A world-first medical device that could help throat cancer patients to speak again is one of eight innovative projects to share in $3.9 million in funding from the Morrison Government’s Accelerating Commercialisation grants program.

Laronix will use its $551,100 grant to further develop its specialised voice cloning and artificial voice box medical technology which can restore speech for larynx amputees.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter said the grants were designed to support Australian companies like Laronix to scale up and break into new domestic and international markets, while also growing new local job opportunities.

“The Government is proud to support Australian businesses to commercialise innovative ideas that have the potential to change our lives for the better,” Minister Porter said.

“Not only are we backing these businesses to grow into new markets, we’re also helping to grow the jobs of the future, which is especially important as we continue to recover from COVID-19.”

The other successful projects to receive funding are:

• Curtin University (WA) with a grant of $209,485 to commercialise its innovative packaging technology for use in the oil and gas, pharmaceutical and chemical processing industries.
• Curvecrete (VIC) with a grant of $325,158 to commercialise its robotic mould that can produce bespoke curved concrete panels for use in the building and construction industry.
• Data Farming Pty Ltd (QLD) with a grant of $322,753 to commercialise and scale its soil mapping system for use across multiple agricultural industries including rice, cotton, grains, and horticulture, and environmental compliance.
• Locii Pty Ltd (NSW) with a grant of $992,203 to commercialise its world-leading multi-biometric authentication service to provide the highest possible level of confidence for high risk authentication scenarios.
• Metrolo Pty Ltd (WA) with a grant of $998,783 to commercialise its planning and optimisation tool for the distributed energy market.
• Odio Tech Pty Ltd (NSW) with a grant of $163,690 to commercialise its Tinnibot technology, an innovative digital therapeutic solution for tinnitus sufferers.
• SmartOysters Pty Ltd (NSW) with a grant of $398,350 to commercialise its mobile map-based farm operations application for small-medium scale aquaculture farmers.

Accelerating Commercialisation grants are part of the Government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme, which has provided 551 grants worth more than $270 million to Australian businesses since it was established in 2014.

More information on the grant recipients is available at: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/accelerating-commercialisation/accelerating-commercialisation-funding-offers

Information on how to join the Entrepreneurs’ Programme and apply for an Accelerating Commercialisation grant is available at www.business.gov.au/ep.