Best Startup Grants available to Australian Businesses
Australia has a solid reputation for having funds accessible to both start-ups and existing businesses.
There’s good news for aspiring Australian entrepreneurs who want to establish their own business: programs are available. The Department of Industry, Innovation, and Science has created grants, funding and support programs search tools to help Australian startups identify assistance programs.
So, when you consider how to start a small business, consider some of the best programs available and how you may give yourself the best opportunity of bringing your business ideas into reality.
What is a Startup or a Small Business Grant?
A startup or small business grant is monetary support provided by the government or an organisation to assist startups and fundraisers in establishing and developing their operations.
These funds are usually used to finance initiatives that have defined criteria and effects that can be measured. For example, app development.
While you may be granted federal funding, there may be restrictions on how you may use it. Let’s assume you apply for a grant to improve your company’s technology so you and your staff can work quicker and create more of your goods. You may have to repay the cash if you used that money to pay your staff instead of purchasing new technology and equipment. You may also be guilty of fraud, which might result in legal problems for you and your company.
Top government grants for startups in Australia 2021
The Research & Development (R&D) Tax Incentive
The current amount of the tax offset for SMEs engaging in qualifying R&D activities is 43.5%, which implies that if your business is losing money and you spend $100,000 on eligible activities, you might earn $43,500 in cash.
You must meet certain criteria to be eligible for the R&D Tax Incentive:
- Play the role of a company that is taxed income tax in Australia.
- At least one activity that fits the criteria of a core R&D activity should be carried out.
- Have spent more than $20,000 on qualifying R&D.
Your finals R&D must be registered within 10 months of the end of your income year, and your eligibility must be self-assessed. More information and registration may be found here.
Accelerating Commercialisation (AC) Grant
The next significant stage in the startup process is finding out how to effectively get your product to market once you’ve completed most of your R&D efforts. This is when the AC Grant comes into play. This competitive award provides up to $1 million in matching financing to help companies commercialise novel goods or processes in new markets.
It’s for Australian entrepreneurs, researchers, innovators, startups, RCEs, and small and medium businesses that seek to launch a new product, method, or service.
How to gain approval:
- Make sure you have a board with a proven track record in both technical and commercial matters.
- Have financial equivalent funds available.
- Accreditation procedures might take up to 6 months.
Entrepreneurs Programme
Entrepreneurs’ Programme is a $400 million government project that provides financing and access to a nationwide network of private-sector consultants and facilitators to assist firms to enhance efficiency and competitiveness.
It offers firms practical assistance, such as:
- Business facilitators and advisers with extensive expertise.
- Grants for the commercialization of emerging ideas, processes, or services that are co-funded.
- To take advantage of expansion prospects, you’ll need funding.
- Possibilities for networking and collaboration.
- Personalized learning opportunities all around the country.
For one of the last 3 years, a business’s yearly yield (or operational expenditure) must have been between $1.5 million and $100 million.
Grant for a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in NSW
The Minimum Viable Product (MVP) program helps technology startups perform market research and test their business models with customers by providing the cash. Grants of up to $25,000 are available to pay up to 50% of the expenses of projects that have been approved.
These funds are particularly beneficial in assisting entrepreneurs in engaging with potential business clients and developing solutions that meet industry demands or market gaps.
The goal of startup grants in Australia is to help promising pre-revenue enterprises move from proof of concept to MVP. Startups that are primarily focused on the creation of a scalable technological solution are eligible for these awards across all industry sectors.
New Business Assistance with NEIS
Jobactive has launched a new program called New Business Assistance using NEIS (New Enterprise Incentive Scheme). It provides startup training and coaching to qualified job seekers who want to start and operate their own small businesses.
The 13-week course assists job searchers in gaining a nationally recognised qualification in one of the following areas:
- Certificate III in Micro-Business Operations.
- Certificate IV in Small Business Management.
Job seekers will construct a NEIS Business Plan throughout the course, which will need to be authorised by their NEIS provider. They will also get a funded allowance of the same amount as the Newstart Allowance.
CSIRO Kick-start
This program provides qualified Australian firms with $10,000 — $50,000 in dollar-matched funding to conduct research with the CSIRO.
These activities include:
- Investigate a new commercially viable company concept.
- A new or improved product or method is being developed.
- The business is putting its new product to the test.
After completing their first Kick-Start project, eligible enterprises can apply for a second one, as long as the total money obtained does not exceed $50,000.
Export Market Development Grant (EMDG)
The Export Industry Development Grant is meant to help businesses explore new markets in other countries. It reimburses startups for up to $150,000 in worldwide market marketing expenses for their products, goods, or services.
The EMDG grant will undergo significant changes in the fiscal year 2022, the most prominent of which is how the funds will be allocated. Rather than being paid in installments, the money will now be dispersed in three stages.
Industry-Specific Grants
The Australian government provides industry-specific subsidies and assistance in five development areas: energy, health, mining, advanced manufacturing, and agriculture. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency, for example, offers funding to businesses in the energy sector (ARENA). GrantConnect or the Grants and Programs Finder will aid you in locating grants, loans, and support programs for a range of sectors.
Building Partnerships Grant
The Building Partnerships Grant is designed to help revenue-generating startups and other SMEs grow their operations by creating new marketing channels or obtaining a new significant customer.
Applicable firms can regain up to 35% of project costs, up to the maximum of $100,000. Expenditures associated with acquiring and retaining people, as well as costs associated with product development, training, and testing, may be included in the project cost.
Victorian Government Grants
Small Business Grants from the City of Melbourne are an excellent financing option for Victorian businesses in the Melbourne CBD. Companies can get up to $30,000 to launch, export, or expand market-ready products and services. This government incentive is available twice a year to small businesses in any area.
Grants are offered twice a year to forward-thinking small businesses that are located or desire to relocate inside Melbourne’s city limits. Startups and established businesses in any area are invited to apply if they have a great concept and a good business strategy that will continue forward even if they don’t receive funding.
Ignite Ideas Fund
The Ignite Ideas Fund assists Queensland-based small and medium enterprises with high-growth potential with commercialization efforts. A major long-term outcome must be viability and scalability after the project’s completion. There are two tiers available, starting with $100,000 and going up to $200,000.
South Australian Government Grants & Programs
The Research, Commercialisation and Startup Fund (RCSF) helps researchers, entrepreneurs, and businesses accelerate their growth with funding from the South Australian government.
The SA Export Accelerator is available to businesses in South Australia who want to expand into foreign markets.
The Future Industries Accelerator, which may aid firms in researching product development concepts and technological challenges, is another fantastic initiative offered by the SA government.
About Savvient:
Savvient focuses on providing technology solutions via Custom Application Development, Product Engineering, Enterprise Solutions, Business Intelligence, and Analytics along with Quality and Testing Services. Our HQ is located in the new business hub of Parramatta, if you’re searching for a successful technology service provider to help with your Startup grants, call us on +61 0279113227 or email us at hello@savvient.com.au now.
