2026 Innovation Connect (ICON) Grant – Round 1
If you’re a Canberra-based startup working on proving your concept, validating your market, or building a prototype, the Innovation Connect (ICON) Grant through the Canberra Innovation Network may be worth serious consideration.
This program is designed specifically for early-stage businesses moving from idea to commercial validation.
What funding is available?
The ICON program provides dollar-for-dollar matched funding between $10,000 and $30,000.
With 50% of the grant funding is paid upfront
Eligibility
To be eligible you must:
- Have an ABN
- Be registered and primarily operating in the ACT
- Have annual turnover under $2 million
This program is aimed at genuine early-stage businesses, not established operators looking for expansion capital.
What can the grant funding be used for?
The objectives of the program are to:
- Move innovative ideas toward market readiness
- Prove technical or commercial feasibility
- Develop prototypes or functional software
- Support early marketing validation
- Obtain legal, IP or patent advice
You can use the grant funding for the following activities:
- Product development
- Resources and consumables specific to the project activities
- Development of marketing plans and strategies (excluding advertising costs and content)
- Website development or upgrades
- Staff wages and salaries specific to the project activities
- Technical feasibility testing
- Market testing and customer validation exercises
But does not include, general admin costs, major capital expenditure or costs already incurred.
The Application Process
This is not a simple online form submission. It’s a staged process:
Step 1 – Attend a mandatory ICON Introduction Meeting with CBRIN
Step 2 – Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Step 3 – If shortlisted, pitch to a panel
Want to learn more about the 2026 ACT Innovation Connect (ICON) Grant – Round 1?
Click here to learn more about the ACT Innovation Connect Grant and to book your intro meeting
Note Applications close 10 April 2026.
Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.
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Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052
