The Australian Government is strengthening support for startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through the Industry Growth Program, designed to help innovative businesses overcome challenges in bringing their ideas to market. Recognizing the vital role SMEs and startups play in driving economic growth, the program offers tailored advisory services and matched funding grants to support projects in their critical development stages.
Among the successful projects in the latest funding round are pioneering initiatives in health, renewable technologies, and advanced manufacturing. These include the development of an implant system that produces bone fillers for orthopaedic surgeries, a sustainable battery recycling process that recovers minerals from lithium-ion batteries, and the creation of a specialised hydrofoil boat for pilot transport designed and built in Australia.
The Industry Growth Program continues to provide ongoing opportunities for eligible businesses to apply for advisory services. To qualify, projects must align with the government’s National Reconstruction Fund priority areas and contribute to strengthening Australia’s manufacturing capability. Recently, the program achieved a significant milestone with its advisory service delivering its 1,000th report, underlining its growing impact on the country’s innovation landscape.
