The Industry Growth Program is providing crucial support to small and medium enterprises and startups, helping them commercialise innovative ideas and expand their businesses.
The program has recently allocated $21.2 million in matched grant funding to support 13 cutting-edge projects. These projects align with government priorities and aim to strengthen Australian manufacturing capabilities.
Among the funded initiatives, Xefco received nearly $5 million to manufacture its Ausora® systems, a technology that eliminates water and wastewater discharge from textile dyeing, offering a sustainable solution with global potential. ElectraLith was granted over $2 million to pilot a sustainable extraction and refining process for battery-grade lithium. Mako (formerly MicroTau) secured more than $3 million to develop in-house production of its shark skin-inspired film that reduces aircraft drag, improving fuel efficiency and lowering emissions.
Other projects include Number 8 Bio, which received nearly $1.8 million to scale production of BetterFeedPro, a feed supplement that reduces methane emissions, and Waglass, awarded over $1 million to commercialise a new glass recycling process diverting thousands of tonnes from landfill. Eyeonic and Smart Minds WA received smaller grants to advance AI-powered glaucoma testing and a blood-based Alzheimer’s diagnostic kit, respectively, both aimed at improving global healthcare access.
These grants follow participation in the Industry Growth Program’s Advisory Service, which has provided tailored advice to more than 2,000 businesses. The program continues to offer opportunities for innovation, scaling, and matched funding to bring ideas to market.
