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Advance Queensland Ignite Spark Program

EOI applications for Round 2 are open until 22 April 2024.
Funding ranging from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $75,000 is available for projects lasting up to 12 months. To access this funding, applicant organisations are required to provide a matched funding contribution, as outlined in Key Requirements.

Ignite Spark Program supports Queensland's innovative enterprises to advance the development of pioneering products or services toward market readiness. This program targets small to medium-sized enterprises in Queensland with significant growth potential, aiding them in moving highly innovative products or services closer to the minimum viable product stage. It operates alongside the Advance Queensland Ignite Ideas Fund, which supports projects aiming to commercialise innovative products or services already at or beyond the minimum viable product stage.

Key Requirements

The Ignite Spark Program strives to cultivate a support network for Queensland’s innovation-driven enterprises, guiding innovative products or services from prototype development through testing, validation, customer approval, and advancement toward commercialisation.

Its goals include:

enhancing key industries in Queensland
broadening the Queensland economy
empowering Queensland businesses to vie in both domestic and international markets
involving and benefiting regional Queensland
generating new jobs across Queensland, both presently and in the future.

Successful applicant organisations will gain eligibility for incubator services and other business development support through an extended Ignite+ program.

Funding ranging from $50,000 (minimum) to $75,000 (maximum), excluding GST, is on offer for projects lasting up to 12 months. Applicants must provide matched funding contributions, as detailed below:

Tier 1: Organisations based in South East Queensland must contribute 20% of the funding.
Tier 2: Indigenous or regional businesses must contribute 10% of the funding.

The program operates on a two-stage application process.

Firstly, applicants submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), followed by a Full Application stage for shortlisted EOI candidates.
All applicants will be notified in writing regarding the outcome of their EOI application via the email address provided in the application form.

What is eligible for funding?

Within this program, projects must involve the development of an innovative product or service in one or more of the following areas:

innovative solutions addressing existing challenges
novel innovations not previously seen
unique applications of technology, significantly distinct from previous market offerings
innovations within Indigenous contexts, identified by applicants as culturally and community-oriented innovations.

To be eligible for funding, projects must:

have an operational prototype for a scalable product or service
demonstrate readiness for validation in relevant industry or operational settings
confirm absence of current market presence for the product or service.

Funding from the Ignite Spark Program, along with contributions from applicant organisations, can cover various eligible project expenses, including:

salary expenditure for employees directly involved in project delivery (capped at 20% of total project cost)
minor market-driven modifications, including those resulting from validation testing
industry compliance testing and product accreditation
product validation, including design for manufacturing and small-scale production of prototypes
third-party technical services for testing, validation, and design review
intellectual property protection advice and related costs
equipment (up to $9,000 per item, capped at 10% of total project cost)
consumables specific to project activities
travel costs (economy airfares and reasonable accommodation) limited to 10% of total project cost
overseas testing and validation expenses if suitable facilities are unavailable in Australia
reasonable freight or transport expenses for testing or validation support.

What companies are eligible for funding?

To qualify for funding, applicant organisations must, throughout the project:

operate as a Queensland-based business
hold an ABN
be GST-registered (by Full Application submission)
employ no more than 50 full-time-equivalent staff
not be a subsidiary of a group with over 50 full-time-equivalent employees
not have received government funding for the proposed project
commit cash equal to 10% (Tier 2) or 20% (Tier 1) of the funding sought
matched funding can come from internal sources or investors but cannot include Queensland Government grants
in-kind or non-cash contributions are ineligible as matched funding
limit one application per funding round per organisation and its affiliates.

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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