Up to $75,000 is available to prototype, pilot, and validate your MVP in NSW. To be eligible, you’ll generally need to be NSW-headquartered, have 10 FTE or fewer, and turnover of $400,000 or less.
Not sure if you’re the right stage yet? We’ll tell you quickly. If it’s a “not yet”, you’ll still leave with a plan.
If you’ve already got something tangible (not just an idea), MVP Ventures can be a great NSW grant to fund the next step. That might be a working prototype, a pilot lined up, a few early customers, or even a couple of decent letters of intent. On this page I’ll walk you through what the program actually looks for, and how to frame your answers so they score well.
MVP Ventures is a competitive NSW grant that helps you prove your MVP in the real world. It’s aimed at the stage where you’ve built something tangible and now need to validate it through pilots, customer trials, or other market-facing testing in NSW.
It tends to score best when there’s a clear line of sight to customers and a sensible plan to deliver the work mostly in NSW. It’s usually not the right fit for early research, or internal-only tools with no clear commercial pathway.
Companies that are: NSW-headquartered, incorporated, hold the IP or rights to commercialise, have ≤10 FTE (including founders) and ≤$400k aggregated turnover (per year) across the last three years. You’ll also need an Australian ADI bank account in the company’s name.
Before you get deep into the application, do a quick eligibility check. MVP Ventures is aimed at small NSW businesses, so the first filters are pretty clear.
In most cases, you’ll need to be NSW-headquartered, have 10 FTE or fewer, and turnover of $400,000 or less. You’ll also need to run the project mostly in NSW, with at least 80% of eligible spend typically occurring in NSW (and up to 20% outside NSW).
If you’re over any of these thresholds, it doesn’t mean you’re not a strong business. It just means this particular grant probably won’t fit.
There are two streams, and the main difference is the grant cap and how much cash you need to put in.
MVP Ventures applications are submitted through SmartyGrants. Use the official Department templates and upload the full pack when you submit. Once it’s in, you generally can’t edit it, so aim to have everything final before you hit submit.
It’s usually one application per business (and related parties) per round. If you need to pull it, you can withdraw, but you won’t get step-by-step progress updates. Most status updates sit in SmartyGrants under “My Submissions”.
One practical tip. If the cash co-contribution is going to be tight, it’s worth checking whether the R&D Tax Incentive can help fund eligible development costs while you prepare the MVP Ventures application. It can make the co-funding side cleaner and reduce last-minute scrambling. https://www.bulletpoint.com.au/rd-tax-incentive/
MVP Ventures is scored on evidence. Not enthusiasm. So write your answers like you’re proving a point, not telling a story.
Before you spend a weekend on an MVP Ventures application, it’s worth knowing where most people lose points. These are the ones we see again and again.
If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably doing more than “just checking eligibility”. That’s the right mindset for MVP Ventures.
We do two things well – government grants and the R&D Tax Incentive. And yes, we’re a bit fussy. We pre-score every MVP Ventures Program project before we take it on. If we don’t think it’s competitive, we’ll tell you early. No fluff. It’s not a judgement on your idea. It’s just saving you weeks of writing when the proof isn’t there yet.
When it’s not quite ready, we’ll usually point you to the fastest path to make it competitive. That might be lining up pilot partners, tightening the commercial story, or using the R&D Tax Incentive to fund eligible development while you build better evidence.
We’re generally a good fit for teams that can show a few real proof points. A working prototype, a clear TRL position, some customer pull (LOIs, paid trials, pilots), and a plan where the budget maps to milestones. You also need to be comfortable with the cash co-contribution and delivering most of the spend in NSW.
A quick example. Daktel secured $50,000 to help take a smart home tablet for seniors from prototype to operational trials and market readiness. That “prototype to traction” step is exactly what MVP Ventures is built to support.
Why us? We’ve helped clients secure $100m+ in government grants across software, medtech, advanced manufacturing and clean energy. We also understand how the R&D Tax Incentive fits alongside grant programs, so the documentation and evidence holds up. And we’re rated 4.8 from 250+ Google reviews.
If you want a straight 15-minute view on competitiveness, book a quick call below.
How do I apply for the MVP Ventures Program?
You apply through SmartyGrants. Complete the online form and upload the required documents using the official Department templates by the deadline. If something isn’t asked for, don’t add it.
What are the eligibility requirements?
You usually need to meet both business and project eligibility. In plain terms that’s NSW-headquartered, 10 FTE or fewer, turnover of $400,000 or less, and a project that fits the program stage (often TRL 3–9) and is delivered mostly in NSW. Stream rules apply as well.
What supporting documents do I need?
Most applications include an accountant declaration, financials (often a P&L), proof of co-funding (recent ADI bank letter or statement in the company name), a company extract (ASIC), and any evidence that supports demand or delivery (like LOIs or pilot letters). If you’re going for Stream 2, you’ll also need Stream 2 eligibility evidence.
Where do I find the templates?
On the official Investment NSW MVP Ventures Program page under Program Resources. You must use those templates.
Can I use my own templates or extra documents?
Generally no. Unrequested attachments and non-template documents are usually not considered. Stick to the template pack.
Can I submit more than one application in the same round?
No. It’s usually one application per business (and related parties) per round. If you submit multiple, only the first is typically assessed.
Can I change my application after I submit it?
Usually not. Once it’s submitted, you can generally withdraw, but you can’t edit. So do a final review before you hit submit.
How do I check status and when will I hear back?
Track it in SmartyGrants under “My Submissions”. You’ll be notified once assessment is complete. If you’re unsuccessful, feedback is typically provided.
