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Innovate with nbn® Grants Program


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 fourth year, the program will again recognise and showcase regional and remote businesses.

Logo for Innovate with nbn 2023


Who can apply? 


We’re looking for digital businesses in regional and remote Australia who live and breathe technology and are:

  • Harnessing the benefits of the nbn network to enable regional Australians to live, learn and work in a digital society
  • Innovative digital businesses challenging 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
  • are located in regional Australia
  • have an ABN
  • have an Australian bank account (corresponding to the ABN)
  • apply for one category



Agriculture award winner and last year’s Champion, TerraLab


Discover how TerraLab, overall winner of the Innovate with nbn Grants Program, has accelerated its innovation efforts with help from the grant.





Grant categories


This year the Innovate with nbn Grants Program offers seven specific categories and an overall Champion award. 
 

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. 


When it comes to health care services, there’s new levels of innovation that are driving better health outcomes across Australia. We are looking for businesses working in this space with digital ideas that are not only innovative, but aim to improve access to health solutions for regional and remote Australians. 

The arts and cultural communities throughout regional Australia are brimming with people from all walks of life. We’re looking for businesses run by artists who continue to deliver exciting content, and use technology to bring their passion to life – engaging with audiences both domestically and internationally. 

With education becoming more accessible online, and the pandemic years forcing a shift to digital and remote learning – the need for innovate 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. 


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.


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. 


When it comes to health care services, there’s new levels of innovation that are driving better health outcomes across Australia. We are looking for businesses working in this space with digital ideas that are not only innovative, but aim to improve access to health solutions for regional and remote Australians. 


The arts and cultural communities throughout regional Australia are brimming with people from all walks of life. We’re looking for businesses run by artists who continue to deliver exciting content, and use technology to bring their passion to life – engaging with audiences both domestically and internationally. 


With education becoming more accessible online, and the pandemic years forcing a shift to digital and remote learning – the need for innovate 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. 


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.



Grants


The program will award one grant of $15,000 to an organisation or business project aligned with each of the above categories. 
 
Additionally, one regional/remote business will be recognised and awarded with the ‘Innovate with nbn® Champion award’ worth an additional $20,000. 
 
Keep in mind that you can only apply to one category and you’ll need an Australian Business Number (ABN) to qualify. 

7 x $15,000

Covering each of the categories:

  • Health
  • Arts
  • Education
  • Agriculture
  • Tourism
  • Women in Regional Business 
  • Indigenous Business 

$20,000

Innovate with nbn® Champion

 



Applications


Applications opened on 21 August 2023.


Applications closed on 29 September 2023.

Successful Grant recipients will be announced late November 2023.

If your application has been successful, we will contact you to discuss next steps and when we will announce the winners. If you’re not selected for a grant in one of our designated categories, we’ll email you a notification in the new year to let you know. 






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, and in 2019 a dedicated business unit - nbn® Regional & 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)

The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) is the only national, independent think tank dedicated to supporting the prosperity of regional Australia. Our research and community engagement enables us to develop strong policy solutions to transform Australia’s future. The RAI’s purpose is to empower regions to thrive.