Victorian agriculture and food sector businesses can now benefit from a new voucher scheme and virtual network to help grow their business.

The Victorian Government is investing $14.5 million in new funding to support businesses to become more productive, employ more people, improve market access and in general, increase their scale, diversity and profitability.

Businesses in the food value chain are a priority in this new initiative. From 29 January 2018 Victorian businesses in the agriculture and food sector can apply for one of four voucher streams, including the Food Innovation Vouchers.

The Food Innovation Vouchers aim to help businesses access the know-how needed to innovate, diversify, improve productivity and take new products to market.

Two types of vouchers are available:

1. Up to $10,000 for early stage feasibility and testing.

2. Up to $50,000 for process innovation, product development and research and development.

Vouchers can be used to access facilities, services, advice or expertise from approved service providers such as food and fibre research centres and relevant CSIRO, university and industry facilities. A list of approved service providers is available at www.business.vic.gov.au.

Businesses must be a small to medium enterprise in the agriculture and food value chain with an operating presence in Victoria to apply.

Voucher applicants will be automatically be registered as members of the Food Innovation Network, an online network linking industry with innovation services and capabilities in regional and metropolitan areas to drive innovation and problem-solving.

Round 1 applications opened 29 January 2018 and close on Friday 2 March 2018 – successful applicants notified by Friday 30 March 2018.

For more information call 136 186.  To join the Food Innovation Network visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/foodinnovation