Tech Talks #10 - Maximising Your Chances with the NSW MVP Ventures Program

Join us for an insightful session with Jonathan Chak, a seasoned entrepreneur and advisor, as we explore the opportunities and challenges of the NSW MVP Ventures Program 2024-2025. With successful businesses under his belt, Jonathan has raised capital, invested as an angel, and advised on major government grants across Australia. He brings a wealth of experience from both sides of the table, offering a unique perspective on the grant application process.

What You'll Learn:

• A Look Back: The Evolution of the MVP Ventures Program: Discover the history of the MVP Ventures Program and learn about the significant changes introduced in this latest iteration. Understand how these changes impact startup founders and what they mean for your application strategy.
• Avoiding Pitfalls: Common Mistakes Made by Founders: Gain insights into the frequent missteps entrepreneurs make when pursuing grant funding and learn how to steer clear of these costly errors. From misunderstandings about eligibility criteria to poor articulation on your commercialisation strategy, we'll cover it all.
• Boosting Your Success Rate: Uncover effective strategies to increase your chances of securing funding. Learn how to clearly articulate your innovation, build a compelling business case, and strategically use application requirements to highlight the strengths and unique aspects of your venture, aligning your business goals with the program's objectives.

About the Speaker:

Jonathan Chak is an influential figure in the NSW entrepreneurial ecosystem, known for pioneering online ventures at the onset of the Australian internet boom since the early 2000s and his unique insights into capital raising and government funding. Over the past six years, Jonathan has leveraged his entrepreneurial experience within government roles to deepen his understanding of how government funding can significantly impact startups. As a Senior Adviser at Jobs for NSW, he evaluated over 500 MVP Grant applications under previous program guidelines, gaining invaluable insights into the grant assessment process. In his role as a Commercialisation Facilitator for the Federal Government's Accelerating Commercialisation program, he reviewed more than 300 startup funding proposals and strategically selected 8 companies to present their investment cases to the program committee, successfully securing funding for all 8. With experience on both sides of the table, Jonathan has spent the last 12 months working intimately with select startups as an independent consultant on various grant programs, including the MVP Ventures, Boosting Female Founders Initiative, and Go-Green Co-Innovation Program, achieving a remarkable 100% success rate in securing funding for his clients to date.

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About Fishburners Tech Talks

As the Australian startup ecosystem evolves, a vital part of our mission at Fishburners is to give access to a broad range of resources and insights that support entrepreneurs in building commercially viable ventures. 

TechTalks aim to provide thoughtful, interactive panels and workshops delivered by industry experts, focused on filling capability and knowledge gaps to supercharge the founders and operators in our community. 

From demystifying tech, to capital raising, to team building, we've listened to founders share their biggest challenges and have sought out the best and brightest to share their insights.