Innovation Connect Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs) – Proof of Technology
Overview
These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are intended to provide you with guidance and
additional information on completing your Innovation Connect video pitch, Formal Application
forms and managing your grant under the Proof of Technology funding category of the
Innovation Connect grant program.
FAQs
Eligibility
I registered my business in the ACT but have since moved interstate am I eligible to
apply?
No. Innovation Connect is an ACT Government initiative using tax-payer funds and there needs
to be demonstrable benefits to the ACT and the local economy. Therefore the business needs to
be based in the ACT with the project’s activities occurring in the ACT and surrounds.
Do I need to have an ABN to receive a grant?
Yes. An agreement between the ACT Government and successful grant recipients can’t be
entered into unless the recipient has a registered business. For the ACT Government to pay
successful grant recipients an ABN is required for taxation purposes. Applicants may submit
evidence of an ABN application if confirmation of an ABN has not come through at the time of
Innovation Connect application.
Assessment Criteria
What criteria is my application assessed against?
Applications will be assessed against the following criteria, (explanatory notes are in italics):

the project develops a product that is genuinely innovative in that it has the potential to
take advantage of new markets or disrupt existing markets
/ Innovation, Trade and Investment
/ ACT Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
/ www.business.act.gov.au
/ Innovation Connect Frequently Asked Questions – Proof of Technology
/ Update 11.04.2016 / Page 1
Innovation Connect is designed to maximise the benefits of the grant funding it issues by
favouring products that are likely to grow a business rapidly due to a lack of immediate
competition and may struggle to obtain funding from commercial sources due to the
inherent risks in new products.

the applicant has and/or can access the necessary expertise to deliver the project and
continue to grow the business to achieve the longer term objectives stated in the
application
An applicant who has access to the necessary expertise demonstrated through
experience in related fields (domain expertise) will be more competitive in an Innovation
Connect process.

the applicant’s business growth as a result of the project will lead to Economic
Development benefits for the ACT and region
See issues to consider when addressing this criteria under “Formal Application Content”
below

there is a genuine need for the funding and that the project is less likely to be completed
or will be significantly delayed without the funding
Companies that are deemed to have access to capital or other resources (for example
from a parent company) will be prioritised accordingly.
Application Process
Do I need to submit a video pitch?
Yes. The short 90 second video pitch that is created not only serves the purpose of applying for
Innovation Connect funding, it assists the applicant to practice their pitching and produces basic
content that the applicant will be able to use through other channels. Any video capture
hardware and software can be used to produce a video, as long as the final product is uploaded
to a YouTube channel and the URL referenced in the EOI application form. Only the content of
the pitch and not the quality of the video, acting displayed or images used you will be assessed.
Applicants that experience technical difficulties in producing a video are encouraged to contact
Client Managers.
What about any IP that is discussed in my application, how is this handled?
Only program staff and the Independent Assessment Panel have access to application
information, including videos. Applicants can ensure security of their information by using the
“unlisted” security setting for the video in their YouTube channel. All Independent Assessment
Panel members have signed confidentiality agreements to be members of the Panel and
program staff is required by the Public Sector Management Act to treat commercial-inconfidence appropriately. If an opportunity arises outside of the application process for content to
be used to market the program applicant approval would always be sought first.
What happens after I have submitted by video pitch?
Once the closing date for the submission of video pitches has passed, the Independent
Assessment Panel will be provided time to review and score each submission. The scores
/ Innovation, Trade and Investment
/ ACT Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
/ www.business.act.gov.au
/ Innovation Connect Frequently Asked Questions – Proof of Technology
/ Update 11.04.2016 / Page 2
provided by the Independent Assessment Panel will then determine the top ranked submissions
that will progress to the next stage of the process. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of
this process.
Do I have to provide a Business Model Canvas?
Yes. All start-ups should be thinking about the questions addressed in a business model canvas.
If you can’t deliver value to customers perhaps you need to think about a pivot and determining
this before you get to far could save you a lot of time and resources. As you will see in producing
your 90 second video it can be difficult to condense all the information you want to convey so the
business model canvas will be a tool to provide the Independent Assessment Panel with more
information to make a better informed decision.
I was unsuccessful in progressing past the video pitch stage of the process does that
mean I can’t reapply?
You are welcome to resubmit an application in subsequent rounds. An unsuccessful application
could have been submitted in a very competitive round or perhaps there were some
inconsistencies regarding the application. Applicants are welcome to request feedback to
strengthen their proposal for future rounds and are encouraged to avail themselves of the
training and expert advice available through the CBR Innovation network.
What do the grants support?
Can Innovation Connect grant funds be used to market my product/service?
Generic type marketing activities like the production of flyers, business cards and a website to
market a product/service can’t be claimed under Innovation Connect. However, applicants are
able to claim these types of costs as part of their matched-funding requirement. Innovation
Connect grant funds need to be used for professional third party services for strategic purposes
like market research or the development of a marketing strategy.
I have the skills and experience to build my prototype do I need to outsource this to be
eligible to claim under Innovation Connect?
You can build your own prototype if you have the relevant skills to do so and can claim the value
of you or your employee’s time for re-imbursement through the grant funding component. In
these situations you must demonstrate that the value of you or your employee’s time that you will
be charging to the Innovation Connect program is a reasonable estimate and that it represents
value for money for the program and the bet outcome for your project. Typically you will include
quotes from professional service providers for the work you are intending to undertake to show
the market value of such work.
You are also able to claim against the grant costs related to the purchase of the components for
the prototype but tools and equipment to assist in building the prototype would need to be
discussed with Client Managers prior to their purchase. Potentially purchases of this sort could
be deemed assets that are not primarily for use in the project and as such not an eligible
expenditure under Innovation Connect grant funding.
Formal Application Content
/ Innovation, Trade and Investment
/ ACT Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
/ www.business.act.gov.au
/ Innovation Connect Frequently Asked Questions – Proof of Technology
/ Update 11.04.2016 / Page 3
Applicants that progress past the Expression of Interest stage will be asked to submit a Formal
Application.
Issues you should consider addressing in your Formal Application include:

Does your idea fill a gap in the market? Explain who your direct and indirect competitors
are and how your concept compares to theirs. What are the differences and the
advantages of your idea?

What is the innovation in your proposal? Why can’t existing products do what yours can?

What activities and business planning has already been done?

What market research have you undertaken? Is the market large enough to ensure your
idea is commercially viable?

How will you market your idea? Consider your strategy carefully. Don’t just assume that
once you have your product it will sell itself.

What incentive will customers have to switch to this new product?

How will you distribute your product? Have you developed or are you developing a wellplanned and appropriately financed distribution strategy?

How will your product have an extended life cycle that ensures long-term revenue flow?
Innovation Connect is an ACT Government program and support is only available to Canberrabased businesses that are registered in the ACT and the assessment criteria is the extent to
which a project will provide longer term economic benefits to the ACT.
Examples of issues you may wish to address in demonstrating economic benefit to the ACT
include:

Does the project contribute to diversity of economic enterprises in the ACT?

Does the project support the local economy, particularly in the purchase of local goods
and services?

Does the project provide specific employment opportunities or fill employment needs of
particular groups of people?

What social value will the goods and services produced by the project have? Will they fill
an unmet need?

Does the project improve the efficiency in the use of resources, reduce environmental
impacts, or improve environmental quality?

Does the project enhance cooperation and partnerships including with other businesses,
academic institutions, government and community groups?

Does the project enhance or promote a competitive advantage for the ACT and region?
/ Innovation, Trade and Investment
/ ACT Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
/ www.business.act.gov.au
/ Innovation Connect Frequently Asked Questions – Proof of Technology
/ Update 11.04.2016 / Page 4

Does the project create greater choices or opportunities for the ACT and region?

Does the project align with published ACT Economic Development strategies such as the
ACT’s Business Development Strategy, “Growth, Diversification and Jobs”?
What supporting materials should I include in my formal application?
What supporting materials should I supply?
In regards to supporting material to enhance your claims against the Assessment Criteria, the
application should include:

a minimum of two (2) quotes to justify any cost estimates of work to be undertaken by a
third party, or to validate any estimate of the value of work to be undertaken in-house

resumes/CV’s of the members of the project team

any relevant business and or marketing plans

only attachments that are directly relevant to the application and are appropriately
succinct
Do I need to attach a business plan to my Application?
The Business Model Canvas is a streamlined business planning tool we require applicants to
complete at the EOI stage. If applicants have other business planning documentation they are
encouraged to submit them but other than the application itself, there is no requirement to
provide a formal business plan during the application process.
In the guidelines it states that applicants should provide quotes for any activities to be
undertaken by a third party, or to provide external quotes to justify the value estimated for
work undertaken internally. Why is this required?
Providing quotes for work to be undertaken by a third party demonstrates that the applicant has
approached the market and has considered value for money and it provides Independent
Assessment Panel members with an opportunity to assess the scope of work to be undertaken
and to determine whether the funding amount is appropriate. Quotes that detail the scope of
work also assist the Independent Assessment Panel to better understand the end product.
It is not expected that you provide quotes for minor pieces of work. If you are uncertain whether
or not you should provide quotes please discuss the matter with Client Managers.
Why is it a requirement that I provide a resume/CV for the project team?
One big factor in the potential success of a start-up is domain expertise and a team with
complementary skill sets. For a lot of investors the team is more important that the innovative
nature of the product/service. By providing resumes/CVs for the project team this provides the
Independent Assessment Panel with more information on the team and their skills and
experience.
How is the grant paid?
/ Innovation, Trade and Investment
/ ACT Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
/ www.business.act.gov.au
/ Innovation Connect Frequently Asked Questions – Proof of Technology
/ Update 11.04.2016 / Page 5
In the guidelines it mentions a payment at the start of the project, what does this mean?
Innovation Connect grants previously were a reimbursement where successful recipients needed
to cover all costs upfront and be reimbursed eligible Innovation Connect grant expenditure
through a milestone reporting process. Due to most applicants being at the start of their journey
with a lack of capital accessible we found that this resulted in project delays. To remedy this,
while also ensuring good governance, an upfront payment has been included at the start of a
project to assist in commencing the project. A payment of up to 50% of the total grant awarded is
available but this is determined by Client Managers on a case-by-case basis. For successful
grant recipients this will be worked through when the Deed of Grant is being negotiated.
How many milestone payments should I expect?
It is recommended that you limit the number of individual milestones to a maximum of four (4)
and you should consider what these will be when you are preparing your application. The
proposed date for each milestone must be achievable and the activity measurable.
What happens once I have spent the initial upfront payment, will I get another payment for
the rest of the project?
Once the full amount that was paid at the beginning of a project has been spent the project
reverts back to a reimbursement grant. What that means is the grant recipient will need to pay
tax invoices for Innovation Connect funded items out of their own pocket and through the
milestone reporting process claim these costs back through milestone payments. It is important
that applicants consider this when they are planning their project activities and the timing of their
milestones.
What is a milestone report?
When a successful grant recipient has reached the point of negotiating a Deed of Grant between
the ACT Government and the relevant entity Client Managers will work with the business to
determine the timing of reporting on the progress of the project. A milestone report is an
opportunity for the grant recipient to report on the activities conducted during a period of time
and to also demonstrate the expenditure that has occurred for that period. All successful grant
recipients will be provided with milestone report templates and access to on-line milestone
reporting forms at the beginning of their project.
Further Information
If you require further information or assistance please contact the Innovation Connect Client
Managers on:
Phone:
(02) 6207 7215
Email:
[email protected] or
[email protected]
/ Innovation, Trade and Investment
/ ACT Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
/ www.business.act.gov.au
/ Innovation Connect Frequently Asked Questions – Proof of Technology
/ Update 11.04.2016 / Page 6