NSW Deep Tech Commercialisation Training Program (DTCTP)

Total available: $900,000 (ex GST) across three years ($300,000 p.a.)
Payment timing: paid in three tranches (June 2026, June 2027, June 2028) subject to reporting and KPIs.
Delivery period: July 2026 – June 2029.
Applications close: April 23 2026

The Deep Tech Commercialisation Training Program (DTCTP) supports entrepreneurship and commercialisation skills development in NSW by funding a NSW-based startup incubator or accelerator to deliver a statewide deep tech commercialisation training pipeline for NSW entrepreneurs. The program is administered by the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE) within the Premier’s Department and is intended to help entrepreneurs refine market strategy, identify customers, scale, and attract additional public and private investment.

The delivery model is flexible but should be NSW-wide, equitable and inclusive (including tailored support for regional/remote, women and Aboriginal entrepreneurs), and include mentoring, networks, at least one annual ecosystem-facing showcase event, outreach to build a participant pipeline, and monitoring/evaluation with KPIs and annual reporting

Key Requirements

Statewide deep tech commercialisation pipeline: Deliver an NSW-wide pipeline supporting early-stage entrepreneurs from idea/early validation to credible commercialisation momentum, reducing early failure risk and progressing toward follow-on funding (public/private capital).
Target cohort: Support NSW-based entrepreneurs (residing or employed in NSW) commercialising deep tech products or ideas in NSW.
Delivery model and accessibility: Propose a delivery model across various maturity levels, avoid duplicating other free market services, and ensure training is free to participating entrepreneurs (fees only in exceptional circumstances).
Deep-tech relevant content: Provide practical support reflecting deep tech realities (e.g., longer R&D cycles, prototyping, pilots/field tests, hardware/manufacturing pathways, research translation), with content such as market discovery, customer validation, IP strategy, commercial pathways, capital raising, pilots/field tests, and sector-specific pathways.
Equity and inclusion: Demonstrate equitable and inclusive delivery, including tailoring for new, regional/remote NSW, women and Aboriginal entrepreneurs and addressing barriers to participation.
Mentors, networks, community: Build structured connections to mentors/experts/peers/alumni and show how these connections drive participant progression (e.g., validation, pilots, investor readiness, grant readiness).
Showcase/event(s): Include at least one annual ecosystem-facing event (demo day/showcase/graduation) to connect participants with the broader ecosystem and celebrate progress.
Communications and pipeline-building: Implement outreach to sustain a participant pipeline and drive uptake/completion across NSW over the program term.
Measurement, reporting, governance: Propose monitoring and evaluation with KPIs and annual reporting (including a public-facing summary), plus governance arrangements supporting transparent decisions, conflict management and continuous improvement

What is eligible for funding?

Design and deliver a statewide deep tech commercialisation training program for NSW-based entrepreneurs (via an incubator/accelerator).
Provide training, coaching/mentoring and community-building that supports commercialisation capability uplift and progression.
Build and manage mentor/expert networks and participant pathways to follow-on grants/capital.
Run at least one annual ecosystem-facing showcase event (e.g., demo day/showcase/graduation).
Conduct communications and outreach to sustain a pipeline of participants across NSW.
Monitor, evaluate and report on program delivery and outcomes in collaboration with OCSE, including KPIs and annual reporting.
Eligible expenditure conditions: 100% of grant funding must be spent in NSW and applicants must provide a detailed expense breakdown (evidence may be requested)

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligible applicants must:

Be a legal entity able to enter a funding agreement.
Hold an ABN and be registered for GST.
Be based in NSW.
Be commercially viable and financially sustainable.
Hold (or obtain before executing the agreement) Public Liability Insurance ≥ $10M and Professional Indemnity Insurance ≥ $10M.

Other considerations:

100% of grant funds must be spent in NSW.
The program is intended to fund a NSW startup incubator or accelerator to deliver the training pipeline
Applications must be submitted through the nominated online form and include required attachments (e.g., insurances, financial viability evidence, program proposal, governance/risk, budget and KPIs).

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

Industry analysis presentation
Competitor Analysis Presentation
Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.

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