Innovative business program now open

The State Member for Wyong, David Harris is calling on local businesses across the Central Coast to apply for the MVP Ventures Program.

17 July 2024

 

THE Hon. David Harris Member for Wyong said, “The program offers grants to early-stage startups and small and medium enterprises to drive the commercialisation of new and highly innovative products or processes in NSW.”

 

“Individual grants of between $25,000 to $50,000 are available to successful recipients and will support businesses throughout their commercialisation journey.”

 

“Located on the Central Coast we have hidden businesses in our local areas doing amazing work locally and internationally by introducing new methods, ideas, or products,” said Mr Harris.

 

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said, “The NSW Labor Government is focused on nurturing innovation that can bring economic opportunity to this state by tackling our biggest challenges such as the transition to net zero.

 

“With grants of up to $50,000, the MVP Ventures Program provides much needed support to assist startups on their commercialisation journey while ensuring we attract and retain entrepreneurial talent in NSW,” said Mr Chanthivong.

 

A Newcastle-based startup developing technology that can turn organic waste into green hydrogen will accelerate its commercialisation plans after receiving funding through the NSW Government’s MVP Ventures Program.

 

EM Energy has developed the Organic Hydrogen Electrolyser Cell (OHEC), which produces green hydrogen from organic materials and eliminates the need for energy and heat in hydrogen generation. The technology has the potential to be a game-changer for clean energy production with around 95 per cent of hydrogen currently produced from fossil fuels.

 

EM Energy is continuing to test and validate the production of green hydrogen from the OHEC at the University of Newcastle.

 

The $50,000 MVP grant will support the patent of the technology internationally to open further investment opportunities.

 

Innovative businesses who successfully complete projects funded under the Program are permitted to reapply for additional funding to make further progress along the Technology Readiness Level scale. 

 

Details of the 2023/24 MVP Ventures Program grant recipients are available here.

 

Applications are now open for the 2024/25 funding round, with information on the program and how to apply are available here.

 

Applications close: 5pm AEDT, Friday 28 February 2025 (or until funding is exhausted, whichever occurs first).