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March 2009
The Stepping Up finalists are: Bandwidth Foundry International Optical component development and manufacturing, www.bwfoundry.com ASSOB is currently accepting bookings from Issuers wishing to be featured in the first edition of Smart Capital Magazine. Being featured in the Smart Capital magazine is ideal for any company currently raising capital, about to raise capital or who has raised capital but wants to increase demand for their shares and potentially increase their value and create some liquidity through the ASSOB Secondary board. Smart Capital will provide the largest "Class Order converted" subscriber list in Australia. Companies cannot advertise their offer in the press unless that magazine is subscriber only and properly converted. The digital version of the magazine will go out to the entire ASSOB list (including many overseas potential investors). ASSOB will be doing a lot of JV marketing and a significant viral campaign to build the list further. In terms of the print version of the magazine, 10,000 copies will go out for the first run. The biggest names in the finance and investment industry are on the list of recipients including 250 of Australia's leading venture capital firms, private equity groups, fund managers, government bodies and institutional investors. To subscribe for free go to www.smartcapitalmagazine.com.au
An update on where grants are at the moment. The NSW State government still has Stepping up Programs, Export planning and export assistance programs and a number of energy and water efficiency grants available to business. The Australian Technology Showcase program and regional assistance programs still operate. Federally, many grants were put on hold at the change of government, particularly the Commercial Ready Program. Reviews into innovation, car industry, agriculture, textiles and the emissions trading program have seen a change in emphasis for grants. The familiar COMET grant is available still. This grant provides up to $120,000 for emerging technologies. This grant will most likely remain, however a review of the management of the system will take place in June 2009. The Export Market Development Grant (EMDG), has suffered in the last few years from being under funded. This claim year there have been a number of changes, the most significant being that an extra $50,000,000 has been allocated to the program, the limit has been raised to $200,000 and Intellectual property costs can be claimed. The R&D concession was part of the innovation review. Recommendations, accepted by the Rudd government will enhance this program however that is likely to be at least after the next budget. The current scheme still provides a significant benefit to new businesses with 7.5% net benefit on R&D costs. The use of grants by the governments will become more widespread with the current economic conditions. Business will need to remain aware of what is available and when it is time to apply. To find out more contact Alchemy’s specialist grant advisor Stuart Smith here.
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