Funding for Canberra’s clever, connected, creative innovation startups

Local innovation startups have once again shown just how clever ideas can become a reality through the latest funding round of the Innovation Connect (ICON) grant program.  $195,000 has been awarded to 8 local companies looking to change the way we do things for the better. 

A partnership between the ACT Government and the Canberra Innovation Network, ICON provides early stage businesses an opportunity to receive matched funding of between $10,000-$30,000. The grant aims to support the market testing, prototyping, and determining the commercial feasibility of the recipient’s concept. 

“Money is vital to any business, and we’re very grateful for CBRIN and the ACT Government’s support to help us expand Alfred to help users around the world manage their diets better.” says Ben Alexander, former Brumbies rugby player who is taking his food tracking app Alfred global. 

“Innovation is so important for the future of our economy. The ACT Government is committed to support early-stage innovators as they set to grow their businesses and create sustainable jobs for Canberrans.” says Andrew Barr, ACT Chief Minister. 

The latest ICON grant recipients are: 

• Alfred – Alfred is meal tracking service that helps busy people keep a health-focused food diary. 
• Aurabox – Aurabox is a cloud-based, medical imaging storage and viewing platform which allows doctors to access a patient’s entire imaging history on one platform regardless of where imaging was obtained. 
• FC Tekkers – is a tech-enabled, soccer-focused family entertainment centre involving soccer challenges, competitions, food and beverage, merchandise, and eSports. 
• Lift Pass – A personal device for snow transport, allowing you access to new slopes and tracks. 
• Membrane Transport Engineers – A novel wastewater processing system enabling advanced separation capability for turning agricultural wastewater into valuable assets and drought-proofing Australian agriculture.
• PV Lab Australia – Developing machine learning to automate solar panel electroluminescence (EL) image analysis. 
• Recruitable Hub – To revolutionise the recruitment industry, making it easier for candidates to find great jobs, and hiring managers to quickly find the perfect person. 
• Viortec – A smart surgical clamp aiming to have a major impact on the precision and efficiency of robotic knee replacement surgery. 

“We see a growing range of highly ambitious innovations pursued by entrepreneurial Canberrans. I could not be more excited about the ambition, quality and diversity of projects that apply each round. If you believe you have an innovative business idea that can have a real impact around the world while creating innovation jobs in Canberra, make sure you do not miss the opportunity to apply.” says Petr Adamek, CEO of the Canberra Innovation Network. 

The next round of the Innovation Connect Grants closes on 8 April 2022. To find out more book an intro meeting.