Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin has helped spruik a $1 million NSW government funding round for startups and small businesses, though none of the money landed in her own patch this time.
Ms Saffin, who is also Minister for Small Business and Member for Lismore, joined Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong to announce the second round of the 2025-26 MVP Ventures Program, which handed a share of more than $1 million to 22 NSW startups and small businesses.
The program is designed to help innovators bridge the gap between a working prototype and commercial success, with this round backing projects in housing affordability, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and health technology.
Of the four recipients named in the announcement, Aquacultr Group is based in Port Stephens and EClass Outboards in Kiama. Neither they nor the other two named businesses, 14modular and DermR Health, are based on the North Coast.
Mr Chanthivong said the funding was intended to reach founders across the whole state.
“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,” Mr Chanthivong said.
Ms Saffin said the program existed to back home-grown talent.
“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,” Ms 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.
“Start ups are key to innovation and they inspire new products, services and so much more.”
Applications for round three of the 2025-26 MVP Ventures Program are currently being assessed, with recipients expected to be announced later this year, giving North Coast businesses another chance to secure funding.
More information is available at nsw.gov.au’s MVP Ventures Program page
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