According to Veterinarian entrepreneur & inventor, Dr. John Steinfort, innovation is something that comes naturally to him. So, when the NLIS (National Livestock Identification Scheme) requirements put livestock tagging under the microscope, he put his thinking cap on and came up with an idea that has now attracted a $64,000 Grant from AusIndustry in the Australian Government's Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources.
The COMET (Commercial Ready and Commercialising Emerging Technologies) Grant will enable Dr.
Steinfort and his partners in Duo Tags Pty. Ltd (the marketing arm of Impact Tags Pty. Ltd.), based in Mirboo North in South Gippsland, to fund further national and international market research, get support in strategic business planning and most importantly strengthen the protection of their intellectual property relating to their unique 2-stem ear tags.
“My goal as a Vet has always been to make animal production systems more effective, humane and productive. Extending this set of principles into developing user friendly, cost effective tagging systems made the difference to what might have been ‘just another tagging system.’ “Our participation in the Victorian Government’s Regional Business Investment Ready Program (RBIRP) delivered by Pyksis Victoria has fostered a level of professional development we could not have reached alone. Now because of that support we have attracted this COMET Grant and we are extremely happy.”
“It’s fantastic!” said Dr. Steinfort “this recognition will enable us to take another big step to bring our product to market.”
One of the aims of the Victorian Government’s Regional Business Investment Ready Program is to identify and support innovators to develop effective business plans that can take them through what Pyksis calls “The Commercialisation Swamp.” Pyksis Director, John Johnston says, “There are plenty of really competitive regional businesses with world-class innovations. Our role is to help the innovators commercialise these without stalling through lack of experience, shortage of expert advice, or difficulties in accessing early-stage financing. The Victorian Government’s program enabled us to put Impact Tags through our intensive program to obtain early funding that has enabled them to move forward. That solid base has now put them in a situation where the Federal Government has rewarded their work with a significant Grant. We couldn’t be happier.”
Mr. Johnston continued “We want to congratulate John Steinfort and the team at Impact Tags and to use their story to encourage others with innovations to come forward for support. In just one and a half years Pyksis has taken seventy regional companies through the Victorian Government funded commercialisation programs and many have had significant successes.”