Jump start for circuit boards
A Mackay business that has developed a system to produce circuit boards more quickly than before is one of 70 companies that will receive a grant as part of more than $8.3 million in Palaszczuk Government innovation funding.
Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert announced Mackay-based Innovatium was among the latest round of companies to gain support from the Advance Queensland Ignite Ideas fund.
“We’re committed to investing in innovation to create jobs in Mackay,” she said.
“That’s why we’re supporting Innovatium with $100,000 in Ignite Ideas funding. This is a company that is ready to commercialise their system and scale up.
“I’m proud to say three companies from Mackay and the Whitsundays, including Innovatium, will each receive significant funding today.
“This just goes to show Mackay is a hub for regional innovators in Queensland.”
Innovation Minister Kate Jones said Ignite Ideas was about supporting entrepreneurs from across Queensland to grow their businesses and employ more staff.
“These companies will use the funds to ramp up market development and expand their workforce,” she said.
“Through a highly competitive, independently assessed process they showed they have an innovative product, the talent and the right mindset to take their business to new levels and new markets.
“The Palaszczuk Government has now supported 271 Queensland businesses through $34.65 million (four rounds) of Ignite Ideas, driving more than one thousand new jobs.”
Innovatium’s principal Don Ingram has been designing and producing prototype printed circuit boards for 40 years.
Mr Ingram said the emergence of the new wave of interest in electronics was an excellent opportunity to supply an enabling product to Australian technologists.
“The availability of a cost effective rapid prototyping service to regional companies across Australia will be a catalyst to increased commercial opportunities and expanded employment,” he said.
“Our system will be the only service available to Australian designers and industries that are able to turnaround a request for a printed circuit board within 24 hours.
“For companies looking to make the next big thing in electronics, a quick turnaround is key to being able to quickly test their designs and proceed to their next stage.
“Not only does our system offer a cost-effective service to other clever Queensland creators, we are also planning to boost our company by four jobs as part of this project.”
Queensland’s Chief Entrepreneur Steve Baxter said the Ignite Ideas funding would help the 70 businesses take their next big step forward.
“Access to capital is one of the key challenges for early stage startups. The Ignite Ideas grants provide a source of funding that can take these businesses to the next level, helping them commercialise quickly.”
Ignite Ideas is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $650 million Advance Queensland initiative.
