Subscription hair colour and artificial intelligence: Meet the businesses sharing $260,000 of innovation grants

Posted on 18 June, 2021

What do a subscription hair colour service and airport artificial intelligence have in common?

They’re two of the business ideas awarded a share of $260,000 as part of the Innovation Connect (ICON) Grant earlier this week.

Presented by the Canberra Innovation Network in partnership with the ACT Government, nine local businesses have been chosen to receive a combined funding of $262,400 to nurture their innovative business ideas.

“We’re supporting local innovation to create jobs and diversify the ACT’s economy,” says Chief Minister Andrew Barr.

“Seed funding from our ICON grants helps to support ideas through their early stages so they may attract private sector investment and interest later on.”

ICON’s purpose is to provide seed funding—between $10,000 and $30,000—to support the early stages of a business such as market testing, prototyping, patenting and commercial feasibility.

“I am always amazed at the breadth and diversity of innovative ideas that entrepreneurs in Canberra pursue,” says Petr Adamek, CEO, Canberra Innovation Network.

“From applications of quantum computing to health, every ICON round brings out new ideas and new entrepreneurial people who are passionate about changing the world for the better. It is so critical that we nurture this activity within our city and provide these innovators with the opportunities, connections and resources they need to succeed.”

The full list of ICON grant recipients for 2021:

• Auditum All – A streamlined audio description service and App for performance, theatre and film.
• Bushfire.io – A national view of bushfire warnings, fire incidents and critical information people need to protect themselves and their property.
• Freedom From Chronic Pain – Telehealth platform that enables people worldwide to go beyond managing their pain to actually recovering from most chronic pain conditions.
• IMS Artificial Intelligence (AI) / S365 by SafeSynergy – Technology that helps airport operators and other businesses who need strict safety compliance in their workplaces by reducing human error in monitoring and highlighting safety hazards.
• The Joyful Fashionista – A peer-to-peer shopping website for second-hand and sustainable clothing.
• Miiroko – A subscription home hair colour, where users can access hairdressers to help select and apply the colour.
• Nomad Atomics – Fibre based laser system to enable true portable quantum sensors.
• Performance & Specialist Electric Vehicles – High performance modular vehicle electrification for the most challenging applications demanding zero emissions.
• STMNA Bioactives – Software-as-a-service subscription that delivers a personalised, scientifically-proven bioactive compounds that improve health.

Think this could be perfect for your business? The next round of the Innovation Connect Grants will open Spring 2021. See cbrin.com.au/icon for more information.