The MVP Ventures 2025–2026 Program offers innovators in New South Wales a valuable opportunity to take their products closer to market.
For early-stage innovators with a developed Minimum Viable Product (MVP), the NSW Government has launched a competitive grant program to support initial commercialisation stages called the MVP Ventures program.
Startups and Small-to-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that are aiming to commercialise a new and innovative product or process may be eligible to benefit from this program.
Intellectual Property (IP) considerations
Before diving into the details of the program, some consideration from an IP perspective is required. In this regard, it is important to bear in mind that the details of a new and innovative product or process must remain confidential until a suitable IP strategy for the innovation has been developed, or at the very least considered.
It is vitally important to be aware that early publication (including online publications) or commercial use of a new product or process could potentially adversely impact the ability to secure valid IP registrations for the innovation, particularly valid patent, design and trade mark registrations. It is therefore critically important that the IP strategy has been considered, together with the nature and extent of any details of the product that may be disclosed, before submitting an application for a grant.
The MVP Ventures Program
The information provided on the NSW Government’s website for the MVP Program specifies that the objective of the program is to support eligible businesses in establishing a commercial footing during the pre-market development and commercialisation pathways associated with their innovations.
In summary,
- the grant supports startups and innovative SMEs in the product lifecycle between early-stage research and mature investment opportunities
- the program is available to innovative businesses in NSW, including startups and SMEs
- the available grants range from $25,000 to $50,000 (or $75,000 in certain cases).
Eligible projects
The following projects would be eligible:
- prototyping and piloting studies
- demonstrating the commercial viability of an innovative product to a customer or investor
- completing the development of an innovative product
- demonstrating a product in an operational environment
Assessment Criteria
Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:
Innovation – an ability to demonstrate that the product:
- addresses a realistic and well-defined problem backed by industry research
- is new or significantly different to what already exists
- provides a solution that meets a market need
Commercialisation – an ability to demonstrate that the product:
- is commercially viable
- supports NSW Industry Policy Missions
- will deliver economic, environmental and/or social benefits to NSW
Deliverability – an ability to detail how the project will be delivered by outlining:
- the project outcomes, milestones, key activities, and risks
- the project team’s capacity, along with appropriate management, commercial, professional, and technical expertise to deliver the project
Timing
The current program, which will run over the course of the 2025-2026 Financial Year, provides opportunities for applications to be made across three funding rounds, closing in September 2025, December 2025 and April 2026, respectively.
How we can help
The MVP Program represents an opportunity for eligible innovators to gain financial assistance to support early stage commercialisation efforts.
Reach out to our expert patent team if you would like guidance and further information on the process of developing a suitable IP strategy for your new product or process at any stage, including prior to submitting any grant applications.