Time To Thrive

Take advantage of grant funding today

Grant Funding This ebook will take you through the opportunities for grant funding that can help you grow your business and how you can take advantage of them. Now that many small businesses are looking to expand and grow as the economy begins to unlock, a range of grant funding measures are also available, or about to be introduced, that create new opportunities for Australian employers and employees.If you would like to find out how Cisco Designed Technology can support your business click here.As you’re generally able to use grant money as you see fit, it could be a good opportunity to invest in technology that assists you with training, boosts your online presence or allows your growing team to work more productively together.Cisco partnership with Grants OfficeIf you need help navigating the multiple grants and stimulus technology packages on offer, we’re here to assist you. In partnership with the Grants Office, we’re on hand to guide you through the entire process, ensuring you find the right package for you and your business.Let’s take a look at some of the grants available:

AMGC - Commercialisation Fund – Advanced Manufacturing Growth CentreObjectives:

Fund projects through AMGC’s Commercialisation Fund that commercialise new products and processes within the Australian manufacturing industry that are at the TRL 6 to 9.

Invest in Australian manufacturing projects that aim to transition a new product or process from the pilot/ prototype stage to full commercial operations.

Funding Available: $100K - $1M. The grant amount will be up to 50 per cent of eligible project expenditure (grant percentage)$30 million is available from 2020-21 to 2022-23.Eligibility:

Eligible applicants are anticipated to be Australian SME manufacturers (up to 199 employees).

Project aligns with 1 or more of National Priorities (Resources Technology & Critical Minerals Processing, Food & Beverage, Medical Products, Recycling & Clean Energy, Defence, Space)

Where the project has at minimum three project collaborators

Deadline: OngoingAdditional Information: https://www.amgc.org.au/projects/Aus Gov - Entrepreneurs' Programme - Accelerating CommercialisationAccelerating Commercialisation provides small and medium businesses, entrepreneurs and researchers with access to expert advice and funding to help get a novel product, process or service to market. An expression of interest for Commercialisation Guidance can be submitted at any time. After receiving guidance, you may be eligible to apply for an Accelerating Commercialisation Grant.Funding Available: Grants will be available in 3 tiers, designed to provide different levels of support to you as you grow your export markets at the different stages of your export journey:

Tier 1: for eligible SMEs who are ready to begin exporting – grants of up to $40,000 per financial year for 2 years.

Tier 2: for eligible exporters who plan to expand their exporting – grants of up to $80,000 per financial year for 3 years.

Tier 3: for eligible exporters who plan to make a strategic shift in their exporting business – grants of up to $150,000 per financial year for 3 years.

For Tier 1 you will need to be ready to start exporting. For Tiers 2 and 3 you will have already exported. To be eligible, you will need to have a turnover of less than $20 million.Eligibility: To be eligible, applicants must be one of the following:

an individual whose principal place of residence is in Australia

a body incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001

an association, or cooperative, incorporated under an Australian law

a partnership that is Australian, that is if the partnership was formed and operates under a law of a State or Territory, and at least half the partners are Australian persons

a trust that is Australian within the meaning of the EMDG Rules, that is the trustee, or each trustee, of the trust is an Australian person

a body corporate established for a public purpose by or under an Australian law

a representative body.

Deadline: Ongoing.Additional Information: https://www.austrade.gov.au/australian/export/export-grants/emdg?FolderID=1356Aus Gov – Entrepreneurs Programme – Growth RoadmapObjectives: The Growth Roadmap service provides an analysis of your business by an independent facilitator. They’ll help you develop a roadmap to increase your ability to trade in Australia and/or other markets.You will be provided with a broad review of your business, a roadmap and support from a mentor for up to 1 year. You'll also have the opportunity to then apply for funding to action the facilitator's recommendations.Funding Available: N/A – pathway to additional funding under Entrepreneur’s ProgramEligibility: SMEs in specified growth sectors who require assistance to grow and enter new marketsDeadline: OngoingAdditional Information: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/growth-roadmapVIC Gov – Business Competitiveness ProgramCurrently Closed. Reopening is anticipated for mid 2022Objectives: The aim of this program is to assist small and medium manufacturers with an existing presence in Victoria to expand their manufacturing operations and implement new manufacturing technologies and processes that provide a critical foundation for generating sustainable new local jobs.Funding Available: Grants of up to $500,000 are available for up to 33% of eligible project expenditureEligibility: To be eligible, you must:

operate a business located in Victoria

hold an Australian Business Number (ABN)

be currently engaged in manufacturing or the manufacturing supply chain or demonstrate a genuine commercial connection to the manufacturing supply chain

employ at least 20 FTE* (full-time equivalent) staff or have an annual turnover of greater than $1.5 million (preference will be given to applicants that employ less than 200 people)

agree to meet any co-contribution requirements with eligible cash expenditure.

*Companies with fewer than 20 FTE staff may be considered but will need to demonstrate why their project should be funded and how it will stimulate job creation.

Deadline: The second round of this program is anticipated in late 2021 and again in mid 2022Additional Information: https://business.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs/manufacturing-and-industry-development-fund/business-competitiveness-programTelstra Best of Business AwardsObjectives: Applications are by a nomination process. If your small to medium-sized business is eligible, you can be nominated - or nominate yourself to enter the Telstra Best of Business Awards. Once nominated, the next step is to set up a profile and enter. If you win at state level, you’ll go on to compete at national level. The National Gala Event for finalists is held in Sydney in April each year, where National Winners for each category are announced, alongside the National Winner for Progressing Australia.Funding Available: No funding available under this grant. This is a profile building exercise to increase your credibility, gain national recognition for making an impact and to grown your business and expertise.Eligibility: Any business that is ‘making a difference’ and deserves recognition. Visit the program page to see all award categoriesDeadline: Nominations are open year-round with winners announced in April.Additional Information: https://telstrabestofbusinessawards.com/why-enterBoosting Female Founders GrantsObjectives: The Boosting Female Founders Initiative helps female entrepreneurs overcome the disadvantages faced in getting access to finance and support to grow their start-ups. Targeted support will be on a co-contribution basis.Funding Available: $25,000 - $480,000Eligibility: Female founded (majority owned and led by women) start-ups who wish to scale their business into domestic and global markets. Additional eligibility conditions apply. For detailed eligibility criteria visit the program page.Deadline: Currently closed. Expected to open again in 2023, subject to Federal Government commitments.Additional Information: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/boosting-female-foundersWomen’s Leadership and Development Program: Lead and SucceedObjectives: The Women’s Leadership and Development Program (WLDP) Lead and Succeed grant opportunity supports projects that improve outcomes for women in Australia in three key priority areas: women’s workforce participation; women’s leadership; and women’s safety.Funding Available: No maximum grant amount specified. Average grant amount between $1million - $3million.Eligibility: To be eligible you must:

Have an Australian Business Number (ABN)

Be registered for the purposes of GST

Be a permanent resident of Australia

Have an account with an Australian financial institution and be one of the following entity types:

Indigenous Corporation
Company
Co-operative
Incorporated Association
Statutory Entity
Corporate State or Territory Entity (Universities only).

Deadline: 21 April 2022. Currently Closed. Expected to open again in 2023, subject to Federal Government commitments.Additional Information: https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=d7d31c75-7cca-45d2-a7bf-4147bfed0833The Alice Anderson FundObjectives: The Alice Anderson Fund has been designed as a side-car fund to leverage the experience and expertise of investors in performing due diligence and market assessment on eligible startups that meet the assessment criteria. The objectives of this fund are to:

Directly increase the number of Victorian-based women-led startups receiving investment by incentivising and leveraging private investment; and

Increase the individual funding round size for each investment in a Victorian-based women-led start-up to help these businesses gain traction and scale faster.

Funding Available: Co-investments between $50,000 and $300,000.Eligibility: Applications for co-investment are open to local and international investors with promising women-led startups in their pipeline. For founders seeking investment, an angel network can be found here: https://findingstartups.launchvic.org/investors/f/all_regions/allof_Victoria%20State?sort=-rounds_count_all_timeDeadline: The Investment Committee meets monthly to assess applications. The upcoming meeting dates are: 22nd March, 12th April, 17th May, 21st June. Applications are to be submitted 10 business days prior to these dates.Additional Information: https://launchvic.org/general/angel-sidecarWomen in Business NSWObjectives: Women in Business provides women living or working in New South Wales with access to a fully subsidised online program to help them establish a new small business or consolidate an existing small business.Funding Available: N/A. A fully subsidised program to help women in NSW develop sustainable small businessEligibility: Eligible applicants must:

Identify as female

Be establishing or own a business

Be located in NSW

Deadline: Applications accepted year round.Additional Information: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/Women-in-Business-NSWBusiness Growth Fund Program QLDObjectives: The Business Growth Fund provides funding for small to medium businesses to purchase and implement highly specialised equipment to help them seize growth opportunities. The funding objectives of this program are:

improved growth transitioning from small to medium sized

increase productivity, turnover, profit and employment by 20%, and

automating, scaling up, increasing market share, diversify and/or exploit exporting opportunities

Funding Available: Grants up to $50,000 for 75% of total project expenditure.Eligibility: Eligible applicants must:

have been trading for 3 years minimum

have a minimum turnover of $500,000 for the last FY

have fewer than 50 employees

be headquartered in QLD

Deadline: Currently closed. Round three for 2021 opened 11th May. 2022 dates to be confirmed.Additional Information: https://business.gov.au/Grants-and-Programs/Business-Growth-Fund-Program-QLDInvesting in Queensland Women GrantsObjectives: The Investing in Queensland Women grant program supports community groups and organisations across Queensland to develop and deliver initiatives that align with the Queensland Government’s strategic priorities for women and address the unique issues faced by women and girls.Funding Available: Grants up to $15,000 are available for initiatives with a duration of up to 6 months. Total fund available $270,000 per round.Eligibility: Eligible applicants must be Queensland based not-for-profits or local government authority.Deadline: Applications open 1st of July 2022 and close 31st July 2022.Additional Information: https://www.justice.qld.gov.au/initiatives/grants-for-queensland-womenWomen in STEM and EntrepreneurshipObjectives: The program supports investment in gender equity initiatives that aim for lasting systemic change by eliminating barriers for women’s participation in STEM education and careers, and entrepreneurship. With rapid technological change driving new workforce needs, STEM skills play an important role in innovation and the creation of new businesses and technologies. Funding objectives include:

Increase awareness and participation of girls and women in STEM education and careers

Increase awareness and participation of girls and women in other parts of the innovation ecosystem including innovative businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurial activities and careers

Stimulate an increase in the number of women in senior leadership and decision making positions in government, research organisations, industry and businesses.

Funding Available: Grants between $5,000 and $250,000.Eligibility: Eligible applicants include:

Australian businesses

Research organisations

Vocational training providers

Not-for-profits

Joint applications are accepted however schools, individuals and government agencies are not eligible as lead applicant.Deadline: Currently closed. Expected to open again in 2022/23 subject to Federal Government commitments.Additional Information: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/women-in-stem-and-entrepreneurshipVenture funding for women-led businessesObjectives: The funding model brings together hundreds of generous women called ‘Activators’ who contribute $1,100 AUD each (or twelve monthly payments of $92AUD) for Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. That money is pooled and then loaned out in the form of 0%-interest 5-year loans to women-led Ventures whom the Activators help select. As the money is paid back into the fund, it’s loaned out again to support more women-led ventures each year.Funding Available: UndisclosedEligibility: Applicants must fulfill the following to be eligible:

Company must be working on creating a better world through their business model and/or product and service as defined by the UN Sustainability Goals

Majority owned (51%+) by cis* or trans woman, non-binary, gender-fluid or gender nonconforming people

Majority led by a cis* or trans woman, non-binary, gender-fluid or gender non-conforming person. For SheEO, “led by” refers to the senior leadership role of CEO/ President

Have generated between $50K – $2M AUD in Australia, New Zealand, Canada or the USA, or £40K - £2M in the United Kingdom, in recurring revenue, from customers, in the last 12 months.

If you are a not-for-profit or charity that generates revenue and can pay back a loan over 5 years, then you can apply.

Ventures must be registered as a legal entity in the region for which you are applying and have export potential

Deadline: 10th of June 2022Additional Information: https://sheeo.world/the-venture-invitation/Getting startedFor more information on the above grants or to get started with an application process, please complete this form and a member of our team will work with you and the Grants Office on the next steps.