Helping grow businesses through technology voucher programme

30 June 2011****

AgResearch helping grow businesses through technology voucher programme

Helping agritechnology-focussed businesses to use science is the aim of AgResearch’s recent involvement with the Ministry of Science and Innovation’s (MSI) Technology Transfer Voucher programme..

The issuing of vouchers, redeemable with one of 14 R&D partners in the programme, such as AgResearch, will encourage small and medium sized businesses to make effective use of external R&D expertise.

There is $5 million of funding available by way of vouchers for businesses investigating high value manufacturing and services such as agri-technologies, novel materials, manufacturing and applications, and health and medical technologies.

AgResearch has been partnering with a wide range of businesses over many years to develop new high-value products, says Technology Transfer Manager, Mark Treloar. “We know from our partners’ successes in areas such as dairy, meat, wool, personal care products such as skincare, grass, pharmaceuticals, animals, and farm systems that new technologies can help New Zealand businesses grow their revenue and profitability.

“This voucher programme will make it easier for more businesses who want to get ahead to tap into the innovative science and technology capabilities we have at AgResearch, especially for those businesses who we have not previously dealt with,” says Mark Treloar.

There are several criteria, including:the business must provide 50 per cent funding towards the R&D projects; the voucher can be applied to product and/or process design activities, trial production runs or processes and product testing;
the business must be based in New Zealand.

Voucher values can range from $30,000 to $1 million (excluding GST). Once awarded a voucher, a business has three months to find and engage a research organisation for its R&D project. Businesses may find that engaging with one of the R&D partners for the programme before they apply to MSI for a voucher helps design the project so that it is most cost and time effective and has the greatest chance of success.

To find out more, or to register your interest visit www.msi.govt.nz/voucher ends

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