This $50 million program aims to support the development of novel approaches, spanning therapeutics, diagnostics, assistive and medical devices and digital health technologies, that will prolong or improve the lives of the estimated 433,300 Australians currently living with Dementia and the 1.7 million caregivers who support them.

The CUREator+ Dementia and Cognitive Decline incubator program is a partnership between Brandon BioCatalyst, ANDHealth and Dementia Australia.
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Expressions of Interest for the CUREator+ Dementia and Cognitive Decline Incubator are now open to entrepreneurial researchers, clinical innovators, and founders across Australia.
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Companies that are pioneering innovative health technologies to enhance the lives of individuals affected by dementia and cognitive decline up can apply to receive up to $5 million per project in non-dilutive project funding.

The program delivers funding in tranches tied to mutually agreed-upon milestones and will leverage Australia’s globally recognised life sciences research and health technology strengths to enhance the commercialisation and translation of innovations that improve health and wellbeing.  

By aligning funding incentives and progress, CUREator+ aims to cultivate a thriving local ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship dedicated to tackling the escalating global issue of Dementia and Cognitive Decline.

Funding

CUREator+ provides non-dilutive grant funding to projects, up to $5 million per project over two funding stages (up to $2.5 million in each stage).

The funding supports commercially orientated projects, through tranched funding dispersed in each stage upon the successful completion of key pre-agreed project milestones.

Successful applicants will benefit from support of the CUREator+ team alongside the broader Brandon BioCatalyst and ANDHealth Teams. CUREator+ will provide successful applicants with hands-on support, as well as access to their global network of experts.

In addition, SMEs can expect to benefit from connections to potential industry partners, local and international venture capital firms and institutional investors. Through these networks, CUREator+ will assist projects and companies seeking follow-on funding. SMEs may apply for Brandon BioCatalyst for investment, and this is on an equity investment basis.

All applicants commence with an EOI.

Who can apply

Funding is available to support the development of technologies that lead to the early diagnosis, prevent severity of progression and/or management of the cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and motor symptoms of dementia and/or promote enabling environments to increase safety and quality of life of those living with dementia and cognitive decline.

Eligible projects must have commercial potential and will include the development of novel biomarkers, diagnostics, therapeutics (novel and repurposed), assistive devices and digital technology approaches and products at the preclinical, clinical and commercial development stages.

The projects should include milestones representing critical path activities towards achieving preclinical, clinical and/or commercial evidence to significantly improve the project's ability to commercialise, raise capital and/or execute on a market entry or growth strategy.

Eligibility Criteria: 

Eligible applicants must be either:

• An Australian small to medium size enterprise (SME) defined as an Australian based and registered for-profit company with less than 200 employees, or; 
• Researchers, not-for-profit organisations (NFPs), university TTO's/IP holding companies are eligible to apply but must incorporate as a for-profit entity in Australia prior to receiving funds. As part of the application process, applicants must acknowledge that the project will need to be incorporated as a for-profit Australian registered business prior to award to receiving funding.
• The company or research team owns or has an exclusive right to Intellectual Property (IP) rights relevant to the project proposal (exclusive rights to background intellectual property).
• Applicants must provide a letter of support from their Board (established company) or business development manager/tech transfer office (in the case you need to form a new company) that the project is supported and that you can complete the project and meet the costs of the project not covered by grant funding.
• Be willing to commercialise the project.
• Be willing to provide a duly executed Commitment Deed Poll with the Commonwealth on execution of the CUREator+ Dementia & Cognitive Decline grant.
• Be willing to adhere to the grant requirements regarding the Commonwealth's Commercialisation terms and conditions.
  • Details of the Commonwealth's Commitment Deed Poll and Commercialisation Terms will be shared with shortlisted applicants at the Full Application stage.

• Email: info@cureator.com.au