Businesses and organisations can now apply for X-TEND WA funding at any time during the year.
A popular co-investment grants program, X-TEND WA invests (up to a maximum of $100,000 per program) alongside chosen organisations that deliver initiatives to assist and support WA’s innovation ecosystem. Up to now, grants were only available once a year, for new applicants.
The X-TEND WA program is part of the State Government’s newly topped-up $25.8 million New Industries Fund (NIF).
The State Government has committed $16.7 million to the NIF over four years (2021-2025) with an additional $9.1 million provided for 2023-25 to support the State’s Innovation Strategy and Innovation Action Plan.
Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson MLC
The most recent recipients were announced a few months ago, and included nine investor and entrepreneurship education programs that collectively received $680,000 in funding.
X-TEND extended…
As well as being open all year round, X-TEND WA now offers funding for initiatives that provide “broad ecosystem support” (a new stream), as well as “entrepreneurial capability” and “investor education“.
The ‘broader ecosystem support’ could range from assistance for co-working spaces, entrepreneurs in residence programs, incubators and innovation hubs that educate and build networks in Western Australia and promote a more diverse and inclusive innovation ecosystem.
Applications will be particularly welcomed for initiatives that aim to improve entrepreneurial and investor education for regional, female and indigenous entrepreneurs and innovators.
An evaluation panel will meet twice yearly to review the latest applications giving applicants two opportunities for funding.
“Giving entrepreneurs, founders and investors the opportunity to apply for X-TEND WA on their own time means they aren’t in danger of missing a funding window,” Minister Dawson.
The idea is to build “successful, sustainable and scalable businesses and confident investors”, said the Minister.
~~
- Learn more about X-TEND here
