Funding opportunities of up to $100,000 to support innovative small to medium enterprises based in Queensland to collaborate with corporate partners to develop commercialisation opportunities.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
What is the Private Sector Pathways Program (PSPP)?
The Private Sector Pathways (PSP) Program supports innovative small-to-medium enterprises based in Queensland to collaborate with corporate partners to develop commercialisation opportunities.
Small-to-medium businesses can receive up to $100,000 in funding from Advance Queensland and a corporate partner for solutions to be trialled for up to 6 months.
Current challenges:
- Challenge owner: Tourism Division, Department of Tourism and Sport
- Challenge statement: Enhance visitor experiences at any stage/s of the travel consumer journey
- Challenge owner: Tourism Division, Department of Tourism and Sport
- Unlock workforce capabilities for Queensland’s tourism sector
PSPP level of support
Grants
- Minimum amount – $50,000
- Maximum amount – $100,000
- Up to 100% of eligible project expenditure
Project costs greater than $100,000 may be negotiated on a case by case basis.
PSPP important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest here with GrantHelper
PSPP objectives
The program aims to increase partnerships between small-to-medium enterprises and corporate businesses/large organisations, improving business solutions and business collaboration.
Eligibility requirements for PSPP support
Applicant location Applicants (SME/Scaleup)
- must be a Queensland-based business (ABN must be registered in Queensland), with the project undertaken within the State.
Applicant Organisation relationship to Participating Corporates (Challenge Owners)
- Applicants that have had previous commercial contracts from the participating corporate are not eligible to apply. The PSP program intends to provide new opportunities for Applicants to work with participating corporates.
Large businesses and the PSP program
- To participate, your Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employee count must be below 200. The intent of the PSP is to assist Queensland Small to Medium (SME) businesses to scale-up and secure corporates as clients.
Research organisations and researcher applications
- Research organisations and researchers from universities are not eligible to apply. The PSP program is looking for products/solutions ready for market, therefore ongoing research and development expenses will not be eligible.
- Businesses in Queensland with research and development activities included in their proposed solution will need to demonstrate how this will value add to their solution and be conscious of the project timeframes.
Joint applications
- Applicants can work with partners during the PSP program, however applications must be submitted by a primary entity.
- Applicants should provide the details of their partners in their application and are responsible for ensuring that their partners comply with the terms of participation.
Targeted businesses
- The PSP is targeted at established businesses to scale-up and/or pivot to new industries.
Corporate eligibility
- Organisations must have an office in Queensland.
- Be a legal entity and hold an active ABN or Australian Registered Body Number.
- Corporate pays tax in Australia and employs staff in Queensland.
- Ideally operates within one of the priority industry sectors such as advanced manufacturing, hydrogen, bio-futures, biomedical, defence, aerospace, space, resource recovery and METS.
- Have obtained internal approval to make the application, including approval to co-fund all project costs not covered by financial assistance provided through the program.
- Have the financial ability to deliver the project.
Applicant eligibility
- Queensland registered ABN and be registered for GST.
- Be an established Queensland-based startup or small to medium enterprise with full time equivalent employee count below 200.
- Applicants must have a product, which is at, or beyond, minimum viable product – being developed in Queensland.
- Applicants that have had previous commercial contracts from the participating corporate are not eligible to apply. The PSP program intends to provide new opportunities for Applicants to work with participating corporates.
See the guidelines for full details of organisations eligible for PSPP support.
Other PSPP important details that you will need to know
PSPP assessment process and criteria
Applications assessment process
- Participating corporates (Challenge Owner) will assemble evaluation panels, including Advance Queensland staff, to assess the applications. These panels may include technical, operational, policy and commercial experts. Full evaluation criteria are included in each challenge statement and SmartyGrants application form.
Tender specifications
- Rather than seeking a specific product or service, the PSP Program focuses on what the challenge is and invites Queensland businesses to propose how they think it could be solved.
- Instead of tender specifications, PSP challenges are outcome focussed, and set out what a solution should deliver, and what technical and/or regulatory requirements a solution needs to meet.
Innovative solution
- An innovative solution can include new or significantly improved products, processes or systems; or by applying existing products, processes or systems in a novel way.
Minimum Viable Product
- A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a product or service that is beyond initial proof of concept/prototype stage and has been tested with potential customers.
- See the diagram within the guidelines to determine what stage of development your product or service is at in relation to achieving MVP.
Criteria 1: Addresses the Challenge
- will provide a solution to a real and defined Challenge facing a Corporate partner
- will be innovative and involve new to market technology; or novel application of existing technology;
- is developed and delivered in Queensland; and
- is likely to address the Challenge and provide a successful solution to the Challenge for the Corporate partner.
Criteria 2: Capability to Deliver & Project Viability
- the experience, skills and capacity to deliver the project to achieve the proposed solution;
- the right to use necessary intellectual property in delivery of the proposed solution; and
- identified key project risks and risk mitigation strategies.
- the project is well planned and achievable within the Challenge timeframe.
Criteria 3: Technology/Market readiness
- use a product already at Minimum Viable Product stage and has been tested with potential users; or
- use a product which is in market already and has customers.
- the proposed solution will demonstrate if the product could create new market opportunities.
Criteria 4: Fair Market Value
- The proposed solution will be achieved within a proposed project budget which represents fair market value.
See the guidelines for full details of the assessment process and criteria.
How do I get the PSPP?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Deliver the project as outlined in the application.
- Provide complete information requirements.
Information to prepare for the PSPP application
Prepare information responses to the following:
- Applicant Organisation Name
- Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Applicant Organisation Type
- How many Queensland FTEs does the applicant organisation employ?
- Applicant Organisation Street Address
- Applicant Organisation Postal Address
- Applicant Organisation Website
- Is the Applicant Organisation headquartered outside of South-East Queensland?
- Does the Applicant Organisation have any existing contracts, grant agreements, partnerships or other engagements with the Queensland Government?
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the PSPP
Applications are submitted online, through the SmartyGrants platform.
Register your interest here with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
PSPP resources
- Source
- Guidelines
- Enhance visitor experiences at any stage/s of the travel consumer journey (PDF, 355KB)
- Unlock workforce capabilities for Queensland’s tourism sector (PDF, 294KB)
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