// Due COVID-19, the State Government has extended the application deadline for their Innovation Vouchers Program to April 1st.
Earlier this year, we reported on the State Government launching applications for the 2020-21 round of their Innovation Vouchers Program.
However, circumstances have drastically changed over the past month, with the State Government’s New Industries Fund acknowledging the negative impacts the current COVID-19 pandemic will have on small to medium enterprises (SMEs).
As a result, the New Industries Fund have announced they will be extending the deadline for their program, allowing you more time to get your application in.
Applications for the 2020-21 round opened in late February, and were originally meant to close on Wednesday 25 March. Applications will now close on Wednesday 1 April 2020 at 11am AWST.
What is it?
The Innovation Vouchers Program is a State Government initiative aiming to provide assistance to small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in Western Australia.
The WA Government recognises that SMEs have great ideas, but that taking these ideas and turning them into new and sustainable business opportunities with real commercial outcomes can be difficult.
New Industries WA
The program provides funding of up to $20,000 vouchers to eligible SMEs. This will help them to overcome barriers leading to the commercialisation of their ideas, promoting job creation and economic diversification.
Recipients will need to provide a net cash co-investment at a rate of at least 20:80 applicant-to-State Government funding. So if you ask for the full $20K then you have to provide $5K in cash.
How to apply
Although the deadline for applications have been extended by an additional week, New Industries WA urges potential SMEs not leave it to the last minute.
Before you apply, be sure to read the guidelines for eligibility, which can be found here.
You can complete the application through the online portal here.
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For more information on the application process, please contact innovationvouchers@jtsi.wa.gov.au.
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