Victoria's small to medium-sized businesses are being given a second chance to grow their companies online.
The Minister for Small Business, Marsha Thomson, has announced a new round of funding under the Bracks government's E-commerce Exhibition Projects Program (ECEPP), which is part of its
Victoria's E-commerce Advantage blueprint for increasing the uptake of e-commerce across the state.
"Up to $900,000 is up for grabs to help clusters of local companies develop innovative approaches to business-to-business e-commerce," she says.
"Successful applicants will each receive up to $50,000 to develop innovative and collaborative e-commerce projects. Funding will be available for up to 50% of the cost of an individual project."
Thomson recently announced $300,000 worth of grants for six businesses in the first round of program – all of which were either based in regional Victoria or had a regional component.
Applications for second-round funding are now being invited. High priority will be given to businesses from the building and construction, manufacturing, automotive, transport, food, legal, environmental management, export freight and warehouse management industries, as well projects with regional significance.
Applications close 14 December. ECEPP guidelines and further information are available at
www.mmv.vic.gov.au.