Applications are now open for the 2021 Innovate with nbn™  Grants Program, with $95,000 in total funding up for grabs to support regional and remote businesses drive the development and adoption of their bright ideas.

Innovate with nbn™ - delivered in partnership with the Regional Australia Institute - is looking for businesses that are harnessing the benefits of the nbn™  network to develop products or solutions that improve digital participation, productivity or social outcomes for regional and remote Australians.

Eligible businesses* are encouraged to apply for one of the seven categories including: Agriculture, Arts, Education, Health, Indigenous Business, Tourism and Women in Business. The winner of each category will receive a $10,000 grant. Each category winner will go into the pool to become the overall winner and receive an additional $25,000.

Gavin Williams, NBN Co Chief Development Officer, Regional and Remote said:

“nbn is committed to lifting the digital capability of Australia and helping regional businesses to unlock the benefits of the nbn™ network.

“Through Innovate with nbn™, we are looking for these new and exciting innovations that need a little bit of help to bring their idea to life.

“I encourage eligible businesses to apply, and I am excited to see the depth and range of digitally-led solutions that are being developed in regional Australia for regional Australians.”

Liz Ritchie, Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Australia Institute said:

“Quality broadband services are critical for business in regional and remote Australia to innovate and compete.

“High quality broadband connectivity is critical to boost the prosperity, creativity and sustainability of regions and the livelihoods of their people.

“The Regional Australia Institute is delighted to be involved with the Innovate with nbn™ Grants Program again this year.”

The inaugural overall winner - HoldAccess (WUNA) – said that wining the Innovate with nbn™ has been critical in scaling his product.

 The Indigenous start-up that created a (Digital) Diji-Wallet, making it easy for those of First Nation backgrounds, job seekers and transitional populations who require easy access and ability to share their important data such as identification, training certificates, compliance ID and cultural heritage, health, and family lines at an instant.

Jason Davis, CEO of WUNA said:

 “It can be quite difficult to create economic opportunities that stick when you lack digital access to yourself or if it is held by third parties on their behalf, also creating a privacy risk for third parties who have no choice when nothing else has been available, until now with HoldAccess (WUNA) Diji Wallet!

 "HoldAccess (WUNA) has created a disruptive digital solution that provides instant information – a virtual locker at your fingertips – to embed the latest cards, certificates and identification swiftly, built for people in transferable work as a skill to work passport used seamlessly in the employment journey from pre-employment, training to recruitment, onboarding, and industry compliance and organisational culture.  Speeding the value in human capital by improving digital access with the faster transitions in information flow.

 “Winning the Innovate with nbn™ Indigenous Business Award category and overall award got me into a position of scaling and commercialising my product. It was the catalyst I needed to support an ongoing problem experienced by people left behind in the digital change, self-determination with people first and elevating business performances so everyone wins.” 

Innovate with nbn™ is part of NBN Co’s commitment to regional and remote Australia to continue to help meet the needs of customers in regional and remote areas. This commitment includes more than $2 billion in network investments to improve connectivity and speeds for those living and working in regional areas of Australia.

Applications are online. For more information and to apply visit www.nbnco.com.au/innovatewithnbn

Applications close 30 November 2021.

Notes to editor: