The Minns Labor Government is backing NSW innovators with more than $1 million in funding for 20 small startups and businesses through the MVP Ventures Program. This final round takes the total support provided to small innovative businesses to $3 million this financial year helping to turn home-grown ideas into commercial success, creating jobs and strengthening the state’s economy.
As the final funding round for 2025-26, the investment demonstrates the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to delivering on the NSW Innovation Blueprint, helping more businesses commercialise new ideas, attract investment, create jobs and grow industries of the future in NSW.
More than half the funding has been awarded to female and regional founders, helping ensure the benefits of innovation are shared across the state and not concentrated in metropolitan centres alone.
From life-saving medical technologies and advanced manufacturing solutions to cutting-edge cyber security products and innovations that improve community safety, the funded projects demonstrate the ingenuity and ambition of NSW entrepreneurs.
The MVP Ventures Program helps NSW startups and small businesses bridge the gap between product development and commercial success, giving them the support they need to attract private investment, grow their businesses and create high-value jobs.
Round three MVP Ventures grant recipients include:
- EthicAI Pty Ltd – developing a safer way for websites and apps to check that users are old enough without collecting or storing their personal information.
- Global Surgical Innovations Pty Ltd – developing regenerative graft materials to be used in surgery to repair damaged tissues. The graft enables natural healing and then dissolves like a resorbable suture leaving no footprint in the body.
- The Movement Belt Pty Ltd – developing a lightweight, easy-to-use wearable belt that provides gentle rhythmic vibrations, with optional sound, while walking. The product allows users to select their own rhythm and is designed for everyday use.
- UndaTech Pty Ltd – developing a fire-resistant undershirt designed for women working in defence, emergency services, construction, mining and other high-risk jobs.
Through a dedicated funding stream, the program is also helping broaden participation in the NSW innovation ecosystem and improve access to commercialisation support for underrepresented founders and businesses across the state.
For more information and the full list of funding recipients visit MVP Ventures Program.
Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said:
“This latest round takes the Minns Labor Government’s investment in innovative small busineses through the MVP Ventures Program to $3 million this year.
“We’re delivering on the Innovation Blueprint and NSW Industry Policy, by building a stronger pipeline from idea to commercial success so more businesses can start, scale and thrive in NSW.
“NSW businesses are developing smart, practical solutions to challenges across a wide range of sectors including in health, manufacturing, cyber security, clean energy and construction.”
Minister for Small Business, Janelle Saffin said:
“Small businesses are the backbone of the NSW economy, but bridging that critical funding gap between an innovative concept and commercial success is incredibly challenging.
“Through this latest round, we are delivering on our commitment to help local startups turn brilliant ideas into thriving enterprises, creating jobs and strengthening industries right across our state.”
Kara Bombell, Co-Founder, EthicAI said:
“Digital platforms need effective ways to meet age assurance requirements without asking users to surrender unnecessary personal information.
“This funding will help us commercialise privacy-preserving age verification infrastructure that confirms eligibility while protecting personal data.”
Dr Christella Mylordi, Director/Co-Founder, Global Surgical Innovations said:
“We are developing a regenerative, resorbable graft material, designed to replace the harvesting of cartilage in nasal reconstructive surgery to improve breathing. Why harvest tissues when surgeons can use a consistent regenerative graft off-the-shelf?
“The MVP Ventures grant will help us progress our actv-graft® product towards market and support the commercialisation of NSW-developed medical technology.”
Jonathan Durrheim, Founder and Director, The Movement Belt Pty Ltd, said:
“Walking is such an important part of everyday life, and our aim is to make rhythmic prompting simple and accessible through a practical wearable product.
“The Movement Belt provides a rhythm through gentle vibrations, with optional sound, while walking.
“This grant will help us complete product testing, prepare our first pilot batch and gather valuable feedback from early users and community partners as we work towards commercial release.”
Emily Pyke, CEO, UndaTech said:
“Women working in defence, emergency services and high-risk industries need protective clothing designed specifically for their fit and operational requirements.
“The MVP Ventures grant will help us develop and commercialise a fire-resistant operational undershirt that improves comfort, protection and performance.”
