund provides two streams of financial assistance on a co-contribution basis:

• Enterprise – up to $250,000 for a project involving one company, to be matched by a minimum of  $3 for every $1 granted; and
• Supply Chain – up to $500,000 for a collaborative project involving multiple companies, to be matched by a minimum of $2 for every $1 granted.

Where a project involves multiple organisations, the lead organisation submits the application and is subject to the financial risk assessment. All participating organisations will be subject to probity checks.

Competitive Business Funding can be used for:

• Investments that increase a company’s or supply chain’s productivity and competitiveness including, for example:
  • purchase/upgrades of plant and equipment or technology;
  • upgrades to existing infrastructure;
  • improvement/enhancement of capabilities or skills;
  • adoption of new processes;
  • development of an innovative product, process or market that will generate broader benefits to the community;
  • mergers and acquisitions that will create sustainable growth-oriented entities;
• Collaborative projects among multiple businesses that facilitate greater business growth
• Demonstration projects where knowledge is shared across industry which leads to significant productivity improvement.

Government grants will not be provided for normal “business as usual” operations such as meeting payroll commitments or for payment of redundancies or for organic growth.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants meeting the following criteria will be eligible for consideration for the Competitive Business Fund:

• Possess an Australian Company Number (ACN)
• Are based in Victoria
• Have more than 20 Full Time Equivalent employees
• Achieve a satisfactory financial risk assessment based on financial reports for the past three financial years
• Agree to comply with DIIRD’s performance monitoring and evaluation regime
• Meet the co-contribution requirement of the funding principles, and have investigated and/or sought funding from appropriate Commonwealth Government programs and other State Government programs where appropriate before applying to the Fund (funding from such Government programs cannot form part of the minimum co-contribution commitment)

Where a Competitive Business Fund project involves multiple organisations, the lead organisation should submit the application. All participating organisations will be subject to probity checks.

Assessment criteria
Proposed Competitive Business Fund projects must satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

• demonstrate that the proposed investment has the potential to deliver a net economic benefit to Victoria and lead to sustainable increases in productivity and creation or transition of staff to high value jobs;
• can capitalise on opportunities arising from changing global economic conditions;
• make a significant contribution to a region or locality in terms of employment;
• support the growth and competitiveness of small and medium sized enterprises through their supply chain engagement.

Preference may also be afforded to applications from, or those that contribute to the Department’s priority sectors, which includes Automotive, Aviation, Biotechnology, Defence, Energy, Financial Services, Food, Information and Communications Technology, International Education and Tourism.
Preference may also be given to businesses with 50 – 500 full time equivalent employees. Projects will be assessed individually and competitively against assessment criteria and irrespective of eligibility and merit there is no guarantee that an offer of funding will be made.

Competitive Business Fund – Program Guidelines (PDF 89Kb)
Competitive Business Fund – Flyer (PDF 1Mb)
Competitive Business Fund – Client Report and Evaluation (PDF 75Kb)
Competitive Business Fund – Fillable Application Form (PDF 189Kb)

If you need assistance with this application then please contact us to discuss further

The closing date for Competitive Business Fund applications is 5pm AEST, Friday 6 August 2010

About the Mobile Business Centre

The Mobile Business Centre is delivered by Small Business Victoria in collaboration with the Small Business Mentoring Service (SBMS). The Mobile Business Centre takes care of your business needs with business coaching when, how and where you need it.

Small Business Mentoring

Business mentors can help you to identify a clear direction for you and your business. Each mentoring session is 45 minutes long. A mentor will discuss your key business issues and priorities with you and provide an action plan to assist you to achieve your goals.

The mentors can advise you on:

• developing an effective marketing strategy
• developing a business plan
• costing and pricing your products or services
• calculating your break even point
• improving your cash-flow management
• identifying new opportunities and markets and how to research these
• improving the viability of your business or business idea
• improving your internet marketing.

All mentors are volunteers with SBMS and have extensive experience in small business. The mentors have run a successful small business or have been in a company at a senior level involved with small business.

Their skills include marketing, finance, human resources, sales and specialist industry knowledge. All mentors have a strong desire to pass on this knowledge to help your business grow.

The new Mobile Business Centre supports small businesses in regional Victoria. A Victorian Government initiative, the Mobile Business Centre offers business coaching through a mentoring service, designed to help you start, run or grow your small business.

Locations

The Mobile Business Centre travels between June to September 2010 to Gippsland, Barwon South and the Loddon Mallee regions and Interface Council areas. Book the Mobile Business Centre for a free mentoring session.

Book a free small business mentoring session

Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings has opened the seventh round of funding for the Victoria–Israel Science and Technology R&D Fund (VISTECH) which provides matching government grants of up to US$500,000. VISTECH was launched in 2006 with Victoria and Israel each providing half of the US$6 million fund.

To date VISTECH has awarded almost A$2 million to Victorian companies supporting eight projects worth around A$7.8 million.

The first ever VISTECH funded project to move out of the research and development stage is now available in the market. Sustainability Ventures in Victoria partnered with Aqwise of Israel to work on a “Sustainable Water System for Dairy Farms”. Built and tested on a Shepparton farm over the last two years, the system is now available for other farmers to purchase and install. The system re-uses effluent water from the farm, pushing it through aquaculture tanks which grow Murray Codlings. The water then goes through a horticulture system producing both hydroponic and aquatic plants. This means valuable farm water is able to be utilised in four ways rather than just one.

Two other VISTECH projects are due to reach commercialisation in 2010 – a “Severe Asthma Monitor” and an “Industrial Floor Cleaning Robot”. These projects show the breadth of technology that VISTECH can fund.

The VISTECH Government grants demonstrates the value of international partnerships to commercialise research and helps Victorian companies connect with Israeli companies to commercialise their R&D and break into new markets on an international scale.

VISTECH offers Victorian companies access to additional skills, capital, technology and knowledge transfer. The program also provides support to Victorians in finding suitable Israeli technology partners.

Companies working in biotechnology, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, the environment, water, nano- and micro-technologies, information communications and synchrotron technologies are encouraged to apply.

VISTECH Handbook

Partner Search Form

Co-operation Form

Application Form

Cash Flow Analysis Template

Application Checklist

Round Seven VISTECH project applications are now open and will close on Tuesday 1 June 2010.

To discuss whether your project fits within the Guidelines of VISTECH or for any other Government grant assistance, please feel free to contact us.

The Mentoring for Commercialisation Program is Funded by the Victorian Government’s Department of Innovation, Industry & Regional Development and is free to the company if approved to join the program

Who is the Program for?
Mentoring for Commercialisation is designed for businesses which have progressed sufficiently to have credible Business Cases. They will have confirmed their preferred Business Model, understand their Team requirements, secured their Intellectual Property (IP) and have an early Business Plan.

They will also understand their markets and target customers, even if, at this point, they have not conducted the formal Market Research that quantifies markets, and determines why customers buy that type of product or service, together with identifying pricing issues and providing competitor analysis.


What will be delivered?

The Mentoring for Commercialisation Program assesses in detail each participant entering the Program to confirm their likelihood of funding success and the strategy.

Mentoring for Commercialisation Program assists successful applicants to develop a Go-to-Market Strategy that will underpin any applications or proposals for commercialisation funding like Commercialisation Australia.
The Program assists participants put together grant or debt funding applications, or to develop early investment proposals. Services include holding key discussions with likely sources of funding, plus related mentoring.

Entry to the Program

To enter the Mentoring for Commercialisation Program companies will need to be judged likely to succeed commercially.

Entry to the Program is by referral only by regional stakeholders including RDV offices, AusIndustry, members of the Pyksis Victoria Alliance Team and related program deliverers such as the RTCP Pyksis Pioneer Program.

Please contact us if you would like to be considered for this program.

Water and Energy Efficiency Initiative projects will need to demonstrate a reduction in demand on potable urban water supplies, or the demand on a shared raw water resource, or a lowering of the industry’s water usage per unit of output. Alternatively the lowering of energy usage, or energy related emissions, per unit of output.

Eligible projects

1. Water efficiency: Projects can include one or a number of supply or demand management measures.

• Supply management: Involves using alternative non-potable sources of water in fit-for-purpose applications.
• Demand Management: Involves reductions in water usage; internal wastewater recovery, treatment, and recycling; or a change in process that reduces or eliminates the need for water.

2. Energy efficiency: Projects can include one or a number of supply or demand management measures.

• Supply management: Involves projects that are capable of substituting one form of energy for a more efficient one, e.g. using natural gas for boilers rather than mains electricity.
• Demand management: Involves reductions in energy usage, internal waste heat recovery, or a change in the manufacturing process that reduces energy demand and/or substitution to a more efficient energy source.

Funding criteria

Applications under the Water and Energy Efficiency Initiative will need to demonstrate that they have greater potential for investment attraction, job creation, exports, or import replacement, and/or satisfy the following additional criteria.

• Environmental criterion: There are local water resource constraints, or energy distribution capacity constraints that preclude lower cost alternatives.
• Technical criterion: There are site-specific engineering, water quality, or energy supply stability requirements.

Eligibility

The Water and Energy Efficiency Initiative is not able to fund the core activities of applicants. For example, a water saving project must be beyond the minimum regulatory requirement and not included in the current Water Plan of a water corporation.

• Grants are primarily targeted at companies in the manufacturing and processing industries located in regional Victoria.
• Grants are only available to projects with an internal payback greater than three years (see information below on Payback Period).
• Grants are limited to 50 per cent of the total project capital cost or the amount required to reduce the payback period to three years, whichever is the lesser.
• Only projects capable of achieving significant efficiency gains will be considered.

To discuss eligibility for  Government grants or assistance with applications  please contact us via the webform of call us at 03 9606 3324.

]]> http://www.government-grant.com.au/2010/02/water-and-energy-efficiency-initiative-vic/feed/ 1 http://www.government-grant.com.au/2009/09/regional-communities-and-sti-projects/ http://www.government-grant.com.au/2009/09/regional-communities-and-sti-projects/#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:22:10 +0000 Government Grant Guru http://www.government-grant.com.au/?p=398 The Regional Communities and STI Projects provides one-off grants to networks of councils, businesses, universities and research institutes to develop STI projects designed to promote regional specialisation, improve the linkages between regional industries and universities, and attract investment to emerging industries.

Eligible Proposals

The Regional Communities and STI Projects program encourages proposals developed by local councils, networks, associations, businesses and regional communities.

Funding support will specifically target the development of innovative projects (ie. Preparing the business case) to the point where they are in a position to bid for substantial support to work through the implementation phase of their projects, i.e. leverage of other external grant programs and private sector investment.

Regional Communities and STI Projects Proposals that are eligible for funding will be allocated a higher priority if they:

• Clearly define the eventual project benefits related to assisting regional industries become more innovative, or adopt new technologies, or undertake higher levels of research;
• Demonstrate commitment to the project by all collaborative parties;
• Demonstrate that the project can be developed as a business case with the potential to apply for more significant State, Commonwealth or private sector support to carry out implementation; and
• Are at a stage where they are ready to commence implementation

These criteria will be employed in the initial prioritisation process, with more detailed evaluation of project proposals required as part of the assessment process.

Ineligible Projects

Regional Communities and STI Projects that are generally ineligible include:

• Capital works and infrastructure
• Projects which have commenced prior to lodging a funding application

Eligible Applicants

Generally, municipal councils, peak business organisations, research organisations, incorporated community groups and groups of businesses operating in rural and regional Victoria can apply.

Level of Grant Available

The Regional Communities and STI Projects grant amount will be limited to an amount up to $50,000, in two stages

• Up to $10,000 upon acceptance of offer, to assist with further development of project (ie. engage partners, concept plan, framework for business case, etc). This payment to be matched by “in kind” resources from the applicant to carry out the facilitation required for early development of the project.
• Up to $40,000 upon presentation of concept plan, business case framework and evidence of agreed membership of network or group which proposes to seek development funding.

The second stage payment is to be used to develop the full business case for submission to attract further funding from public or private sources.

Application Process

Applicant submits Expression of Interest paper for Regional Communities and STI Projects. The expression of interest is either accepted, rejected if inappropriate, or accepted with some amendments agreed between the applicant and RDV. Following agreement on the Expression of Interest the applicant submits an “Application for Financial Assistance”.

Applications for funding will be considered by the RDV Executive for recommendation to the Minister for Regional & Rural Development. On approval, a letter will be sent to the organisation offering financial assistance of a specified amount to undertake the nominated project within a prescribed time frame. The terms and conditions of the grant will be outlined in the letter.

If you would like assistance with this government grant then please feel free to contact us.

Victoria’s Science Agenda (VSA) is the centrepiece program of Innovation: Victoria’s Future with a budget of $145 million over four years. The VSA will deliver targeted programs to strengthen the State’s robust science and technology base and generate economic and social benefits.
To support continuous improvement in Victoria’s science and technology capability base, the VSA Strategic Project Fund will sustain investment in facilities and human capital through collaborative projects between research and external partner organisations in priority areas.

These investments will be in projects that support activities in the research and development stage of the innovation continuum. They will strengthen Victoria’s international competitiveness and ensure the ongoing vigour of our innovation system.

A budget of up to $25 million is now available for competitive grants under the VSA Strategic Project Fund in 2009-10.

The VSA Strategic Project Fund will make strategic investments in a small number of large projects to establish new internationally competitive science and technology capability in the areas of productivity, sustainability and health. These projects will support activities in the research and development stage of the innovation continuum.

The objective of the SPF is to build internationally competitive science and technology capability and achieve significant solutions to the longer-term goals of sustainability, health and productivity.

The SPF will make significant investments (minimum of $5 million with a maximum of $10 million per investment) in a selected number of exceptional projects. The investments will support world-class research facilities and equipment, the advancement of high level skills, and the development of next-generation platform technologies.
The Government has worked with stakeholders across industry and academia to identify specific areas of the innovation system that are well-placed to achieve world-leading capability.


Eligible Applicants

Grants from the VSA Strategic Project Fund are available for collaborative projects that may include existing collaborations or the formation of new joint ventures or other types of partnerships (public/private or public/public). Applications are open to partnerships between organisations including, but not limited to:

• Universities and other post-secondary educational institutions.
• Research institutes.
• Cooperative Research Centres.
• Private companies (large and small).
• Industry associations.
• Public not-for-profit organisations.
• Victorian Government agencies and other Government agencies active in Victoria.

The lead organisation is responsible for administration of the VSA Strategic Project Funding for and on behalf of its partner organisations, via a funding agreement with the Victorian Government.

Initial applications in the form of a business case, must be able to certify:

• that the lead organisation is a Victorian based-entity with whom the Victorian Government can enter into legally binding funding agreements;
• the commitment of matching funding, including both cash and in-kind contributions of all project partners;
• that the project is to be located in Victoria and ready to commence in January 2010;
• that non-Victorian partners are necessary for achieving the core objectives and delivering significant benefit to Victoria.

Short listed applicants for the VSA Strategic Project Fund will then be invited to prepare a fully costed business plan (stage 2 of application process).


Eligible Expenditure
Eligible VSA Strategic Project Fund proposal costs include:

• Salary and on-costs for new staff.
• Access costs to facilities and equipment, including lease or hire.
• Professional services such as project management, legal services, business planning and evaluation.
• Equipment and machinery.
• Refurbishment of existing facilities.
• Administration and professional services e.g. business planning or marketing.
• Maintenance, insurance and consumables.
• Other costs necessary for partnership formation and maintenance including travel.

Purposes for which funding under the VSA Strategic Project Fund program are ineligible include:

• Construction of new laboratories / facilities unless the cash contribution from the applicant/s is at least 3 times the funding requested from the SPF and a user access plan is approved by the Department.
• Land or sea transportation.
• Substitution of existing operational and/or staffing costs.

If you would like assistance with this grant then please feel free to contact us.