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NSW MVP Ventures

A$20,000–A$50,000 covering up to 50% of eligible cost in Stream 1, or A$20,000–A$75,000 covering up to 75% in Stream 2 for qualifying women-owned, regional, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses · Investment NSW

NSW MVP Ventures is a grant programme from Investment NSW for Early-stage technology startups based in New South Wales, Australia, validating an innovative minimum viable product Current lifecycle: closed. Real economics: A$20,000–A$50,000 covering up to 50% of eligible cost in Stream 1, or A$20,000–A$75,000 covering up to 75% in Stream 2 for qualifying women-owned, regional, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.

Tier 3governmentaustraliagrantnon-dilutive

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Key facts

FunderInvestment NSW
AmountA$20,000–A$50,000 covering up to 50% of eligible cost in Stream 1, or A$20,000–A$75,000 covering up to 75% in Stream 2 for qualifying women-owned, regional, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses
Decision timeNo universal final-decision time is published; submitted rounds move through eligibility, competitive assessment, independent panel and ministerial decision.
EligibilityA qualifying NSW business must commercialise an innovative pre-market product at TRL 3–9, conduct funded activity in NSW over 3–12 months, hold the IP or commercialisation rights, and provide the stream-specific cash contribution.
RestrictionsAwardees execute the funding agreement and report eligible NSW project activity, milestones, outcomes and expenditure. Projects must be 3–12 months, advance TRL 3–9 and use only eligible NSW expenditure; the grant percentage never removes the cash co-contribution.
Statusclosed

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

  1. Submit a complete SmartyGrants application
  2. Pass eligibility review
  3. Receive competitive assessment on innovation, commercialisation and deliverability
  4. Undergo independent-panel review
  5. Receive the Minister's final decision

Background

Investment NSW operates NSW MVP Ventures. This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. Round 1 supported 22 startups The 2025–26 program committed up to A$3 million and reserved up to half of each round for each of two access streams

How the application really works

Submit a complete SmartyGrants application → Pass eligibility review → Receive competitive assessment on innovation, commercialisation and deliverability → Undergo independent-panel review → Receive the Minister's final decision

Tips

Watch out for

Track record

One round's award count is public, but application totals and a comparable acceptance rate are not.

Frequently asked questions

Is this actionable now?
closed. Round 3 closed 10 April 2026; the A$3 million 2025–26 program had three competitive rounds and current applications are under assessment.
What is the real economic value?
A$20,000–A$50,000 covering up to 50% of eligible cost in Stream 1, or A$20,000–A$75,000 covering up to 75% in Stream 2 for qualifying women-owned, regional, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses
Who is eligible?
A qualifying NSW business must commercialise an innovative pre-market product at TRL 3–9, conduct funded activity in NSW over 3–12 months, hold the IP or commercialisation rights, and provide the stream-specific cash contribution.
How does selection work?
Submit a complete SmartyGrants application; Pass eligibility review; Receive competitive assessment on innovation, commercialisation and deliverability; Undergo independent-panel review; Receive the Minister's final decision. No universal final-decision time is published; submitted rounds move through eligibility, competitive assessment, independent panel and ministerial decision.
What burden and restrictions apply?
Awardees execute the funding agreement and report eligible NSW project activity, milestones, outcomes and expenditure. Projects must be 3–12 months, advance TRL 3–9 and use only eligible NSW expenditure; the grant percentage never removes the cash co-contribution.
What evidence exists?
Round 1 supported 22 startups The 2025–26 program committed up to A$3 million and reserved up to half of each round for each of two access streams One round's award count is public, but application totals and a comparable acceptance rate are not.

Related grants

1517 Fund Medici Micro-Grant$1,000 or more; the official route does not publish a universal maximum · 1517 FundNat Friedman & Daniel Gross Grants (AI Grant)USD 250,000 maximum; see notes for structure · Nat Friedman & Daniel GrossAnthropic Startup ProgramAnthropic may provide API credits and other program benefits; the current official terms publish no universal numeric benefit value. · AnthropicAnthropic Fellows Program (AI Safety)$3,850 USD, £2,310 GBP or $4,300 CAD per week, plus approximately $15,000 per month of compute; the official source does not publish a guaranteed total stipend · AnthropicAnthropic Economic Futures — Research AwardsUSD 50,000 maximum; see notes for structure · AnthropicOpenAI Researcher Access ProgramUSD API credits 1,000 maximum; see notes for structure · OpenAI

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