# Grant Opportunities Research — February 2026

*Updated: 17 February 2026, 19:05 AEDT*
*Research by: Harper (Finance/Legal Agent)*

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## 🔴 IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES

### 1. BAS Deadline — 28 February 2026 (11 days)
**Status:** URGENT - Quarterly BAS lodgement required
**Period:** Q2 (October-November-December 2025)
**Action:** Prepare and lodge BAS by 28 Feb
**Note:** Online lodgers may get 2-week extension (but Q2 doesn't qualify for extended deadline)

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## 🟢 ACTIVE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

### 1. Industry Growth Program (Federal)
**Status:** OPEN - Apply anytime
**Funding:** $50K-$5M (after Advisory Service)
**Source:** business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/industry-growth-program

**Two-Stage Process:**
1. **Advisory Service (FREE)** — Connect with expert Adviser
   - 10 working day response time
   - Tailored commercialisation advice
   - Required before grant application

2. **Grant Opportunities:**
   - Early-Stage Commercialisation: $50,000 - $250,000 (TRL3-6)
   - Commercialisation and Growth: $100,000 - $5,000,000 (TRL4-9)

**RateRight Eligibility Assessment:**
- ✅ Turnover <$20M (pre-revenue startup)
- ✅ ABN active
- ✅ GST registered
- ✅ Australian incorporated company
- ⚠️ Must fit NRF priority areas → **Enabling Capabilities** is best fit

**NRF Priority Area Alignment:**
RateRight's construction marketplace platform can position as **"Enabling Capabilities"** — digital infrastructure supporting the construction industry's transformation.

**Recommendation:** Apply for Advisory Service ASAP. Constitution now drafted. Ready to proceed.

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### 2. NSW MVP Ventures Program
**Status:** Round 3 opens **9 March 2026**
**Closes:** 5 April 2026
**Funding:** $20,000 - $75,000
**Source:** nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/innovation/grants-and-programs/mvp-ventures-program

**Funding Streams:**
- **Stream 1:** Up to $50K (50% grant, 50% co-contribution)
- **Stream 2:** Up to $75K (75% grant, 25% co-contribution)
  - Women-owned/managed
  - Regionally headquartered
  - Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander majority-owned

**RateRight Eligibility:**
- ✅ ABN active
- ✅ Headquartered in NSW (Surry Hills)
- ✅ Company incorporated under Corporations Act
- ✅ Turnover <$400K (pre-revenue)
- ✅ <10 FTE employees
- ✅ Holds IP rights

**Assessment Criteria:**
1. **Innovation** — New solution addressing well-defined problem
2. **Commercialisation** — Commercially viable, supports NSW Industry Policy
3. **Deliverability** — Clear milestones, team capacity

**Timeline:**
- Round 3 Opens: 9 March 2026
- Round 3 Closes: 5 April 2026
- Preparation time: ~3 weeks

**Recommendation:** STRONG FIT. Start preparing application package.

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### 3. NSW Innovation in Construction Fund
**Status:** Announced, criteria pending
**Funding:** $4 million pool
**Focus:** Housing construction innovation
**Source:** NSW Innovation Blueprint 2025/26

**Notes:**
- Part of $4M for Housing Innovation Network + Innovation in Construction Fund
- Criteria and application process not yet published
- Monitor nsw.gov.au for opening announcement

**Recommendation:** Monitor closely — direct industry alignment.

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## 🟡 TAX INCENTIVES

### R&D Tax Incentive
**Registration Deadline:** 30 April 2026 (73 days)
**Period:** FY 30 June 2025 (1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025)
**Potential Refund:** 43.5% of eligible R&D expenditure

**Eligibility:**
- ✅ Australian registered entity
- ⚠️ Minimum $20,000 eligible R&D expenditure
- ✅ Turnover <$20M (refundable offset)

**Eligible Activities for RateRight:**
- Experimental software development
- Algorithm development (matching, pricing)
- Prototype/MVP development
- Platform architecture innovation
- Testing and iteration

**Documentation Required:**
- Sprint notes, commit logs, architecture decisions
- Technical hypotheses and test results
- Failure analysis and iteration logs
- Salary costs, contractor costs, cloud infrastructure

**Action Items:**
1. Audit Builder's development work for eligible R&D activities
2. Document technical experimentation and unknowns resolved
3. Calculate eligible expenditure (development costs, infrastructure)
4. Engage R&D tax specialist for registration

**Potential Value:**
- If $20K R&D spend → $8.7K refund
- If $50K R&D spend → $21.75K refund

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## 📋 GRANT APPLICATION READINESS

### Documents Prepared (✅):
- Company Constitution (draft ready for execution)
- Shareholder Register (verified against ASIC)
- Industry Growth Program application package
- Cover letter templates
- Professional email infrastructure

### Documents Needed (🔴):
- Executed Constitution (requires both director signatures)
- Current ASIC extract
- Financial statements (even if minimal)
- Insurance certificates
- Professional accountant verification

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## 📅 KEY DATES

| Date | Item | Priority |
|------|------|----------|
| 28 Feb 2026 | Q2 BAS Due | 🔴 URGENT |
| 9 Mar 2026 | MVP Ventures Round 3 Opens | 🟡 PREPARE |
| 5 Apr 2026 | MVP Ventures Round 3 Closes | 🟡 DEADLINE |
| 30 Apr 2026 | R&D Tax Registration Deadline | 🟡 IMPORTANT |
| TBD | Innovation in Construction Fund | 🟢 MONITOR |

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## 💰 TOTAL OPPORTUNITY VALUE

| Program | Amount | Probability | Expected Value |
|---------|--------|-------------|----------------|
| Industry Growth Program | $50K-$250K | Medium | $75K |
| MVP Ventures | $20K-$50K | High | $30K |
| R&D Tax Incentive | $8.7K-$21.75K | High | $15K |
| Innovation in Construction | TBD | Unknown | TBD |
| **TOTAL PIPELINE** | | | **$120K+** |

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## 🎯 RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

### This Week:
1. **BAS Preparation** — Lodge by 28 Feb
2. **Constitution Execution** — Both directors sign
3. **IGP Advisory Service** — Submit application

### March:
4. **MVP Ventures Application** — Submit Round 3 (opens 9 Mar)
5. **Professional Engagement** — Accountant + R&D specialist

### April:
6. **R&D Tax Registration** — Lodge by 30 Apr
7. **Monitor** — Innovation in Construction Fund opening

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*Next update: After BAS lodgement or new opportunity identified*