A grants program that's designed to support regional and remote businesses
Businesses throughout regional and remote Australia often face numerous challenges. Whether it be related to their relative isolation, or simply finding ways of promoting themselves – finding a path to success can be hard.
It’s through these times of adversity that many of these businesses have found not only a deep resolve and determination, but a vast amount of innovation and creativity.
As the organisation behind Australia’s digital backbone, we decided to develop the Innovate with nbn Grants Program in partnership with the Regional Australia Institute (RAI). Now in its fifth year, the program will again recognise and showcase regional and remote businesses.
Who can apply?
- Harnessing the benefits of the nbn® network to enable regional Australians to live, learn and work in a digital society
- Innovative digital businesses challenging the traditional markets in regional Australia
- Businesses who are lifting digital participation and stimulating regional economies
- Champions of digital adoption for regional and remote communities
Eligibility criteria
Applications will only be eligible if you:
- are connected to the nbn network
- are located in regional Australia
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- have an Australian bank account (corresponding to the ABN)
- apply for one category
Health category winner and 2023 Champion, Observa Care
Learn how Observa Care, overall winner of the Innovate with nbn® Grants Program 2023, is helping to improve health outcomes for Regional Australia. Play the Observa Care - A Digital Healthcare Service video (duration 2:56) to find out more.
Grant categories
We’re looking for Indigenous business owners who embrace innovation and have bold ideas on how to create digital solutions. If you’re an Indigenous-owned enterprise, or a tech company partnering with Indigenous remote communities, we’d like to hear from you.
With education becoming more accessible online, and the pandemic years forcing a shift to digital and remote learning – the need for innovative educational solutions has never been more important. We’re looking for businesses who are harnessing technology to provide flexible online learning options that deliver innovative educational outcomes in regional areas.
Digital agriculture is the future of farming, with the potential to add $20.3 billion to the value of the Australian agriculture industry by the year 2030.
If you’re enabling farmers to save time, grow productivity and make more informed decisions using digital technology supported by the nbn network, then we want to hear from you.
Our Connecting Australia research shows a rise in Australian women bringing their ideas to the fore and starting their own businesses – and we want to help these savvy professionals to turn their dreams into reality.
If you’re an entrepreneurial businesswoman in a regional area who’s using digital innovation to drive community-led change and improve reach, we’d love to hear from you.
Through initiatives like the Innovate with nbn Grants Program, tourism businesses can showcase their digital abilities and expand their online opportunities and reach.
We’re looking for established regional tourism specialists who embrace digital innovation to either help optimise their unique offering, or actively promote your region’s key attractions.
We’re looking for Indigenous business owners who embrace innovation and have bold ideas on how to create digital solutions. If you’re an Indigenous-owned enterprise, or a tech company partnering with Indigenous remote communities, we’d like to hear from you.
With education becoming more accessible online, and the pandemic years forcing a shift to digital and remote learning – the need for innovative educational solutions has never been more important. We’re looking for businesses who are harnessing technology to provide flexible online learning options that deliver innovative educational outcomes in regional areas.
Digital agriculture is the future of farming, with the potential to add $20.3 billion to the value of the Australian agriculture industry by the year 2030.
If you’re enabling farmers to save time, grow productivity and make more informed decisions using digital technology supported by the nbn network, then we want to hear from you.
Our Connecting Australia research shows a rise in Australian women bringing their ideas to the fore and starting their own businesses – and we want to help these savvy professionals to turn their dreams into reality.
If you’re an entrepreneurial businesswoman in a regional area who’s using digital innovation to drive community-led change and improve reach, we’d love to hear from you.
Through initiatives like the Innovate with nbn Grants Program, tourism businesses can showcase their digital abilities and expand their online opportunities and reach.
We’re looking for established regional tourism specialists who embrace digital innovation to either help optimise their unique offering, or actively promote your region’s key attractions.
Grants
7 × $15,000
Covering each of the categories:
- Indigenous Business
- Education
- Agriculture
- Women in Regional Business
- Health
- Tourism
- Arts
$20,000
Innovate with nbn® Champion
Applications
Applications closed on 29 September 2024.
Successful grant recipients were announced on 12 November 2024.
Innovate with nbn® Grants Program partners
nbn
nbn is commited to lifting the digital capability of Australia, helping Australians to have access to a fast, reliable broadband network.
Regional and remote communities across Australia are a priority for nbn. In 2019, a dedicated business unit – nbn Regional and Remote – was created to help meet the needs of customers in rural and regional Australia, while aiming to raise the digital capability of these areas.
Regional Australia Institute (RAI)
Regional Australia Institute (RAI) is the only national, independent research, advocacy, capacity-building and membership organisation dedicated to supporting the prosperity of regional Australia. Our research, community engagement and partnerships with all tiers of government, corporate Australia and local organisations enables us to develop strong policy solutions and deliver tangible outcomes to improve regional communities. RAI’s purpose is to empower regions to thrive.