Through the Innovation Connect program, matched grant funds of up to $30,000 is awarded to Canberra innovators to make their ideas become a reality.
All of the funded projects highlight the creativity and innovation of Canberrans looking for inspired solutions to everyday challenges.
In partnership with the ACT Government, the Canberra Innovation Network delivers ICON to provide early-stage businesses an opportunity to receive matched funding between $10,000-$30,000 and is designed to support the market testing, prototyping, patenting and commercial feasibility of the recipient’s concept.
Here are some of the brilliant projects that were backed this round:
Barbarian Board - Sam Cahill & Lachlan Knope - $30K awarded
Barbarian Boards is a smart tabletop system that synchronises physical miniatures with a live digital game board. This enables a seamless hybrid gameplay experience between in-person and remote players for a range of tabletop role playing games.
Certia – Dan Stewart & Kennedy Chen - $30K awarded
Certia is an AI-powered statutory compliance engine that automates complex town planning checks and legislation into an intelligent, automated assessment workbench. This helps government bodies, like the ACT Government, and private planning consultants clear development backlogs faster and with guaranteed accuracy.
Ebony May Bakes – Ebony May - $30K awarded
The Ebony May Packet Mix Line is a youth-aimed, all-in-one baking kit range that transforms traditional packet mixes into fun experiences. They remove the barriers of cost, complexity and intimidation of baking while making impressive cakes achievable for young, beginner, and teen bakers. (female founder)
Laxy Lucy – Sarah Kelly - $30K awarded
Laxy Lucy is an interactive, clinically accurate knee model designed for physiotherapy and medical students, new graduates, and educators. It enables users to understand, demonstrate, and practice assessing knee instability and key ligament injuries through realistic hands-on learning. (female founder)
Loggy – Imogen Aitken - $30K awarded
Loggy is a physical NFC-enabled tracker that attaches directly to whatever’s being tracked, eliminating the friction between doing a task and recording that it has been done. Just do, tap and instantly log – with no app, account or login required. (female founder)
MojoDojo – Cameron Smith & Daniel Sims - $30K
MojoDojo is a purpose-built teaching management platform for private music teachers across Australia. It replaces the spreadsheets, sheet music, tabs, and scattered apps they currently rely on to run their businesses.
Willow Tree Pregnancy Network – Sarah Jensen - $30K awarded
Willow Tree Pregnancy Network is a clinical network and digital platform connecting pregnancy-trained GPs with patients seeking early pregnancy care. It enables flexible, high-quality care delivery through telehealth and affiliated pregnancy support clinics that currently lack embedded medical support. (female founder)
To find out more about Innovation Connect book an intro meeting. The next round of the Innovation Connect Grants will open for applications 6 July 2026.
