Launch of new programme services and changes to programme eligibility

The Entrepreneurs’ Infrastructure Programme is the Australian Government’s flagship initiative for business competitiveness and productivity at the firm level. The Programme, together with the Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda outlines the government’s new Industry Policy, refocussing national efforts to build on our strengths, driving excellence and capability in sectors with the most economic potential.

It forms part of the Australian Government’s new industry policy outlined in the Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda. This Agenda is a business-focused element of the Australian Government’s broader Economic Action Strategy and brings together and builds upon other economic reforms to make the most of Australia’s strengths and business opportunities.

The Accelerating Commercialisation element of the programme opened to applications today. The Business Management element of the programme was also expanded to offer two new services, Supply Chain Facilitation and Business Growth Services.

Accelerating Commercialisation is an advisory service which will help Australian entrepreneurs, researchers, inventors, start-ups, Commercialisation Offices and small and medium enterprises address the challenges associated with commercialising novel intellectual property in the form of new products, processes and/or services.

Supply Chain Facilitation provides services for small and medium businesses to improve their capability to interact with and supply into new and existing markets and to facilitate individual business access to supply chain opportunities in key growth sectors.

Business Growth Services supports eligible high growth potential businesses over an extended engagement of up to two years, to develop and embed capabilities, knowledge and strategies to accelerate growth.

These services, build upon the Business Evaluation and Business Growth Grantservices and grants that were launched (as a part of the Business Management element of the programme) on 1 July 2014 and the Research Connections element of the programme which was launched on 1 September 2014.

Coupled with this launch, changes have occurred to these existing programme elements and services to better define which businesses meet relevant sectoral eligibility requirements and the types of businesses which can apply for services. Changes have also been made to allow for Business Growth Grants to co-fund the implementation of recommendations from a broader range of services, including services through Supply Chain Facilitation and Business Growth Services.