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                    Small business grant recipients

                    The City of Melbourne has helped hundreds of innovators and entrepreneurs start up or expand their businesses since 1996. We have also encouraged dozens of businesses to enter overseas markets and supported member-based organisations to deliver new initiatives for their members.

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​See o​​​​​​​​​​​​ur previous grant recipients listed below, featuring a diversity of ideas and innovations.

                    Previous recipients

                    2024 recipients

                    The following recipients were successful in our Shopfront stream​​​

                    Beekeeper Parade

                    An up-and-coming retailer manufacturing bags, travel goods and accessories using up-cycled and recycled clothes (from the public) and discarded or donated fabrics (from industry). Beekeeper Parade​ are receiving $30,000 to fit out for their first long-term lease in their new Centre Place shopfront.

                    Christian Kimber

                    The 2019 National Designer of the Year, Christian Kimber is an independently owned, Melbourne-based Australian menswear label established in 2015. Promoting sustainability and responsible consumption their vision is to become the ‘Ralph Lauren of Australia’. Christian Kimber​ are receiving $30,000 to fit out their new flagship retail store in Melbourne.

                    Critical Hit

                    Specialist retail store primarily engaged in importing merchandise for popular culture, with a large focus on Anime and Gaming series from Japan. Established in 2010, they import items that are typically not readily accessible in Australia. Critical Hit​ are receiving $19,091 to purchase equipment and fit out for their new store and event space to enable hosting of social games and gatherings.

                    Killara Cafe

                    This social enterprise established in 2022 assists Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people to gain sustainable employment and will establish a café on Collins Street in a space that has been vacant for over three years. Killara Cafe ​are receiving $30,000 to upgrade the existing fit-out to open their first cafe.

                    Le Yea​hllow

                    A specialty cake shop offering celebratory cakes, handcrafted pastries, and individual cakes. They established themselves in South Yarra and recently opened their new store in the CBD. Le Yeahllow​ are receiving $30,000 to re-build their website, upgrade their operational technology, and improve their customer facilities.

                    Mork Chocolate​

                    These Melbourne based makers of specialty; ethically sourced hot chocolate opened their first North Melbourne café in 2012. They have since opened a 'Chocolate Factory' in North Melbourne, cafes in Equitable Lane and the Queen Victoria Market and export their chocolate overseas. Mork Chocolate​ are receiving $27,273 to fit out their new café and cocktail bar in Centre Place.

                    Nosh

                    A Japanese-inspired fast-food eatery offering a health-conscious menu, which includes gluten-free and vegan choices. Nosh ​are receiving $30,000 to fit out of their fourth store, a long-vacant shopfront unoccupied for over three years.

                    Peek 'a' Bras

                    A manufacturing and retail business designing globally awarded bra skin products that are Australian made, striving to seamlessly blend style, comfort, and adaptability into a singular product. Peekabras​ are receiving $29,945 to fit out their new retail space in Kensington.

                    Sphere Wellness Studio

                    A bespoke fitness training and recovery centre will add to the diverse business mix in North Melbourne with their holistic physical and mental health service, targeting pre- and post-natal along with older clientele. Sphere Wellness Studio are receiving $25,545 to purchase specialised equipment to fit-out their new studio on Errol Street.

                    The following recipients were successful in our Open stream 

                    A.BCH​

                    This circular fashion label, focused on producing ethical and sustainable clothing, is developing a Circular Sourcing digital platform to reuse unused material held by designers, mills, and manufacturers, diverting it from landfill. A.BCH ​are receiving $18,740 to enhance and further test the digital platform’s marketplace function.

                    BrainCast

                    A medical software development company specialising in head injuries to athletes, like concussion. They are developing innovative AI-based technology that provides proactive neurologic health monitoring and MRI analysis of athletes, including children, of sports like AFL, Rugby League and Rugby Union.

                    BrainCast​ are receiving $15,382 to upgrade their computing technology to increase their research and product development capacity.

                    Fifth Harvest

                    This vertical farming start-up was established in 2022 with a mission to redefine the future of farming by utilising unused urban space to grow food. Their advanced vertical farming growing system strives for sustainable and cost-effective production of nutritious food in the urban environment. Fifth Harvest​ are receiving $19,957 to develop the next version of their micro-farm grow unit.

                    Film Never Die

                    A uniquely community-driven film photography space and retail store selling new and second-hand film cameras and running photo walks for photography enthusiasts. Film Never Die​ are receiving $20,000 to integrate self-serve stations and improve the accessibility of their community and exhibition space.

                    HEX

                    A start-up that aims to shake up traditional education formats by delivering innovative learning via immersive and virtual experiences. They are targeting the next generation of leaders by supporting them to unlock their potential and kickstart their entrepreneurial careers. The Hacker Exchange​ is receiving $20,000 to enhance their educational operations and media production capabilities.

                    Mr Cuff

                    Local tailor, Jarrod Cuff, designs and manufactures bespoke high-end suits whilst providing the unique opportunity to see the creative process in action with his Howey Place shopfront workshop. Mr Cuff​ are receiving $19,998 to expand their product line and increase capacity with an extra workstation.

                    Navi Medical Technologies

                    An innovative medical technology company developing fit-for-purpose products to deliver care to critically ill newborns and children including their new medical device tracking catheter location in real-time called Neonav. Navi Medical Technologies​ Pty Ltd are receiving $19,827 to establish a physical presence for their prototype and upgrade their website and digital animation product video for Neonav.

                    Patsy’s

                    This vegetarian Mediterranean-inspired wine bar uses produce from their own farm in Victoria's central highlands and neighbouring Queen Victoria Market, to provide meat-free cuisine and vegan wines based on seasonal, regenerative agricultural and sustainable vineyard practices. Patsy’s​ are receiving $18,740 to upgrade their restaurant facilities and improve their sustainable food waste practices.

                    Regen Studios Pty Ltd

                    Local production company that has built a compelling reputation with films 2040, That Sugar Film and Regenerating Australia. Regen Studios​ are receiving $20,000 to build an educational portal for teachers to develop curriculum based on their films and their aim to build an understanding of regeneration principles and inspire solutions to ecological and social issues.

                    Savic Motorcycles

                    An Australian design and production company, who want to shape a sustainable, thrilling and zero-carbon transport future, have developed a high-performance electric motorcycle. Savic Motorcycles Pty Ltd​ are receiving $20,000 to fit out and open their first showroom in Melbourne.

                    Supaw Pet Bakery

                    This unique bakery specialises in making bespoke birthday cakes for your favourite 'fluffy' kid that are not just delicious but healthy and nutritious. Supaw Pet Bakery​ are receiving $18,182 to upgrade their facilities to increase their production capacity and expand their customer base to interstate.

                    Virtetic

                    A digital health company developing a world-first immersive technology and gamification solutions to assist people living with limb loss to transition to life with a prosthesis. Virtetic​ are receiving $19,858 to work towards a product launch of their game-based virtual reality therapeutics for the prosthetics industry.

                    Willows & Wine

                    A café/wine bar transitioning beyond a traditional hospitality venue to a hybrid entertainment, event, and experiences space with a focus on hosting workshops, tastings, and literature events for women and gender diverse communities. Willows & Wine are receiving $18,091 to create a new hybrid event space to complement their existing offerings.

                    Yesign

                    This specialty retail chocolate gallery offers a unique and immersive experience where customers partake in hands-on chocolate painting experiences.Yesign​ are receiving $18,000 to upgrade their workshop floor, improve accessibility, purchase more sustainable equipment, and enhance their online shopping platform.

                    Your Hart2Hart Counselling

                    A holistic NDIS-accredited, B-Corp registered disability support service empowering those living with disabilities to live fulfilling and enriched lives through group activities, counselling, psychology services and short-term respite. Your Hart2Hart are receiving $15,455 to upgrade their IT equipment and improve client engagement by rebuilding their website to incorporate Artificial Intelligence technology.​

                    2020 recipients

                    Age Up Health Pty Ltd

                    Age Up Health Pty Ltd is a fully integrated online platform providing aged care services to empower people to live their best life at home. They secured a start-up grant.

                    Aubot

                    Aubot is developing a mobile telepresence robotic arm to help empower people with disabilities and reduce their reliance on care givers. Aubot secured a development grant.

                    Cynch Sec Pty Ltd

                    Cynch Sec Pty Ltd is a cyber-security platform for small businesses to help prevent and reduce risks against cyber-attacks. They secured a start-up grant.

                    Envision Systems Pty Ltd

                    Envision Syst​ems Pty Ltd is solving the issue of transport congestion and enabling cities to become smarter, by providing real-time data from wireless Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled sensors. They secured a start-up grant.

                    ItInc Pty Ltd

                    ItI​nc Pty Ltd is a glass designer and manufacturer, utilising a closed loop recycling process to convert post-commercial glass into high quality reusable products. ItInc Pty Ltd secured an expansion grant.

                    Machine Dreams

                    Machine Dreams is utilising photographic machine learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve asset inspection management processes. Machine dreams secured a start-up grant.

                    Memento Media

                    Memento Media is developing an online platform to help families capture stories and turn them into engaging and shareable mementos. They received a development grant.

                    Navi Medical Technologies

                    The Navi team is developing a medical device for doctors to safely administer medicine to critically-ill newborns, toddlers and children. They secured a development grant.

                    Qoctor

                    Qo​ctor is a new telehealth kiosk which will enable pharmacies to provide a full end-to-end health service in store for their customers. Qoctor secured an expansion grant.

                    Tacticagear 

                    Tactic​agear is a local innovative multitools business expanding its offerings to include a high powered, compact and lightweight flashlight for adventure and outdoor activities. They secured an expansion grant.

                    2019 recipients

                    Advanced Composite Structures Australia P/L

                    A company engaged in fibre reinforced composite material research development, engineering and manufacturing. Plans to market capabilities to the Asian, European and United States markets. Located in Port Melbourne, Advanced Composite Structures Australia P/L received an export grant

                    AquaTerra Solutions Pty Ltd

                    A technology platform that measures soil moisture and temperature to help farmers reduce water and energy consumption and improving crop quality. AquaTerra Solutions Pty is located in Carlton, and has secured a start-up grant.

                    Aquatic Physio Exercise Australia

                    Aquatic physiotherapy service  building an online community helping people learn the best way to use the aquatic environment to improve their movement, strength, mobility, balance and power; Particularly helpful for City of Melbourne residents with access to pools in their building. Aquatic Physio Exercise Australia received an expansion grant.

                    Audioplay

                    An action-based audio app that supercharges kids' play. Kids put on headphones, step into the story and become the characters, physically playing out the action. With Audioplay blanket forts and cushion rafts become the centre of epic adventures that put kids at the heart of the story. Located in Southbank, Audioplay received a start-up grant.

                    Crema Joe

                    Sells reusable coffee capsules with locally roasted and packed beans. Expanding to a service that provides a refill service to businesses in the CBD, and helping to transform employees of local businesses into habitual re-users. Crema Joe received an expansion grant.

                    D.Baker & Sons

                    A family owned and operated distillery that has been producing single malt whisky. Planning to relocate from its current operation in Bayswater to Kensington. The new location will allow them to expand its production capacity and offers educational and tourism experiences. D.Baker & Sons secured an expansion grant.

                    Elixico (Grand Yarra)

                    Melbourne based design and innovation development consultancy with a focus on automotive design and styling. Expanding into the broader sustainable ‘mobility’ industry and looking at new alternative vehicle types and low cost mobility solutions. Elixico (Grand Yarra) secured an expansion grant.

                    Enrich360

                    Manages dehydrators that condense food waste from CBD cafes for transport and transform it to fertiliser for nearby farms. In the process of relocating my business to a confirmed address in the City of Melbourne municipality. Enrich360 received an expansion grant.

                    Hoist AI

                    A new Melbourne-based artificial intelligence focused accelerator that backs entrepreneurs, researchers and teams that develop and use Artificial Intelligence (AI); one of the fastest growing technologies around the world. Hoist AI has secured a start-up grant.

                    Ida Sports

                    Ida Sports is sports footwear and apparel business that caters to professional female athletes with links to AFL and soccer clubs across Victoria.18 months in development and testing with experts in podiatry, biomechanics, physiotherapy and female athletes. Id​a Sports received a start-up grant.

                    Little Lon Distillery

                    CBD's only distillery, and is housed in a unique heritage listed single story building developing new Melbourne-centric gin produces using treated water from the Yarra River. Also planning to develop a Melbourne-centric whisky, to be aged and barrels to be stored in tunnels “under” the CBD. Little Lon Distillery received a start-up grant.

                    Mass Dynamics

                    Founded to enable life scientists to leverage the best discovery tool that we have today - Mass Spectrometry (MS) - in order to do better science, and drive medical discoveries to curtail the world’s highest mortality and morbidity diseases.  Located in Bourke Street with the grant received, Mass Dynamics will reduce the time that a researcher spends on data analysis from *weeks* to *hours* by addressing the challenges that researchers face today. They have secured a start-up grant.

                    OMX Solutions

                    Supplies print-to-order, bespoke medical devices for the specialized area of craniomaxillofacial (jaw and face) surgery. Planning to run educational surgical cadaver workshops. Located in the heart of the city – William Street – OMX Solutions received an expansion grant

                    Radetec Pty Ltd

                    Located in Parkville are specialised in the preparation and modification of various nanoparticles, tiny objects a thousand times smaller than a fine grain of sand. In particular, their strength is the preparation of "quantum dots", a novel luminescent nanoparticle made of semiconducting material. Radetec Pty Ltd received a start-up grant.

                    Rum Diary Spiced Rum

                    A bar starting an ‘experimental kitchen’ to allow consumers and Melbourne's hospitality community access to brewing equipment to experiment, learn and create their own spiced alcoholic products. For a 3-hour session, customers can learn, blend and create their own spiced rum.  Rum Diary Spiced Rum received a start-up grant.

                    Smileyscope

                    Building a Virtual Reality (VR) digital therapeutic suite for paediatric procedures, that will decrease the need for unnecessary restraints, anaesthetics and pain killers by providing a soothing immersive experience for young patients. Smileyscope received a start-up grant.

                    Unpackaged Eco

                    A business with a mission to tackle single-use packaging by offering everyday products without its packaging located on top end of Collins Street. Securing a start-up grantUnpackaged Eco offer their own line of organic and biodegradable unpackaged everyday products, accessible on-line and at refill stations located in partnering stores.  

                    UbiPark Pty Ltd

                    A new smartphone mobile app that offers intelligent parking solutions to consumers and business operators. UbiPark Pty Ltd secured an expansion grant; their immediate expansion efforts are focused on building & delivering an on-street payment solution to the existing off-street parking platform. 

                    Walk Melbourne Tours

                    Introduce international visitors to the unique food and laneways culture that Melbourne offers through our foodie walking tours of the city. They operate daily and provide fully hosted small group tours with tasting. Located in the heart of the City- Royal Arcade, Walk Melbourne Tours have been working with tourists from the US, now expanding their service to Canadian tourists. They have secured an export grant.

                    Worksmith Coworking Pty Ltd

                    Designed to be a community hub, an educational space, a flexible place to work with all of the amenities one could ever need, Worksmith Coworking are opening their second location in Melbourne Central, Worksmith Ella. The bar Laboratory is designed to assist bartenders and beverage product start-ups to experiment with the latest scientific equipment in order to be at the forefront of the industry globally. They secured an expansion grant.

                    2018 recipients

                    Christine

                    An iconic women’s retail store currently located in Flinders Lane, Christine received an expansion grant as the business is planning to move to the top end of Collins Street, creating a new concept luxury store (Christine on Collins). 

                    ColourSpace Gallery Pty Ltd 

                    ColourSpace Gallery offers artworks on an affordable monthly subscription basis to corporate businesses, and will focus on showcasing artworks of emerging Melbourne based artists. They have secured a start-up grant.

                    DreamWalk Apps Pty Ltd 

                    DreamWalk Apps received a start-up grant, they have created a new initiative "Proof" which allows users to design and develop a proof of concept app quickly and at low costs. 

                    Girl Geek Academy

                    With a purpose of showcasing the number of women with successful Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers, Girl Geek Academy received an expansion grant. Their proposal is to launch a new Girl Geek Academy Guide (expert guide program) to showcase women in technology. 

                    HH MPI Pty Ltd (T/A MagicPi) 

                    Using artificial intelligence, MagicPi received a start-up grant as they have developed a multi-lingual tour guide that can be delivered through personal smart devices. The company will add an Australian Sign Language (AUSLAN AI) component to the platform which will help support galleries and museums in delivering a better experience for hearing-impaired visitors.

                    Ion Opticks Pty Ltd

                    Receiving an expansion grant, Ion Opticks will scale development and manufacturing of their innovative nano capillary column used by cutting edge scientists worldwide for biological and medical research into cancer, Parkinson's and other age-related diseases. These columns allow scientists to gain over 25 per cent more data from their samples compared to existing commercially available solutions.

                    Justice Denim 

                    A start-up grant was given to Justi​ce Denim to design and manufacture ethical, local and responsible denim jeans, using an artisan denim factory located in Melbourne. The business has also committed to donating one week’s schooling expenses for every pair of jeans sold to an internationally-recognized non-profit organisation.

                    She's A Crowd Pty Ltd

                    She's A Crowd is a social enterprise company using crowdsourcing technology and data analytics to harness the global trend of social storytelling, allowing women to share their stories in a safe, anonymous and meaningful way.. They have secured a start-up grant.

                    Silverpond Pty Ltd

                    Silverpond received an expansion grant to develop a new computer vision artificial intelligence platform, Highlighter, that is particularly useful for organisations that want to automate repetitive visual tasks. This platform will make it more accessible and cost-effective for  companies to develop and adopt artificial intelligence technology as part of their business capabilities without having an in-house artificial intelligence team.

                    The Sneaker Laundry

                    The Sneaker Laundry received an expansion grant to create a new attractive window space at their retail store to allow passing trade and customers to engage the process of how customised painted artwork is created onto sneakers. 

                    Thirty South Pty Ltd (T/A Act of Wine)

                    A new boutique wine store, Act of Wine focuses in supplying sustainable, natural, organic and biodynamic wine, craft beer and small patch spirits. 

                    Umps Health Pty Ltd

                    Umps Health received a start-up grant as they have developed a smart home platform to support older Australians to live safely and independently at home. Umps Health's smart plugs fit between any domestic appliance and the wall socket to measure things like when the kettle is used or TV turned on or off - sending a signal that the older person is okay. The system learns a person's unique patterns of behaviour, and if there is significant abnormality, lets a family member or care provider know so they can check in.

                    Zero Impact Energy Pty Ltd

                    Zero Impact recycles waste coffee grounds into renewable energy, with high-performance coffee logs that are a truly sustainable alternative to firewood or brown coal. They have secured a start-up grant

                    10Tickles Animation & Design

                    Securing an expansion grant, 10Tickles Animation & Design uses augmented reality technology to design a new immersive experience app – Macabre Melbourne Mysteries. Based on an historical crime, players use their smartphones to uncover clues as they navigate in and around the City of Melbourne to solve the crime.

                    2017 recipients

                    Allen Kong Architect Pty Ltd

                    Allen Kong Architect is an architectural design company that specialises in sustainable architecture for intentional and therapeutic communities. As an export entry grant recipient the business is planning to export their design and project management services to the Kiribati Housing Corporation, Kiribati.

                    Assemble Technologies Pty Ltd (T/A Atticus)

                    A start up grant will assist Atticus to develop software-as-a-service (SaaS) products for the legal and professional services industries.

                    Beethoven & Dinosaur Pty Ltd 

                    Having recently secured an exclusive deal with publisher Annapurna Interactive for their debut action and adventure game The Artful Escape, independent game developer Beethoven & Dinosaur received a start-up grant to enhance their Docklands-based studio.

                    Churchill Club Pty Ltd

                    The Churchill Club is a member-based organisation whose primary objective is to drive economic and job growth amongst Victorian businesses by promoting the adoption of new and emerging technologies. This enables organisations to better create and utilise innovation. They have secured a business support grant.

                    Code Like A Girl Pty Ltd

                    Dedicated to providing girls with the tools, knowledge and support to enter and flourish in the world of coding, social enterprise Code like​ a Girl received a start-up grant to support the integration of an education portal with the Victorian DigiTech Curriculum.

                    Cumulo Group Pty Ltd  (T/A Beetbox)

                    The Cumulo Group, trading as Beetbox, has obtained a start-up grant to design, develop, manufacture, market and distribute the world’s best-loved lunchbox for bowl meals, salads and leftovers.

                    Disco Development Pty Ltd

                    A leading software development partner of the Shopify platform, an ecommerce software solution used by over 500,000 retailers worldwide, Disco Development received an export entry grant to explore new business opportunities in the Asia Pacific region. 

                    Enabler Interactive Pty Ltd

                    Enabler Interactive received a start-up grant to develop an interactive 3D simulation training application for disability support workers that is cost-effective and can be accessed on mobile devices and websites.

                    EnviroDNA

                    Having developed Australia’s first dedicated environmental DNA service specialising in finding traces of DNA in the environment to identify and track invasive or threatened species, EnviroDNA received a start-up grant to purchase specialist equipment to streamline and grow their service offering.

                    Faramoon

                    Based on years of extensive research Faramoon has developed new technology to automate and simplify the collection and conversion of data points to three-dimensional models, such as the interior of buildings. The business received a start-up grant to support the integration of the technology to a cloud-based infrastructure.

                    MOG Laboratories Pty Ltd

                    With a reputation for developing outstanding laser and electronic scientific instrumentation, MOG Laboratories received a business expansion grant to upgrade their laboratory space to optical cleanroom quality to facilitate the production of new products which rely of near-perfect optical mirrors.

                    PolyActiva Pty Ltd

                    A world-class biotechnology and drug development company currently developing a site-specific antibiotic delivery implant to treat infection after ocular surgery, PolyActiva received a business expansion grant to support the introduction of an in-house manufacturing capability.

                    Reground Pty Ltd

                    Having established a valuable service collecting coffee grounds from urban cafes and roasters’ waste streams and transforming to compost and garden fertilisers, environmental services company Reground received a business expansion grant to introduce a new plastics recycling service as well as develop a waste audit platform to help City of Melbourne businesses evaluate their green credentials.

                    Wendy Voon

                    Women’s clothing store Wendy Voon showcases ethically made garments, jewellery and accessories by outstanding local and Australian designers. The retailer received a business expansion grant to create an after-hours curated trunk show service to complement their current offering.

                    2016 recipients

                    Advanced Composite Structures Australia Pty Ltd


                    A world leader in composite technology development and implementation, Advanced Composite Structures received a business expansion grant to progress two new innovative products, a composite clamp for the repair of leaking oil pipelines and a carbon-fibre composite assembly for low altitude aircraft.

                    Allume Energy Pty Ltd 

                    Social enterprise Allume Energy received a start-up grant to support their unique, low-cost approach to solar power which provides tenants of public housing access to renewable energy without the infrastructure set-up costs.

                    Chroma Coda Pty Ltd

                    Chroma Coda is set to revolutionise music-making with their newly launched virtual reality Music Room. Designed with playability in mind, users can strum, slide, bend and drum naturally and expressively. The start-up grant enables further testing to ensure absolute expressive control per note.

                    E-stralian Pty Ltd

                    E-stralian is Melbourne’s first business to take advantage of the Australian Tax Office’s recent class ruling enabling commuters to salary sacrifice pedal assisted e-bicycles with no initial outlay. The start-up grant facilitates website development, including a nifty novated lease calculator,  where prospective e-bike commuters can evaluate lease terms and annual savings.

                    Harmonious Games Pty Ltd

                    An independent video game developer, Harmonious Games specialise in the creation of cooperative video games. Its team received a start-up grant to help develop the game Putty Party which focuses on collaborative exploration to solve a series of challenges.

                    Infiniti Technology Pty Ltd

                    Infiniti Technology received a start-up grant to boost development and distribution of their TouchOne keyboard, the first dedicated smartwatch keyboard compatible with square or circular-shaped devices. The keyboard is fast and intuitive, and has number, punctuation and emoji functionality.

                    Liminal VR Pty Ltd (trading as Liminal 360)

                    With a team of award winning artists, animators and virtual reality app developers, Liminal 360 builds custom applications that turn smartphones into immersive, interactive virtual reality systems for property developers, architects, interior and furniture designers, and beyond. Its team received a start-up grant to professionalise their web presence.

                    Little Lon Distilling Co

                    Little Lon Distilling Co received a start-up grant to establish their craft distillery in the heart of Melbourne’s central business district. Their collection of small-batch gins celebrates the colourful history of the Little Lonsdale area from the 1850s to early 1920s when it was a melting pot of immigration from around the world.

                    Lumi Publications Pty Ltd (trading as Lumi Consulting)

                    Lumi Consulting offers marketing and design strategies to video game developers throughout Melbourne. Its team received a business expansion grant to develop a creative production facility for producing online educational content to take their expert knowledge to game developers throughout Australia and the globe.

                    PROPL Pty Ltd

                    PROPL received a start-up grant to develop a multi-language component of their innovative technology that enables the conversion of a smartphone to a smart radio. The technology amplifies communication capacity for businesses, and particularly OHS teams, operating in remote, off-grid areas.

                    The trustee for The Modpep Trust (trading as Modpep Pty Ltd)

                    Modpep design and manufacture catalogue and customised peptides for the global life-sciences community, medical researchers, biologists and pharmacologists. Its team received a start-up grant to support the purchase of a high performance liquid chromatography system for analysis and purification processes.

                    Vericus Pty Ltd

                    Vericus received a start-up grant to upgrade their IT equipment and establish their online platform Cadmus. Developed in partnership with the University of Melbourne, Cadmus integrates multiple technologies including keystroke biometrics and statistical algorithms to ensure academic integrity for the tertiary education sector.

                    2015 recipients

                    ​Applicant​Category​What the grant supports

                    ​​Bastion Cycles Pty Ltd

                    ​Start-up​​The development of a 3D printed, custom engineered, high performance road bicycle manufacturing plant, and an online frame customisation design tool.
                    ​BlueQ
                    ​Start-up​An innovative platform that enables users to digitally store, manage and verify their qualifications in one secure online account.
                    Born Licensing Pty Ltd​Start-upThe establishment of an entertainment clip licensing agency.

                    ​​Cargone Couriers

                    ​Business expansion
                    ​The set-up of a bicycle courier consolidation hub and associated activities.
                    ​CleanTek Market Pty Ltd​​Start-up​The development of an online platform to source and manage clean technologies and investment in Melbourne.

                    El Cielo Foods Pty Ltd

                    ​​Business expansion
                    The establishment of a purpose-made nixtamal plant and corn mill.

                    ​​Game Developers' Association of Australia

                    ​Business expansion​​The introduction of a dedicated student skills development program.

                    ​​Heromods

                    ​Start-up
                    ​​The development of a new online company that produces and sells bespoke 3D printed hero figurines.
                    ​Hike Pos​​Start-upThe development of a cloud-based point-of- sale system that also works offline.

                    ​​Home Economics Victoria

                    ​Business support services
                    ​Website development activities to ensure effective service delivery to members.
                    ​Hux Connect Pty Ltd​​Start-up​The development of a professional building assessment service for monitoring and improving comfort in commercial office space.
                    Intellink Pty Ltd​​Start-up​The purchase of specialised business software to measure building performance with internet-enabled devices using IoT and big data.
                    Kalinya Communications Pty Ltd​​Start-up​An Indigenous communications business to develop educational workshops on the role of online technologies, and build a professional website.

                    ​Museums Australia (Victoria) Inc

                    Business support services

                    ​Website development activities, to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.

                    Pharmaceutical Packaging Professionals Pty Ltd​​Start-up​The establishment of a large storage facility for primary and secondary labelling of investigational clinical products.

                    ReadyTeacher

                    ​​Micro business start-up​Accessibility of the business website for mobile devices and for the business owner to receive business management skills training.

                    Samurai Punk​​​ Pty Ltd

                    ​Business expansion

                    Software licensing and purchase of hardware to further develop and test Screencheat’s multiplayer capacity.

                    ​Snoba​l Pty Ltd

                    ​​Start-up​Website enhancement activities and purchase of specialised IT equipment for the development of a platform where retailers can customise 3D shopping environments.

                    ​The Eternal Headonist

                    Business expansion
                    ​A new retail space in Melbourne and a virtual fitting room functionality on its website.
                    ​Two Mavericks Research and Development Pty Ltd​​​Start-up​The development of a new smartphone mobile app that offers intelligent parking solutions to consumers and business operators.
                    UbiPark Pty Ltd​Start-up​​The development of a new smartphone mobile app that offers intelligent parking solutions to consumers and business operators.


                    Read the media release from 27 November 2015 announcing grant recipients for this round.

                    2014 recipients

                    ​Applicant​Category​What the grant supports
                    ​Alter​native Walking Tours​Micro-business start-up​The establishment of a city tour business specialising in vintage stores and alternative sites in and around Melbourne and the CBD.
                    Craft​Business support services​The introduction and delivery of a new mobile-ready program of pop-up stalls at four sites around the municipality.
                    ​Kisa Pty Ltd​Start-up​The launch of an accessible phone, designed without a screen or keypad, for the elderly and people with disabilities.
                    ​Makeshift Studio​Start-up​The development of a collaborative co-working space for social innovators to work, connect and create.
                    ​Mi​chael O’Connell​Business expansion​The establishment of a professional music recording and production studio in West Melbourne.
                    Sawdust Bureau​Start-up​The collaboration of an architect and engineer in launching their bespoke furniture business in Kensington.
                    The Cat Motel​Business expansion​The establishment of a new cattery in the City of Melbourne.
                    ​The ​School of Life Australia​Start-up​The establishment of an education / training facility for life philosophy, café and retail bookshop.
                    ​Trapt​Start-up​The establishment of a new bar and escape room venue in City of Melbourne where teams solve a series of challenging puzzles in order to escape from their chosen themed room.
                    Vetco Australia ​Expansion ​The development of an all-natural hypoallergenic grain-free dog food product, to complement the current pet grooming range.
                    Wander MMO​Start-up​The development of a collaborative, non-combat and online game Wander.

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