Applications are now open for the Innovation Booster Grant (IGB) and the Commercialisation Bridge Grant (CBG) which are funded through the $40 million New Industries and Innovation Fund (NIIF).
The NIIF is the primary tool for the State to deliver against Western Australia's Innovation Strategy and is a key enabler of the State’s economic development framework Diversify WA.
The IBG program provides support to early-stage founders, innovation-driven SMEs, and startups in Western Australia (WA) to strengthen capability and commercialise innovative projects.
Since 2021, the IBG has awarded over $5.5 million to support 182 local innovation projects, assisting startups and innovative businesses to access the support services and expertise required to refine, test, protect, validate, and certify their innovation.
The funds enable innovators to execute their ideas and overcome barriers which often occur with a lack of resources or capital.
In 2024, an Innovation Booster Grant was received by Heailthigence which enabled them to develop and test an AI-powered medication safety platform to reduce medication errors for critically ill infants in neonatal intensive care units.
Another company, Aquila Scientific, used funding received via the IBG to build on their early success in automating and improving the accuracy of infectious disease diagnostics for animal health in agricultural and veterinary use.
The Commercialisation Bridge Grant program supports high-growth enterprises to further develop products, intellectual property, and aid commercialisation readiness, to bring their product or service to new domestic and international markets.
Since 2024, the CBG has awarded over $2 million to support 11 Western Australian innovators. Eligible applicants can receive grant funding between $50,000 to a new maximum of $250,000.
A previous recipient of the CBG, Facilitate Tech, used funding to further develop their virtual reality workplace learning platform. The platform aims to enhance staff training in industries including energy, mining, aviation and healthcare.
“This year we have increased the funding available to innovators and introduced more support to assist businesses that are founded by women and First Nations people or based regionally,” said Minister for Science and Innovation Stephen Dawson.
“The WA Government has invested in the New Industries and Innovation Fund over the next four years, doing so has ensured grant programs such as the IBG and CBG can continue to assist WA innovators into the future,” said Minister Dawson.
Applications for both programs are now open.
- Innovation Booster Grant applications are open until Friday, 10 October, 4pm AWST.
- Commercialisation Bridge Grant applications are open until Friday, 14 October, 4pm AWST.
For more information and to register for an online information session head to New Industries Fund: grants
Print this page
