New Industries and Innovation Fund: Commercialisation Bridge Grant

Purpose and Program Overview

The Commercialisation Bridge Grant (CBG) is a competitive Western Australian Government grant, funded through the $40 million New Industries and Innovation Fund (NIIF). The primary purpose of the grant is to assist WA-based innovators in bridging the funding gap between early commercialisation and ‘breakthrough growth,’ ultimately helping them become sustainable, profitable, and scalable businesses.

The grant is a key tool in delivering against Western Australia’s Innovation Strategy and the economic development framework, Diversify WA. Objectives include strengthening commercialised products, building globally-focused, innovative businesses based in WA, and creating jobs to assist in the diversification of the state’s economy.

The intended outcomes are that more innovation-driven startups will build the necessary capabilities (product, team, IP, and commercialisation readiness) to scale their innovation, transition into global businesses with sustainable revenue, and overcome barriers to securing further investment.

Key Grant Details

Key details for the Commercialisation Bridge Grant (CBG) are as follows:

• Grant amount or funding range: Matching grants are available between $50,000 and $250,000.
• Application open and close dates: Applications are currently Open and close on Friday 24 October 2025, 4:00 pm (AWST).
• Eligible entities: WA-based small enterprises and startups employing between 1 and 50 people.
• Required co-contributions: Yes, matched funding is required. The standard requirement is a 35% co-contribution from the applicant. This requirement is reduced to 25% for targeted cohorts (regional WA-headquartered, First Nations founded, and female founded businesses).
• Location/state/territory applicability: Strictly limited to businesses headquartered and registered in Western Australia (WA) that commit to being based in WA for the next three years.

Priority Sectors

The grant targets innovation-driven small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups in Western Australia across various sectors.

Specific focus is placed on enhancing diversity and regional capacity through reduced co-contribution requirements for the following cohorts:

• Businesses headquartered in Regional WA.
• First Nations founded businesses.
• Female founded businesses.

Funding Scope

The CBG provides matched funding specifically for advancing the readiness of a commercialised product or service toward sustainability and scale.

• Minimum and maximum amounts: The grant floor is $50,000 and the ceiling is $250,000.
• Categories of funding: Funding can be used for projects or items that develop four core areas:
  • Product Readiness: Testing, validation, machining, and tooling.
  • Team Readiness: Hiring experienced C-suite personnel, developing an advisory board.
  • IP Readiness: Legal/professional advice, protection of intellectual property.
  • Commercialisation Readiness: Innovation management, consulting services, and export readiness.
• Project timeline or eligible funding duration: Not explicitly specified, but projects must align with the goal of scaling the business toward sustainability.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following mandatory criteria to be considered for the grant:

• Location/Registration: Must be a WA-based startup or small business, and must be registered in WA. Must commit to remaining based in WA for the next three years.
• Business Size: Must be employing between 1 and 50 people.
• Financial Status: Must be solvent.
• Trading/Capital: Must have a trading history of 6 months or more and must not have previously raised significant capital.
• ABN/ACN: Must have a current Australian Business Number (ABN) and/or Australian Company Number (ACN).

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The grant funds non-capital expenditure items critical to business and commercial development, rather than routine operations.

Eligible Activities and Expenses include:

• R&D/Testing: Product testing, validation, laboratory verification, and machining/tooling costs.
• Hiring/Training: Costs associated with hiring experienced C-suite personnel or developing an advisory board.
• IP Protection: Expenses for legal and other professional advice for protecting intellectual property.
• Consulting/Market Development: Costs for innovation management and consulting services, and export readiness activities.

Assessment Process

The Commercialisation Bridge Grant (CBG) is a Competitive Government Grant. Applications are assessed on their merit and ability to meet the program’s objectives.

Key evaluation criteria are based on the grant’s purpose, which includes:

• Sustainability and Scalability: The strength of the commercialised product/service and its potential to transition into a sustainable, profitable, and globally-focused scalable business.
• Strategic Alignment: The potential to build a globally-focused, innovative business and contribute to job creation and economic diversification in WA.
• Capability Building: How effectively the funding addresses gaps in product, team, IP, and commercialisation readiness.

Recent Program Updates

The 2025 round incorporated several important updates to enhance the program and encourage diversity:

• Increased Maximum Grant: The maximum grant amount increased from $200,000 to $250,000.
• Reduced Co-contribution: The standard matched funding requirement was significantly reduced from 50% to 35%.
• Targeted Co-contribution: Matched funding requirements for targeted cohorts (Regional WA, First Nations, and Female founded businesses) were further reduced from 50% to 25%.

Application Tips

Applicants should focus on demonstrating a clear path to market and sustained growth following the grant period:

• Quantify Readiness Gaps: Clearly articulate the specific deficiencies in product, team, IP, or commercialisation readiness that the grant funds will address, and demonstrate how this will unlock the next stage of growth.
• Confirm Co-Funding: Ensure matched funding is secured and clearly detail the co-contribution ratio (35% or 25%) in the application, highlighting if the business qualifies for the lower 25% rate.
• Demonstrate WA Commitment: Provide a clear commitment to remaining headquartered in Western Australia for the full three-year period following the grant.
• Focus on Global Potential: Frame the proposal as building a globally-focussed, innovative business, directly aligning with the program’s objective to diversify the WA economy.

Where to get help

Consider consulting a grant specialist for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact Pattens Group today, and we will connect you with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the program’s official website and other associated Australian government websites.