Grants up to $50,000 to support eligible Western Australian-based startups and small businesses to help overcome barriers to commercialisation of their innovative ideas or projects.
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 Innovation Booster Grant funding?
The Innovation Booster Grant supports projects that refine, validate, certify and commercialise innovative products and services. The program is designed to help startups and SMEs:
- Develop or enhance commercially ready products and services.
- Test, validate, or certify a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
- Procure specialist consultancy services for IP protection, marketing, or commercialisation.
- Solve technical problems that cannot be addressed in-house.
Applications that align with one or more of the priority sectors in the State’s Diversify WA economic diversification framework will be given preference. See the resources section below for details.
Innovation Booster Grant level of support
Grants
- Maximum grant: $50,000 per application.
Matched funding requirement (cash contribution):
- 15% – Applicants headquartered in regional WA.
- 15% – First Nations founded businesses (also eligible for grant-writing support).
- 15% – Female founded businesses.
- 20% – All other applicants
Innovation Booster Grant important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Innovation Booster Grant outcomes
Intended outcomes include:
- More WA-based businesses progressing to commercialisation.
- Increased number of commercially ready products in WA.
- Greater job creation and industry diversification.
- WA positioned as a global location of choice for innovation
Expenditure eligible for Innovation Booster Grant support
Eligible expenditure categories:
- Research & Development – compliance testing, product validation, laboratory verification, certification.
- Product Development – engineering design, MVP builds.
- Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property – IP protection, legal advice, licensing.
- Commercialisation Support Services – consulting, commercialisation strategies, feasibility studies, and financial support (e.g. tax incentive advice, capital raising strategies)
Ineligible Expenditures
- Training courses.
- Hardware/software purchases for standard business operations.
- Business and strategic planning.
- Marketing/promotional materials (unless tied to commercialisation).
- Business-as-usual website development.
- Facility maintenance or general operating costs
Other Innovation Booster Grant important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Innovation Booster Grant support
To apply, applicants must:
- Be registered in WA with a current ABN/ACN.
- Employ 1–20 staff (includes sole traders, partnerships, non-profits).
- Have a total project budget under $100,000.
- Not have raised significant capital (≥$5 million).
- Be solvent and financially able to provide co-contribution.
- Commit to remaining based in WA for at least three years.
- Not have previously received IBG funding for the same project.
Innovation Booster Grant assessment criteria
Applications are scored (max 50 points) against five equally weighted criteria:
- Innovation — uniqueness, customer problem solved, IP protection.
- Need for funding — funding gaps, how the grant will progress the project.
- Competitive advantage — cost, features, market differentiation.
- Capacity & resources — skills of team, service providers, and mentors.
- Impact & alignment — job creation, industry/customer benefits, alignment with Diversify WA priority sectors.
Scoring scale:
-
0–2: Poor | 3–5: OK | 6–7: Good | 8–10: Outstanding
Final funding decisions are made by the Minister for Science and Innovation, whose decision is final.
How do I get the Innovation Booster Grant?
To be successful, applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines and confirm they meet all eligibility requirements.
- Clearly demonstrate how their project aligns with at least one of WA’s priority sectors under Diversify WA.
- Show that their innovation refines, validates, certifies, or commercialises a product/service that solves a customer problem and has market differentiation.
- Explain why grant funding is necessary (e.g. funding gaps, inability to progress without support).
- Provide evidence of the project’s capacity and resources, including team capability, service providers, mentors, and matched funding.
- Highlight the expected impact: job creation, industry/customer benefits, new markets, or future investment potential.
Information to prepare for the Innovation Booster Grant application
Applicants must provide:
- Forecasted Expenditure spreadsheet (available on grant webpage).
- Project Plan and evidence of matched funding.
- Up to two diagrams/images of the innovation (drawings, screenshots, photos).
- Quotes from service providers (where relevant).
Applications must be for new projects not yet commenced.
Applying for the Innovation Booster Grant
Submit application via innovationbooster.grantplatform.com.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Innovation Booster Grant resources
Is Your Business Eligible for This Government Grant?
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