Ignite Spark Program QLD

Purpose and Program Overview

The Ignite Spark Program QLD is an initiative by Advance Queensland designed to fund innovative Queensland businesses. Its primary purpose is to support the further improvement of new products or services, ensuring they become ready for market.

The program aims to create a pipeline of new and innovative products and services for market entry. It seeks to strengthen key industries in Queensland, diversify the Queensland economy, and engage and benefit regional Queensland.

This initiative plays a role in fostering innovation-driven enterprises. It helps businesses develop their products or services, preparing them for customer trials and ultimately, commercialisation, leading to new job creation.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount or funding range: $50,000 to $75,000 (excluding GST).
• Application open and close dates: Applications for recent rounds have closed. New rounds may open periodically.
• Eligible industries or business types: Queensland-based innovation-driven enterprises, including Indigenous businesses, with high-growth potential.
• Required co-contributions: Yes, a cash contribution is required.
  • For applicants headquartered in South East Queensland, there is 20% matched funding.
  • For Indigenous businesses and/or applicants headquartered in a Queensland region (outside South East Queensland): 10% matched funding.
• Location/state/territory applicability: Queensland. Businesses must be headquartered in Queensland.

Priority Sectors

The Ignite Spark Program is open to a broad range of innovative industries. The focus is on businesses that are creating new products or services, contributing to the strengthening of key industries and diversification of the Queensland economy. It also supports explicitly innovation in the Indigenous context.

Funding Scope

• Minimum and maximum amounts per stream: The program offers funding between $50,000 and $75,000 per stream. There are no separate streams with different funding amounts.
• Categories or streams of funding: The funding supports projects aimed at developing, testing, and market validating pre-market-ready products or services. Successful applicants may also be eligible for additional business development support through the Ignite+ program.
• Project timeline or eligible funding duration: Projects can be funded for up to 12 months.

Eligibility Criteria

• Business structure or size: Queensland-based business. Must have no more than 50 full-time-equivalent employees.
• Registered business location: Must be headquartered in Queensland, with an ABN registered in Queensland as the central business location.
• Minimum/maximum turnover: Not specified.
• Insurance or compliance obligations: Not explicitly detailed, but standard business insurances and compliance are expected.
• ABN/GST status: Must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST).
• Other requirements:
  • Must have an existing functional prototype for a product or service that is scalable to meet market demand.
  • Must demonstrate that the product or service is ready to be validated in an industrially or operationally relevant environment.
  • Must demonstrate that the product or service is not currently in the market.
  • Cannot have received funding for the proposed project activity from any level of government (state, federal, or local).

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The Ignite Spark Program supports activities and expenses directly related to progressing innovative products or services closer to market readiness. Eligible activities include:

• Developing innovative solutions to existing problems.
• Developing new-to-the-world innovations.
• Innovation diffusion (unique application of technology significantly different from previous market innovations).
• Innovation in the Indigenous context.
• Activities to support the development of the product or service over a period of up to 12 months.

Specific eligible expenses may include salary expenditure for employees directly contributing to the project, services from external parties, equipment (up to $9,000 per item), consumables, and costs related to intellectual property protection.

Assessment Process

The Ignite Spark Program is a competitive grant program. A judging panel assesses applications.

Key evaluation criteria will likely include:

• The innovative nature of the product or service.
• The project has the potential to create a pipeline of new products and services for market entry.
• The project’s alignment with strengthening key Queensland industries and diversifying the economy.
• The business’s capability to deliver the project and its potential for job creation.
• The readiness of the prototype for validation and market entry.

Recent Program Updates

Applications for recent rounds of the Ignite Spark Program are closed. New funding rounds are periodically announced. Businesses should monitor the official Advance Queensland website for future opportunities. Successful applicants to the Ignite Spark Program may also gain eligibility for the Ignite+ business development support program.

Application Tips

Consider these points for your application:

• Double-check all eligibility criteria for the specific round to ensure you meet the requirements.
• Ensure your prototype is functional, scalable, and ready for validation.
• Clearly articulate the innovative aspect of your product or service and its market potential.
• Provide a detailed project plan and budget, demonstrating your cash co-contribution.
• Highlight how your project will contribute to Queensland’s economy and job creation.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting with a professional grant specialist, such as Pattens Group. We offer initial assessments to review your business’s eligibility and evaluate how well your project aligns with the grant’s objectives. You can also visit relevant government websites for application templates and further guidance.