NSW drops $10m into start-ups tackling state challenges

Several NSW start-ups have received about $1m in funding under a new push for critical technologies which embrace environmental and other challenges.

Zetifi has received near $1m from the NSW Government to develop a suite of solar-powered wireless network devices and systems that use long range Wi-Fi to provide coverage in areas not covered by mobile network operators. Picture: Supplied

Several NSW start-ups have received about $1m in funding under a push for critical technologies that tackle environmental and other challenges.

NSW Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Alister Henskens will announce the $10m investment on Thursday as part of the state government’s Small Business Innovation and Research program.

Mr Henskens said each of the 10 selected start-ups had an objective to fix issues such as public transport, waste purification or regional connectivity.

“These collaborations have found ways to tackle clearly defined real world problems,” he said. “NSW has a highly innovative small business sector and by supporting these businesses to develop homegrown solutions, we can not only improve social and environmental outcomes, but boost our innovation economy by creating high-value jobs and growing hi-tech industries.”

Among those to receive funding were 3rd Axis and AusAir, both of which have projects that seek to reduce waste from personal protective equipment.

Infinite Water and PEGRAS will receive funding for their projects designed to reduce microplastic among other chemicals and pollutants in waterways.

Biodiversity Monitoring Services and Ninox won places under the challenge of monitoring the koala population.

Zetifi has pitched a project to develop a ZetiNet platform which includes a number of solar-powered wireless network devices to provide Wi-Fi over long ranges, and Innovation 4 Humanity will develop an antenna system to provide high data connectivy over long ranges.

The last two projects to receive funding were Advanced Navigation and BindiMaps, both of which will provide navigation to people with disabilities or vision impairments.

NSW Chief Scientist Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte said all of the businesses had already completed a feasibility test under phase one of the SBIR program and would look to complete their projects within 15 months.

“The devices and systems being developed by these NSW businesses are cutting-edge, and this stage is key to ensuring they can commercialise and realise their potential,” he said.

“Some of the innovative technologies receiving funding include a method to turn plastic waste from hospitals into 3D printing feedstock, a solar-powered Wi-Fi system to provide coverage in places mobile network operators cannot reach and a treatment to remove microplastics from water.”

Originally published as NSW drops $10m into start-ups tackling state challenges