Tassie IT companies share $5.6m Government grants

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 17 April 2007 12:07

IT Industry - Strategy

Eight companies from across Tasmania will share in more than $5.6 million in grants from the first round of funding under the Intelligent Island Market Access and Partnership Program (MAPP).

According to Tasmanian premier, Jim Lennon, 89 companies applied for funding under MAPP, a competitive, merit-based grant program that supports Tasmanian ICT companies to develop and commercialise products and services for a global market. MAPP will provide up to $18 million in funding over four rounds. Applications for the first two rounds closed last year. Rounds three and four are expected to be launched later this year.


MAPP is part of the Federal Government's $40 million Intelligent Island Program, set up with the proceeds of the first Telstra share sale. The program is administered by the Tasmanian Department of Economic Development.

The companies selected for funding in round one are:
- AS Consulting for
K2B (Knowledge to Business), an industry development program that will provide structured marketing training and funded work placements for 12 graduates within Tasmanian ICT companies;
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JadeLiquid Software to build on its product success with WebRenderer through diversifying its product portfolio;
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OnPix, a Launceston-based IT solutions company that develops, markets, distributes and supports online digital print ordering solutions. Its 'Point, shoot, print' project will involve collaboration with Sony to develop a new software product called OnPix Remote Kiosk Manager that will be installed in Sony's photo kiosks globally.
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KPM Pty Ltd to further develop and commercialise the tool for the Australian financial services market;
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The Learning Edge International to assist with further market expansion development in North America and the United Kingdom for its educational content management system;
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Roar Educate to assist the commercialisation of the intellectual property and e-learning products nationally and in the United Kingdom;
- Packaged Solutions for
Getbusi, a web access management package that allows schools, businesses and government departments to control and monitor the web access of students and employees. The MAPP funding will develop and expand markets, commercialise new products and increase management and business skills;
- Irrisys to help commercialise the two Irrisys flagship products, Remote Start and PumpGuard, in national and international markets.

All applications for funding under MAPP were assessed by an independent industry-based panel with expertise in technology, finance, management and commercialisation.