Innovation Connect Guidelines – Accelerating
Innovation
Introduction
Innovation Connect is an ACT Government grant program that provides matched-funding
support for smaller, mainly startup businesses and entrepreneurs to accelerate viable, innovative
ideas along the commercialisation pathway.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for an Innovation Connect grant a business must have:

an annual turnover of less than $2 million

operations based in Canberra

an Australian Business Number (ABN)
The business must also be prepared to enter into a formal agreement with the ACT Government.
A sample can be found on the Innovation Connect webpage.
Activities supported
Accelerating Innovation Grants support eligible companies with an innovative product or service
in the early stages of commercialisation. Activities include, but are not limited to:

participation in formalised commercialisation training

the seeking of advice or otherwise development of IP strategies

the establishment of advanced business processes

market testing an innovative product or service

mentoring
/ Innovation, Trade and Investment
/ ACT Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
/ www.business.act.gov.au
/ Innovation Connect Guidelines – Accelerating Innovation
/ Update 15.06.2015 / Page 1

the delivery of projects that link the technology and creative industry sectors
Innovation Connect funding cannot be used to support:

business set up costs

remuneration for the grantee or his or her employees

marketing and promotional activities

printing of promotional material including brochures and business cards

membership costs of industry organisations or groups

website design

business plans

travel or accommodation expenses

the purchase of hardware, equipment or consumables

expenses prior to signing the Deed of Grant
Assessment Criteria
Applications will be assessed against the extent to which they demonstrate that:

the project develops a product that is genuinely innovative in that it has the potential to
take advantage of new markets or disrupt existing markets

the applicant has and/or can access the necessary expertise to deliver the project and
continue to grow the business to achieve the longer term objectives stated in the
application

the applicant’s business growth as a result of the project will lead to Economic
Development benefits for the ACT and region
Funding
Accelerating Innovation grants range from $5,000 to $10,000.
Successful applicants may be awarded an amount other than your requested amount.
All Innovation Connect grants are awarded on a matched-funding basis. For example, if the
applicant is awarded funding of $10,000 then they are required to also contribute $10,000
towards the project. The matched-funding component can comprise of cash, in-kind or both.
In a 12 month period a business can apply for a maximum of $10,000 in the Accelerating
Innovation category.
/ Innovation, Trade and Investment
/ ACT Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
/ www.business.act.gov.au
/ Innovation Connect Guidelines – Accelerating Innovation
/ Update 15.06.2015 / Page 2
A business can apply for more than one category of Innovation Connect grants; however
concurrent grants cannot be funded. Your grant must be completed before another request for
funding can be considered.
Application Process
Accelerating Innovation applications are assessed as they are received. Businesses wishing to
apply for an Accelerating Innovation grant are required to contact a Client Manager.
If the proposed project has merit, a Formal Application template will be provided for completion.
There are no closing dates for the submission of the Formal Application. Once the Formal
Application form has been submitted applicants will be required to pitch to program decisionmakers.
Grant Payment
Funding support is milestone-based. It is recommended that you limit the number of individual
milestones to a maximum of four (4). You should consider what these will be when you are
preparing your application. The proposed date for each milestone must be achievable and the
activity measurable. The Innovation Connect Client Managers will be able to work with you to
determine suitable milestones.
Accelerating Innovation grants are reimbursement-based. The funded activities need to be paid
in advance and the reimbursement of this expenditure will occur at the satisfactory completion of
your individual milestones. You will be required to provide evidence of this expenditure such as
receipts, paid tax invoices and bank statements. This can be supported by photographs,
screenshots, diagrams and/or demonstrations where relevant.
Each milestone claim will require a comprehensive written report of activities undertaken,
outcomes achieved and whether objectives were met.
The milestone report must address all requirements of each particular milestone, and include
suitable evidence of its completion. A milestone report template will be provided to successful
applicants.
Timesheets will be required for all in-kind expenditure relating to you or your employee’s
professional services on the project.
The Innovation Connect Client Managers may request to inspect your project on-site throughout
the project duration, including as part of the milestone verification process.
You will require an ABN if your application is successful. This will enable you to invoice the ACT
Government at the completion of each milestone.
Innovation Connect Grant funding will not be paid until the ACT Government is satisfied the
milestone has been completed.
/ Innovation, Trade and Investment
/ ACT Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
/ www.business.act.gov.au
/ Innovation Connect Guidelines – Accelerating Innovation
/ Update 15.06.2015 / Page 3
In-kind support
Matched-funding refers to costs associated with the project that have not been funded by your
Innovation Connect grant. This can include in-kind support which is the non-cash contribution
you will make to the project.
This maybe the salaries paid to you and your employees for professional services on the project.
This needs to be verified by a timesheet recording the activity conducted, hours claimed and the
cost per hour.
In-kind salaries should be calculated on what is appropriate for the activity being conducted, not
what they believe they should be receiving.
Listing high in-kind salaries for employees when the organisation has minimal revenue may be
detrimental to your application.
Eligible in-kind support must be specific to the activities and expenses of the proposed project.
Further Information
If you require further information or assistance please contact the Innovation Connect Client
Managers on:
Phone:
(02) 6207 7215 or
13 22 81
Email:
brent.chick@act.gov.au or
business.mailbox@act.gov.au
/ Innovation, Trade and Investment
/ ACT Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
/ www.business.act.gov.au
/ Innovation Connect Guidelines – Accelerating Innovation
/ Update 15.06.2015 / Page 4