Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research and Tasmania’s Minister for Economic Development, Michael Aird, today announced that 14 Tasmanian organisations will share $6.7 million from the fourth and final round of the Intelligent Island Market Access and Partnership Program (MAPP).
"MAPP is assisting the Tasmanian information and communication technology (ICT) sector to develop innovative capabilities and products for Australia and the global market," Senator Carr said.
"If we are serious about unlocking Australia’s innovation potential, we have to develop enabling technologies like ICT. In Tasmania, MAPP is making a significant contribution to helping companies meet this challenge."
Senator Carr said today’s announcement brings the total number of projects benefiting from the $18 million in MAPP funding to 32.
MAPP is a competitive, merit-based grant program which aims to foster the Tasmanian ICT industry by supporting the development of products for export interstate or overseas. Applications are assessed by an independent industry-based panel with experience in all areas of commercialisation.
Mr Aird said the round four projects exemplified the diverse capabilities of Tasmanian businesses in the ICT sector.
"These projects will contribute to the Intelligent Island program’s objective of achieving long-term, sustainable growth in the state’s ICT industry," Mr Aird said.
"The successful commercial grants offered to companies cover software development, commercialisation, and market expansion across the finance, e learning, e-health and aged-care industries," he said.
The round includes three special grants:
• peak body TasICT has been funded to support the delivery of a Tasmanian ICT Industry Annual Conference, improve and maintain an ICT Directory and provide skill-matching services;
• In-tellinc was funded to help deliver a series of sales workshops for Tasmanian ICT companies; and
• the very successful Knowledge to Business Program was given additional funding to place marketing graduates in ICT companies.
"MAPP has been well received by the Tasmanian ICT industry, as the funding has enabled businesses to successfully commercialise a range of new products, processes and services, and secure new markets off-island, providing an economic benefit to Tasmania," Mr Aird said.
Companies funded over the 18 months since MAPP's inception have already generated revenue for the state exceeding $7 million and created 105 new jobs.
For more information about the MAPP program and other business assistance, contact the Tasmanian Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s Business Point on 1800 440 026.
Details of the successful round four projects are below.
Media inquiries: Patrick Pantano, Minister Carr's office, 0417 181 936
Sue Bailey, Minister Aird's office, 0417 550 279