Is your business at the entrepreneurial or start-up stage, and do you need help to take it to the next level? Are you doing something unique and need support to take that product or service to the world?
Applications are open for the joint Business SA-Federal Government Entrepreneurs’ Programme, with grants available.
The Entrepreneurs’ Programme helps owners and operators improve their business practices, become more competitive, and take advantage of growth opportunities.
A dedicated growth facilitator will provide access to extensive networks, information, resources, strategies, and specialists unique to business needs.
The growth facilitator will work with an owner or operator to develop a unique growth roadmap and help the business achieve its vision. Businesses can also apply for a matched Growth Grant of up to $20,000 to action recommendations from the business roadmap.
CAN YOU APPLY?
To be eligible for the program, a business must be solvent, have been trading for three years or more, have an ACN and an annual turnover or expenditure of between $1.5 million and $100 million (or $750,000 to $1.5 million if the business is based in remote Australia).
The business must also operate in one of the following growth sectors:
Advanced Manufacturing
Food and Agribusiness
Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals
Mining Equipment, Technology and services and/or Oil, Gas and Energy Resources or
Providing enabling technologies and/or ICT & Professional services to one or more of the growth sectors
Access to the scheme can be made at the following link:
“Headstart” trade mark applications are assessed within 5-10 days. Instead of filing a standard trade mark application and then waiting 6 or 7 months to find out if there are any problems, it is possible to “test the water” by first filing an application through IP Australia’s fast-track headstart system.
Five to 10 days after filing the application (and sometimes even sooner) a Trade Mark Examiner issues a headstart report listing any objections that are likely to be raised during formal examination. The Trade Mark Applicant then has a further five days to decide their next step. The options are either to (1) formally file the application or (2) abandon the application.
Once a headstart application has been formally filed, the details of the application are made publicly available on the Australian Trade Marks Register and the application proceeds through formal examination (nb. the details of abandoned headstart applications are never made public). The objections mentioned in the headstart report are likely to be raised during formal examination, and it’s at that time that the Trade Mark Applicant has the opportunity to respond.
For more on Australian trade mark applications, you can find our information sheet here.
With a kernel of an idea, a new concept or something unique, anything can happen. Madderns is supporting the search for new ideas and the opportunity to connect businesses with innovators, by playing a role in the Australian eChallenge.
The Australian eChallenge ™ pre-accelerator is an entrepreneurship program founded by the University of Adelaide’s Entrepreneurship Commercialisation and Innovation Centre, where teams including at least one student from any teaching institution nationally have an opportunity to learn how innovators create, develop, assess and action ideas for a business, app, product or service. It provides opportunities to interact with innovators from South Australian-based local and international businesses, industry leaders, and voluntary mentors.
Teams can win cash or prizes to assist them to launch a business. Notable past winners include Life Whisperer. Individuals and teams are eligible to enter categories including Open, Biogen, Agri-Food & Wine, Digital and Social Enterprise. The winners of the 2020 Australian eChallenge ™ will be announced at an awards lunch tomorrow, via livestream on Tuesday 1 December, 12:30pm to 1:30pm ACST.
Madderns partner and registered patent and trade mark attorney Bill McFarlane has been working with the Australian eChallenge since its inception 17 years ago and as a finals judge for many of those years. He sees it as an opportunity to guide and support student-based teams of entrepreneurs as they step up and present their concepts as a business plan.
“The Australian eChallenge provides an invaluable opportunity for budding entrepreneurs and innovators to find the right people to talk to, whether they be business mentors, government representatives, potential partners or patent and trade mark attorneys to help them understand their idea, design and brand protection options” Mr McFarlane said.
“The Australian eChallenge gives students and their team an opportunity to present to business people who can assist and support them during the early stages and learn from the process of creating a business plan. Team building, methods for idea assessment, market analysis and what it will take to deliver goods or services are available to all teams. All these activities are provided in an encouraging, convivial and collaborative environment, so who wouldn’t want to be involved in the Australian eChallenge™ pre-accelerator?”
“Madderns values being involved in the Australian eChallenge process as a way to contribute to the development of people and businesses of the future.”
We’ve been working with Will and Gavin at Voxon Photonics for more than a decade, helping them to secure their IP and take their technology to the world. Voxon is responsible for developing the world’s most advanced, 3D holographic display – viewable from any angle without glasses!
At Madderns we are proud to protect great ideas. We have the experience, expertise and proven track record to provide the specialist, intellectual property services and advice needed to secure, and defend, the brands and technology underpinning the successes of your business.
Find out more about Voxon Photonics in the video, here.
The Kentucky Derby is one of the best-known horse races in the world and thanks to our client, Steriline Racing, the annual event got off to a perfect start earlier this month.
Steriline specialises in the design, manufacture, installation and servicing of starting gates, exporting to more than 50 countries.
Steriline recently designed, manufactured and supplied a new starting gate for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Racecourse in Louisville, Kentucky, USA – which is now another jewel in Steriline’s crown.
For the 146th consecutive time, the horses lined up in Steriline’s gates for the annual event on September 5, despite no crowds being allowed at an event renown internationally for its colour and excitement.
Authentic took the rose garland, with Tiz the Law runner-up, but the glory for South Australian-based manufacturer Steriline Racing was the pride that no-one took notice of the uneventful start to the race, which was entirely due to the world standard starting gate designed and manufactured in Mt Barker.
Steriline Managing Director John Fargher was pleased to have been approached by the Kentucky Derby organisers to provide equipment and become involved in this very popular event.
“This is the first time we’ve been involved in the Kentucky Derby and being asked to provide a custom gate was a highlight for Steriline Racing, and we really value being involved in some of the world’s greatest racing events,” Mr Fargher said.
Madderns helps Steriline with its patents and trade marks, with gates also used at Royal Ascot (England), Sha Tin (Hong Kong Jockey Club), Flemington (Victoria) and many other international destinations across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
“Madderns is always on hand to answer questions and respond to our needs, and they provide us with IP updates when they come to hand. We value our involvement with the team,” Mr Fargher added.
The team at Madderns congratulate Steriline Racing for being a world-leader in its field.
