The government is giving away $6.7 million to share between 14 Tasmanian organisations as part of a program designed to “unlock Australia’s innovative potential”.
The minister for innovation, industry, science and research, Senator Kim Carr, together with Tasmania’s minister for economic development, Michael Aird, said the money will be donated as part of the fourth round of the Intelligent Island Market Access and Partnership Program (MAPP).
“MAPP is assisting the Tasmanian information and communication technology (ICT) sector to develop innovative capabilities and products for Australia and the global market,” said Carr.
“If we are serious about unlocking Australia’s innovation potential, we have to develop enabling technologies like ICT. In Tasmania, MAPP is making a significant contribution to helping companies meet this challenge.”
MAPP has funded $18 million all up to 32 ICT organisations in Tasmania. The funding is granted to assist companies develop products for export interstate and overseas.
Applications for the grant are assessed by an independent industry-based panel with experience in all areas of commercialization, according to Carr.
Aird said the round four projects represented the diverse capabilities of Tasmanian businesses in the ICT sector.
“These projects will contribute to the Intelligent Island program’s objective of achieving long-term, sustainable growth in the state’s ICT industry,” he said.
“The successful commercial grants offered to companies cover software development, commercialisation, and market expansion across the finance, e learning, e-health and aged-care industries.”
The round includes three special grants:
• peak body TasICT has been funded to support the delivery of a Tasmanian ICT Industry Annual Conference, improve and maintain an ICT Directory and provide skill-matching services;
• In-tellinc was funded to help deliver a series of sales workshops for Tasmanian ICT companies; and
• the very successful Knowledge to Business Program was given additional funding to place marketing graduates in ICT companies.
Companies funded over the 18 months since MAPP’s inception have already generated revenue for the state exceeding $7 million and created 105 new jobs, says Carr.
For more information about the MAPP program and other business assistance, contact the Tasmanian Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s Business Point on 1800 440 026.