The NSW Government has announced more than $1 million in funding for 22 startups and small businesses under the second round of the 2025-26 MVP Ventures Program, supporting projects across areas including advanced manufacturing, housing, clean energy and health as businesses work towards commercialising new technologies.
According to the NSW Government, the funding is intended to help startups and small businesses bridge the gap between research and commercialisation, with the aim of generating jobs, attracting investment and supporting economic growth across the state.
Among the successful recipients are advanced manufacturing company 14modular, which is developing modular housing solutions using lean manufacturing and industrialised construction, Aquacultr Group, which is advancing ultrasonic technology for aquaculture, EClass Outboards, which is developing an electric retrofit kit for petrol-powered jet skis, and DermR Health, which is progressing a skin cancer diagnostic technology.
Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said the projects reflected the breadth of innovation taking place across NSW.
“From housing and clean energy to advanced manufacturing and health technologies, NSW innovators are developing practical solutions to some of our biggest challenges,” Chanthivong said.
“The Minns Labor Government’s Innovation Blueprint is focused on turning that innovation into economic growth, new industries and high-skilled jobs, and the MVP Ventures Program plays an important role in that effort.”
He added that around half of the funding would support women-owned businesses, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses and founders in regional NSW.
“Around half of this funding is supporting women-owned businesses, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses and founders in regional NSW, helping ensure the benefits of innovation are shared right across the state,” he said.
Minister for Small Business Janelle Saffin said the program was designed to help businesses overcome one of the most difficult stages of growth.
“Small Businesses are the backbone of the NSW economy, but taking an innovative concept from the drawing board to the market is incredibly challenging in the current climate,” Saffin said.
“By bridging that critical funding gap, the Minns Labor Government is ensuring our home-grown talent has the support it needs to scale up, stay competitive, and create the highly skilled jobs of tomorrow right here in NSW.”
Among the manufacturing-focused recipients, 14modular founder and chief executive David Hartigan said the grant would support the company’s modular housing platform.
“We’re using lean manufacturing and industrialised construction to rethink how housing is delivered in Australia,” Hartigan said.
“The MVP Ventures grant will help 14modular accelerate the development of our modular housing platform and demonstrate how high-quality homes can be built faster, more efficiently and at a lower cost.”
Member for Kiama Katelin McInerney welcomed funding for EClass Outboards, saying it would help the business continue developing its electric jet ski retrofit technology and move closer to bringing “a NSW-made product to market.”
EClass Outboards founder Lynelle Johnson said the company was focused on reducing emissions from recreational and commercial marine vessels.
“The MVP Ventures grant will help us continue refining our electric jet ski conversion technology and move closer to bringing a viable zero-emissions alternative to market,” Johnson said.
The NSW Government said applications for the third round of the 2025–26 MVP Ventures Program are currently being assessed, with successful recipients expected to be announced later this year.
