# Grant Pipeline — Next 3 Opportunities After MVP Ventures
**Date:** 2026-02-25 | **Author:** Harper (Finance/Legal)
**Context:** MVP Ventures Round 3 opens Mar 9, closes Apr 5. These are the next grants to pursue after that submission.

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## Priority 1: TechVouchers (NSW BBIP) — Up to $50K

| Detail | Value |
|--------|-------|
| **Program** | TechVouchers Scheme (Boosting Business Innovation Program) |
| **Funder** | Investment NSW |
| **Amount** | Up to $50,000 (50% matched funding, excl. GST) |
| **Applications** | Rolling — open now |
| **Timeline to pursue** | April 2026 (after MVP Ventures submitted) |
| **Co-contribution** | 50% cash match required (up to $50K total project = $25K from us) |

### Why RateRight Qualifies
- ABN registered in NSW ✅
- <200 employees ✅ (1 founder, 0 employees)
- Annual turnover <$10M ✅ ($0)
- Holds IP rights ✅
- Novel product with commercialisation pathway ✅

### What We'd Use It For
Research collaboration with a NSW university (UTS, UNSW, or WSU most relevant) on:
- AI matching algorithm optimisation for construction skills
- Voice-to-job-posting NLP for non-desk workers
- Construction workforce mobility patterns and matching efficiency

### What's Needed
- **Research partner** — must be from the 12 participating PFROs (UTS, UNSW, USyd, WSU etc.)
- **Cash match** — $25K from RateRight for a $50K project
- **Clear commercialisation outcome** — prototype, improved tech, or new feature

### Harper Assessment
**Strong fit.** AI + construction workforce is exactly the kind of research-to-market project this funds. The blocker is finding and engaging a university research partner — Michael will need to initiate contact. Recommend UTS (strong in AI/data science and located in Tech Central) or WSU (strong construction/infrastructure research).

**$ Impact:** $50K grant minus $25K co-contribution = **$25K net benefit** plus research partnership value.

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## Priority 2: Industry Growth Program — $50K–$250K (Early-Stage Commercialisation)

| Detail | Value |
|--------|-------|
| **Program** | Industry Growth Program — Early-Stage Commercialisation |
| **Funder** | Federal — Dept of Industry, Science and Resources |
| **Amount** | $50,000–$250,000 (matched funding) |
| **Applications** | Open now — rolling, apply any time |
| **Timeline to pursue** | May–June 2026 |
| **Co-contribution** | 50% match |

### Why RateRight May Qualify
- Company incorporated in Australia ✅
- ABN ✅
- Turnover <$20M ✅
- Not tax-exempt ✅
- Innovative product ✅

### ⚠️ Eligibility Concern: GST Registration Required
The IGP requires applicants to be **registered for GST**. RateRight is currently NOT GST-registered (not required until $75K turnover). We would need to **voluntarily register for GST** before applying. This is allowed — you can register voluntarily at any time.

**Impact of voluntary GST registration:**
- Would need to charge GST on the $50 hire fee ($50 + $5 GST = $55 total, or absorb and charge $45.45 + $4.55 GST)
- Would need to lodge quarterly BAS (actual compliance work)
- Could claim GST credits on business expenses (~$5-10/quarter benefit at current spend)
- Administrative burden increases

**Recommendation:** Only register for GST if we're confident the IGP application would succeed AND the grant value ($50K+) justifies the compliance overhead. Defer this decision until after MVP Ventures outcome is known.

### NRF Priority Alignment
RateRight fits under **"enabling capabilities"** — digital platforms that support workforce productivity in construction. This is the weakest alignment of the NRF priority areas. The program favours manufacturing, renewables, defence, medical science more directly.

### Harper Assessment
**Moderate fit.** The grant is large ($50–250K) but the NRF priority alignment is a stretch, and the GST registration requirement adds complexity. Worth pursuing if MVP Ventures is successful and we want to scale significantly. Not worth the compliance overhead if the application is speculative.

**$ Impact:** $50–250K grant minus 50% co-contribution = **$25K–$125K net benefit** (but requires GST registration).

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## Priority 3: NSW Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program — Early-Stage Support

| Detail | Value |
|--------|-------|
| **Program** | Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program |
| **Funder** | Investment NSW ($4M allocated in 2025/26 budget) |
| **Amount** | TBC (likely $10–25K range based on similar programs) |
| **Applications** | Expected to open mid-2026 (new program) |
| **Timeline to pursue** | Monitor — apply when opens |
| **Co-contribution** | Likely minimal |

### Why This Is On the List
- New $4M program from NSW Innovation Blueprint 2025/26
- Supports founders from diverse backgrounds developing business models and securing seed investment
- Michael as an Irish immigrant founder building for construction workers may qualify under diversity criteria
- Pre-accelerator format = mentorship + funding + network access

### ⚠️ Uncertainty
This is a newly announced program. Guidelines not yet published. Eligibility criteria unknown. Added to pipeline for monitoring only.

### Harper Assessment
**Speculative but worth watching.** Low effort to monitor, potentially valuable if eligibility criteria fit. Will check back when guidelines are published.

**$ Impact:** Unknown — likely **$10–25K** if eligible.

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## Pipeline Summary

| # | Program | Amount | Status | Timeline | Net Benefit | Effort |
|---|---------|--------|--------|----------|-------------|--------|
| 🎯 | **MVP Ventures R3** | $50K | Prep complete | Submit Mar 9 | $50K (grant) | HIGH — done |
| 1 | **TechVouchers** | $50K | Open — rolling | Apr 2026 | $25K net | MEDIUM |
| 2 | **Industry Growth** | $50–250K | Open — rolling | May–Jun 2026 | $25–125K net | HIGH (GST issue) |
| 3 | **Diversity Pre-Accel** | ~$10–25K | Not yet open | Mid-2026 | $10–25K | LOW (monitor) |

### Total Pipeline Value
- **Confirmed in flight:** $50K (MVP Ventures)
- **Next 3 opportunities:** $85–325K (gross) / $60–175K (net after co-contributions)
- **R&D Tax Incentive (separate):** $3–4K refund (FY26, lodge after Jun 30)

### Recommended Sequence
1. ✅ **Now → Mar 9:** Finish MVP Ventures prep (Michael: Letters of Intent + ADI bank account)
2. **Apr 2026:** Begin TechVouchers — approach UTS or WSU for research partnership
3. **May 2026:** Assess IGP eligibility based on MVP Ventures outcome + GST registration decision
4. **Mid-2026:** Monitor Diversity Pre-Accelerator for guidelines

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*"Stack the grants sequentially, not simultaneously. Each one teaches us what the next reviewer will ask."*
*— Harper, Finance & Legal*