The Queensland government has given over $5.5 million to 56 local small businesses. These funds are meant to help them create new and better products and services.
There are two programs: the Ignite Ideas Fund and the Ignite Spark Program. The Ideas Fund gives up to $200,000 to businesses to help them get their products ready for the market. The Spark Program gives up to $75,000 to businesses to improve their prototypes.
Spearheaded by the Miles Government, the Ignite Ideas Fund and the Ignite Spark Program are pivotal in nurturing Queensland’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Minister for the Environment, the Great Barrier Reef, and Science and Innovation, the Honourable Leanne Linard, underscores the government’s commitment to fostering innovation among Queensland’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“This funding demonstrates our unwavering support for Queensland’s innovators, empowering them to realize their visions and drive economic growth,” Minister Linard affirms.
In its latest round, the Ignite Ideas Fund sees 26 businesses sharing $3.3 million in grants. Projects range from ‘You After X,’ a pioneering mobile app offering support to women navigating separation or divorce, to ‘Clean&Recover,’ aiding mining companies in transforming waste streams into valuable assets.
The inaugural round of the Ignite Spark Program allocates $2.2 million across 30 enterprises, facilitating the advancement of innovative products and services toward market integration. Projects like ‘Attunga,’ a tethered drone enhancing rural communication networks, and innovative UltravioletC water sterilization devices for health and aged care facilities, demonstrate the program’s diverse impact.
Selina Millers, Founder of The Split, the company behind the ‘You After X’ project, expresses gratitude for the Ignite Ideas funding, emphasizing its transformative potential.
“With this support, we’re poised to extend our services to women across Queensland, Australia, and beyond, offering a lifeline to those navigating the challenging and lonely terrain of separation or divorce. “This funding will make a tangible difference in the lives of countless women, granting them access to the support and guidance they need to navigate this tumultuous chapter with resilience and self-care.
“By harnessing the POWERHOUSE Method, our app equips users with practical tools and emotional support, empowering them to not just survive, but thrive, post-separation. “With the Queensland Government’s backing, we’re on track to revolutionize how women approach this transition, fostering a community of strength, courage, and empowerment.”
More information on the Ignite Spark Program, including on how to apply for funding in its second funding round, is available at Ignite Spark Program | Advance Queensland.
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