Liquid Instruments, Micro-X and Evosonic are among the most recent recipients of grants under the Federal Government’s Industry Growth Program.

Grants worth a combined $17.1 million have been awarded to 12 start-ups and small to medium enterprises in the latest round of the Federal Government’s Industry Growth Program (IGP).

Managed by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, the IGP offers matched grant funding to help businesses commercialise new products, processes and services in priority areas for National Reconstruction Fund and also helps to build manufacturing capability.

The latest grants announced in late September include:

· $4.4 million for South Australia-based Micro-X to help it conduct a trial of its light-weight Head CT imaging device being fitted to an ambulance – in order to provide stroke imaging on the spot. The funds will support manufacture of a prototype and its fitout into a South Australian Ambulance Service vehicle, as well as the trial and data generation for regulatory approval.

· $4.9 million for Liquid Instruments to help it finalise development and pilot manufacturing in Australia of its software-defined test and measuring device Moku:RF.

· $2.9 million to Relectrify Holdings for development and commercialisation of its CellSwitch cell-level control battery storage technology, to be used in heavy duty applications such as electric trucks, buses and mining vehicles.

· $2.1 million to Evosonic for ongoing development of its non-destructive testing equipment for providers of testing services in the defence, mining, space and oil and gas markets, and

· $250,000 in an early stage commercialisation grant for Paladin Space, for a lab environment demonstration of its planned reusable robotic space debris capture system.

Combined, 87 grants totally $132 million have been awarded by the Department so far, with grant amounts ranging from $50,000 to $5 million, with grant applications assessed on merit by an independent committee.

Images: Micro-X plans to conduct a case study of its Head CT imaging device after after receiving government support.