![Government of Western Australia to fund job creating projects through innovation grants](http://opengovasia.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/5b4473de401ffc7bca3c9e26_Depositphotos_18467251_original.jpg)
An announcement
made by the Government of Western Australia highlighted the innovation grants
awarded by the McGowan Government to 6 successful applicants, with innovative
projects, that will create more jobs for the Western Australia community.
There will be six successful recipients of
innovation grants worth A$ 430,000 provided through the McGowan Government’s New Industries
Fund according to Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly.
Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly
said, “The McGowan Government is committed to delivering new initiatives in
collaboration with industry to support and create WA jobs.”
The New Industries Fund is a A$ 16.7
million fund, over four years, that will support and accelerate new and
emerging businesses to diversify the Western Australian economy and create new
WA jobs and industries.
The fund will support and grow local jobs, both
in Perth and in the regions, by building on Western Australia’s competitive
advantages in sectors like agribusiness, life sciences, tourism, resources,
education and training, space, defence, digital data and cybersecurity.
With this program, the government is able
to collaborate with the private sector. This allows them to leverage the
expertise of the private sector in order to support innovative job creating
projects.
Minister Kelly said, “The successful
applicants' bids have regional, national and global application and will create
jobs and diversify the WA economy.”
Because of the strong interest in the new
program, 20 eligible applications were assessed in the culminating stages. From
this, 6 applications with projects spanning from between six months to 12
months will be receiving a total of A$ 430,000.
An independent evaluation panel made up of
industry experts recommended the final list of successful application.
Successful bids required a 1:1 co-investment and were judged on criteria that
supported WA job creation and economic diversification.
Minister Kelly said, “I congratulate the
six successful grant applicants and look forward to hearing of their
achievements and developments in the coming year.”
The 6 successful applicants are:
(1)
The Centre for Entrepreneurial
Research and Innovation – Expansion of entrepreneurial program to include
initiatives such as the Guest Entrepreneur Program.
(2)
CY O'Connor ERADE Village
Foundation Inc – Project to directly connect agribusinesses with experts to
solve agriculture sector challenges.
(3)
Food, Fibre and Land
International Group Pty Ltd – Project to develop a hub for hemp growing and
research.
(4)
Curtin University – A project
to expand a week-long innovation platform celebrating innovation, investment
and entrepreneurship in WA.
(5)
KinChip Systems Pty Ltd – a
digital technology that uses an algorithm to deliver personalised support for
families of children with health or developmental challenges
(6)
Spacecubed Innovation Ltd – A
project to build coding capabilities for regionally based female entrepreneurs.