Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas announced today that local businesses Story Box Library and Common Ground Trails have been awarded grants from the Technology Adoption and Innovation Program.
· Story Box Library aims to create a hybrid mobile/tablet app extension of the Story Box Library educational video streaming website for free use by all subscribers, especially designed for ease of use for preschool and lower primary students.
· Common Ground Trails plans on adopting specialised technology and digital tools to streamline and finetune business management and reporting systems The Andrews Labor Government has supported 134 small to medium-size Victorian businesses to implement digital solutions or create new innovative products that improve productivity, drive growth and create jobs through the Technology Adoption and Innovation Program.
The $5 million Technology Adoption and Innovation Program gave businesses the opportunity to apply for grants of up to $50,000 for innovative tech projects.
The grants came under one of two funding streams:
· Stream 1 allows small to medium-sized enterprises to partner with a specialised technology provider to improve their productivity and competitiveness. The partnerships may include implementing new e-commerce systems, artificial intelligence or machine learning processes, data analytics, robotics or cyber security technology.
· Stream 2 was for companies involved in technology development to create new products and services. Product development could be across areas including micro or nanotechnology, software for business-to-business messaging, fintech applications, healthcare equipment and retail technology.
Across the state, recipients of the grants showed their impressive projects spanning a range of sectors, from e-commerce, to construction technology, artificial intelligence, agtech and medical devices.
Victoria has always led Australia in its innovation and tech-based capability and there is no doubt that these new funded projects will spur the creation of many new and exciting opportunities, creative jobs, economic growth and further cement Victoria’s position as a leading tech hub.
Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
"I’d like to congratulate our two local Kyneton businesses Story Box Library and Common Ground Trails on their successful grant applications. I am looking forward to watching them take their business to the next level."