The fund will accelerate the development, commercialisation and adoption of bushfire technologies and services in NSW.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: From $200,000 to $8,000,000
- Application opened: 18 July 2022
- Application closed: 12 September 2022, 5:00 pm
Program objective
The Bushfire Commercialisation Fund (BCF) supporting early-stage companies develop and scale their products and services to attract investment by private capital.
The objective of the BCF is to enable businesses to:
- progress bushfire technology along the commercialisation pathway, or
- adapt existing technology for use in bushfire management or operations
The BCF targets innovative devices/systems within Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 – 7 to help them move along the TRL scale and enable them to attract large-scale private investment.
Further, the Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer is partnering with the Minderoo Foundation on the BCF. There are strong strategic alignments between the Minderoo’s Flood and Fire Initiative and the NSW Bushfire Response R&D Mission. For consenting applicants, the Minderoo Foundation will assess applications at their discretion and may provide additional or separate funding through associated existing programs and/or collaborations that are aligned to their Fire Shield Mission.
This program is administered by Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade and Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer.
Eligibility
A financially viable commercial enterprise based in NSW (e.g. location of manufacturing jobs, headquarters based in NSW, NSW investment); have an Australian Business Number (ABN); and be an Australian-registered company.
An individual who agrees to form such an entity with which NSW Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade (DEIT) can enter into a legally binding funding agreement.
A NSW public research organisation applying through its appropriate technology transfer office or the Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent) of the research organisation that will become a separate entity before entering into a legally binding funding agreement with NSW DEIT.
Projects that focus on the development of new and innovative devices and systems or repurpose existing technology in bushfire services.
Projects aiming to accelerate the development, commercialisation and adoption of bushfire technology or services in NSW.
Projects with a focus on improving planning, preparations for and responses to bushfires.
Projects demonstrating that the technology has reached a minimum of TRL of three and does not exceed TRL seven (Attachment A).
Projects holding the Intellectual Property or the rights to commercialise the device/system.
Projects demonstrating that any funding from the NSW Physical Sciences Fund (PSF) does not duplicate activities in the BCF application and is unique to commercialise bushfire-related technology.
Costs that are not directly associated with the implementation or delivery of the project.
Operating expenses such as rent, insurance, electricity, water, rates or funding associated with the organisation's core business activities.
Existing projects.
Most recent recipients
What was approved
Approved for FireFront Pty Ltd
Developing an offline network using personnel mobile devices, integrated into FireMapper providing crucial real-time fireground information.
$431,000 was approved by
Secretary, Enterprise, Investment and TradeDate approved
June 2023Location of the recipient
Sutherland ShireAbout the grant
Applications approved
5
Applications received
39
Bushfire Commercialisation Fund
Program term
Once commercial success of the project reaches cumulative EBITDA (less BCF Income) of over $500,000.What was approved
Approved for Halsyon Pty Ltd
Developing Responder HQ to help teams efficiently plan, coordinate, and deploy people and vehicles during emergencies.
$581,000 was approved by
Secretary, Enterprise, Investment and TradeDate approved
June 2023Location of the recipient
Albury CityAbout the grant
Applications approved
5
Applications received
39
Bushfire Commercialisation Fund
Program term
Once commercial success of the project reaches cumulative EBITDA (less BCF Income) of over $500,000.What was approved
Approved for SiNAB
Providing intelligence and surveillance capabilities for bushfire detection via the innovative Phoenix Pod that easily attaches to aircraft.
$215,400 was approved by
Secretary, Enterprise, Investment and TradeDate approved
June 2023Location of the recipient
Sutherland ShireAbout the grant
Applications approved
5
Applications received
39
Bushfire Commercialisation Fund
Program term
Once commercial success of the project reaches cumulative EBITDA (less BCF Income) of over $500,000.What was approved
Approved for Urban Research and Planning
Software tool to better manage evacuation and community safety from flood or bushfire events by producing up-to-date evacuation and avoidance routes.
$50,000 was approved by
Secretary, Enterprise, Investment and TradeDate approved
June 2023Location of the recipient
SydneyAbout the grant
Applications approved
5
Applications received
39
Bushfire Commercialisation Fund
Program term
Once commercial success of the project reaches cumulative EBITDA (less BCF Income) of over $500,000.What was approved
Approved for Zetifi
Building on ZetiLink to deliver last-mile connectivity for fireground management and operations.
$1,000,000 was approved by
Secretary, Enterprise, Investment and TradeDate approved
June 2023Location of the recipient
Wagga WaggaAbout the grant
Applications approved
5
Applications received
39
Bushfire Commercialisation Fund
Program term
Once commercial success of the project reaches cumulative EBITDA (less BCF Income) of over $500,000.What your application needs to include
Applicants must submit:
- a preliminary application form
- a 2-minute video clearly explaining:
- the problem it is intended to solve
- the scientific and technological basis for the device/system
- imagery of the device/system
- how it works
- how it would be applied to bushfire management and operation
- the intended outcome/benefit to the community.
- detail how the funding will be used to drive commercialisation.
To be eligible for the BCF organisations must be:
- Fit within one of these categories:
- a financially viable commercial enterprise based in NSW (e.g. location of manufacturing jobs, headquarters based in NSW, NSW investment); have an Australian Business Number (ABN); and be an Australian-registered company; or
- an individual who agrees to form such an entity with which NSW DEIT can enter into a legally binding funding agreement; or
- a NSW public research organisation applying through its appropriate technology transfer office or the Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent) of the research organisation that will become a separate entity before entering into a legally binding funding agreement with NSW DEIT.
- Have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Be headquartered in NSW and demonstrate that most of the project activities will take place in NSW.
- Demonstrate that the technology has reached a minimum of TRL of three and does not exceed TRL seven (Attachment A).
- Hold the Intellectual Property or the rights to commercialise the device/system.
- Demonstrate that any funding from the NSW Physical Sciences Fund (PSF) does not duplicate activities in the BCF application and is unique to commercialise bushfire-related technology.
Applications will be evaluated against information and evidence provided in relation to the following selection criteria:
- sound scientific/technological basis and application to bushfire management or operations
- understanding of the problem the device/system is trying to solve and why a customer would adopt this device/system
- innovation and competitive advantage
- anticipated economic, social and/or environmental benefits for bushfire preparation, mitigation, response and/or recovery in NSW
- sound project development
- demonstrated technology that has reached a minimum TRL of three and not exceed TRL seven.1 (Attachment A)
- understanding of customers and target market
- demonstrated financial need to commercialise product
- financial viability
- capabilities to commercialise the device / system and realise benefits.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Bushfire Commercialisation Fund's expert panel.
Eligibility screening by OCSE Secretariat
Only applications which meet all eligibility criteria as outlined in section 7
will progress to the next phase.
Assessment and shortlisting by the BCF Subcommittee
Eligible preliminary applications will be assessed against the selection criteria outlined above in Section 9. Only applications that demonstrate they meet all the criteria will progress to the next stage.
Interviews of shortlisted applicants by the Expert Panel
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to make a short presentation followed by questions from the Expert Panel. The Expert Panel will evaluate applicants interviewed and shortlisted applicants will progress to the final stage.
Final assessment and recommendations for funding by Expert Panel
Applicants complete a final application form comprising of more detailed financial information, and additional questions. The Expert Panel conducts a final assessment based on all criterion and determine which applications will be recommended for grant funding.
NSW DEIT will notify unsuccessful applicants at the end of each assessment stage after endorsement has been received and recorded from the required delegate. NSW DEIT, at its discretion, may choose not to award or recommend funding under this program.
Support and contact
Phone: 02 9228 5769