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Re: Applying For A Climate Ready Grant – Part 6

mjassociates — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 01:42:10 -0000

Feedback from government is that the success rate for this round of Climate Ready was less than 10%.

Building on @Peter Nolle's observation, most grants are treated as taxable income meaning that you ultimately pay 30% corporate tax on them if you're successful. That does diminish their value to some extent (but is necessary if you're comparing the after-tax R&D offset value with the before tax grant value).

There is also a big difference in the compliance regime under both programs. The R&D tax offset is a self-assessment entitlement system, whereas most grants require you to submit technical and financial statements on a periodic basis.

Climate Ready is a $75m four year program, so there is still some funding to be allocated if it is preserved through the current budget process.

Provided you meet the eligibility requirements, such as being incorporated, and having good quality planning documentation, applications for the R&D tax offset (and R&D tax concession) close on 30 April 2009 for the standard financial year ended 30 June 2008.

Re: National Innovation Review Documents Released

mjassociates — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:42:39 -0000

I've started pulling apart the R&D tax changes, which look mostly positive for Technation Types. Brief blog post here: http://snipurl.com/3oovk They seem to have taken a very narrow view of "open source software" as code donated rather than released under a bounty, or other commercial arrangement.

Further commentary to come on grants, VC etc, just as my interests guide me. It's going to be an interesting road to travel from here to Christmas.

KH - quote away, just attribute ;)

Re: Sydney OpenCoffee Hits 400 Members

mjassociates — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:44:40 -0000

Kim, I'm a late starter but got you closer to 100. Congratulations (and thanks again for buying my coffee this morning)! Look forward to many many more Open Coffees. John

Re: Applying For A Climate Ready Grant - Part 1

mjassociates — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:06:00 -0000

Hi Malcolm, that's certainly very helpful feedback so far. I look forward to your further posts in this series. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Re: Deadline For National Innovation Review Report Extended By A Month

mjassociates — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:09:57 -0000

I think there is a role for intervention where Australia has clear market problems (or, alternatively the government wants to boldly predict a future "sunrise" or other industry).

I suspect, however, that there is more to be gained by creating a business, innovation and investment environment that allows success to happen. We call this the "beehive" model of innovation, a term coined by Michael Johnson...

You can read more here: http://www.innovationisindu...

Feedback welcome :)

Re: Applying For A Climate Ready Grant - Part 1

mjassociates — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 08:16:35 -0000

Hi Malcolm, thanks for posting on this - it's always interesting to hear how AusIndustry are going to handle a new program.

From their public materials it seems that the "green" hurdle will only be for basic eligibility and then you're into the traditional 5 factor assessment criteria that they've lifted from Commercial Ready.

Thus, it doesn't seem to matter how strong the green credentials of your project are - so it will be very interesting to follow your progress.

As a word of caution, though: $75 million sounds like a big number, but if it's divided 16 ways (4 annual rounds over 4 years) it means each round would award, on average, $4.7 million to all successful companies.

That alone should be a reason to ensure you have your hat in the ring.