Two local businesses can now get their innovative projects off the ground and contributing to our circular economy, after receiving Clean Economy Grants from the City of Greater Geelong.
These grants support businesses to develop a solution or clean technology that assists our community to increase recycling, reduce waste to landfill, lessen energy use and work towards a circular economy.
The clean economy encompasses initiatives, practices and products which address climate change mitigation and adaptation, encourage renewables, and complement our transition to a circular economy.
FormFlow, based in North Shore, received $25,000 to develop and commercialise a new finance model to promote a circular economy in housing. This new approach for affordable and sustainable housing aims to replace the traditional ‘build to buy/rent’ model with lease financing of building modules.
Based in Newtown, digital creative agency Sequence Digital will use its $25,000 grant to bring new life to lithium-ion batteries collected from landfill. The battery management system is designed to run on cells from discarded consumer battery packs, powering their Rhino Instruments temperature monitors which are installed at the City’s Garden Organics Processing Facility.
These two projects were recognised for driving positive economic growth and sustainability outcomes in Greater Geelong, and their alignment with our UNESCO City of Design designation and the community-led 30-year vision for a clever and creative future.
The funding will go towards covering costs such as materials testing, prototyping, market research, research and development, testing to achieve accreditations/standards, and exploring intellectual property rights.
The City has previously supported several innovative businesses to launch new products and services through the Clean Economy Grants (formerly known as Cleantech and Circular Economy Grants).
This includes Austeng and Deakin University with their sustainable alternative to cement-based concrete, BOOM Power’s system to deliver tailored proposals for electrifying homes/businesses and Fulton Hogan’s cold mix asphalt product using biochar.
Between 2014-2021, the community benefits from these grants included 678 jobs created/maintained, 29 projects initiated, $19.4 million increase in sales, 60 businesses expanded and the attendance of more than 2,600 people at workshops and mentoring sessions.
Mayor Trent Sullivan
The 2023-2024 Clean Economy Grants round was hotly contested, with 18 applications requesting more than $360,000 in funding support.
Congratulations to FormFlow and Sequence Digital for pushing the boundaries and creating real-world solutions to key challenges that benefit the region.
Council is proud to support local projects that are often too small for state or federal funding, with the aim of expanding the circular economy, reducing environmental impacts and achieving net zero emissions.
Councillor Peter Murrihy – Chair of the Environment and Circular Economy portfolio
Greater Geelong was strengthening its global reputation as an international manufacturing and innovation hub each year.
The community’s drive to make Greater Geelong more sustainable and develop cutting-edge technology and solutions continues to benefit our environment and economy.
We’re so excited to foster demand for sustainable products and collaborate with local suppliers to meet that growing demand.
Grant applicants can access the extensive support offered by the City to help them start, run, and grow their business.
Check out the City’s Community Grants program.
