Beyond the Buzz

Event Description

This is not another generic "free money" workshop. It’s a grounded, fact-based session for founders and CEOs who are ready to commercialise innovative products — and want the truth about what it takes to secure NSW Government funding.

Together, we’ll unpack the realities of the MVP Ventures Program, how the assessment criteria actually work, and what to consider before you start writing your application.

From understanding "Technology Readiness Levels" (TRL) to navigating matched funding requirements, you’ll hear directly from Funding Specialist, Lisa Erhart, about eligibility traps, project scope, and assessment priorities — so you can make informed decisions about your funding strategy.

Who this is for?

This session is designed for NSW-based founders who are:

• Developing an innovative product or process in the pre-market or early market phase.
• Curious about how the NSW Government defines "innovation" and "scalability."
• Leading companies in tech, engineering, science, or sustainable solutions.
• Ready to scale but need clarity on the 50% matched funding requirement.
• Not looking for a handout — just a strategic roadmap to non-dilutive capital.

What We’ll Explore Together

• The Eligibility Mechanics: Breaking down turnover limits and the "under 20 FTE" rule.
• Defining Innovation: Why your "new idea" might not meet the government's definition, and how to align it.
• Commercialisation viability: How to prove your pathway to market and financial sustainability.
• The Application Process: A step-by-step look at what forms, evidence, and pitch decks are actually required.

You’ll have the chance to ask questions and hear firsthand insights from successful grant writing perspectives.

What You’ll Walk Away With 

You’ll leave this session with:

• A factual overview of the MVP Ventures Program guidelines (Stream 1 vs. Stream 2, if applicable).

• Clarity on "eligible expenditure" — what you can and cannot spend the grant money on.

• Insights into common pitfalls that cause immediate rejection.

• A strategic understanding of how this grant fits into your broader capital stack.

• A network connection with Funding4Growth for follow-up support.

. 

Meet Your Host:
Lisa Erhart

Author of Advanced Grant Writing for Female Founders and Founder of Funding4Growth

Lisa began her funding journey with a single $10,000 grant—and went on to secure over $4.2 million. As an active assessor for government and private funding programs, she’s reviewed more than $50 million in application submissions and knows exactly what makes an application stand out—or fall short.

Driven by a mission to close the funding gap for diverse founders, Lisa is focused on improving both the quality and outcomes of applications seeking large scale grant funding.

Today, Lisa’s focus extends beyond funding readiness to innovation commercialisation, helping NSW businesses understand new markets, navigate incentive frameworks, and identify opportunities for growth across the state and beyond.

Newsletter Article

$75,000 for MVPs

For many women-led companies, early-stage capital is the hardest to secure. Programs like MVP Ventures help plug the funding gap.

To read the full article >> Click Here

Acknowledgment of the traditional owners of the country in which we will meet. 

In hosting this event, we are mindful that we do so on the ancestral lands of the First Nations People of Australia. In the spirit of appreciation, I pay my respects to the Gadigal peoples, as the Traditional Custodians of this land, and honour their enduring connections to the land, sea, and community.