Q: Can I talk to someone about the program and my application?
A: Yes. Once you have confirmed eligibility and attended an ANDHealth+ information session, you can book a 30-minute meeting with the ANDHealth+ team to discuss your application.
Do not contact any members of the ANDHealth team, Industry Selection Panel or International Investment Committee to discuss the program, selection process or your application.
Any attempts to discuss your application outside of Office Hours will be redirected to the meeting booking form.
Q: Who is on the selection panel?
A: ANDHealth primarily utilises the expertise of its multi-sectoral members, alongside its extensive international digital and connected health network, to ensure that all selection panels are comprised of C-Suite executives with proven expertise and demonstrable track records in commercialising digital and connected health products and services.
Q: What happens to the information I submit?
A: All information collected by ANDHealth programs is subject to the ANDHealth Data Collection Policy. Application specific information is treated as commercial in confidence. All members of selection and advisory panels and committees operate under direct confidentiality agreements with ANDHealth.
Q: What is the right stage for ANDHealth+? What is too early or too late?
A: Companies should have a working prototype, or ideally a product which is well progressed that has achieved proof of concept/proof of principle. Some customer traction or pilot activity should have been undertaken or in progress. Your company should have at least 1 FTE (with preference given to those with a full-time core team) and have the resources to complete the two-stage project plan (operational runway, time, resources, headcount).
Q: Who is the Industry Advisory Panel?
A: The Industry Advisory Panel for each cohort company will be different and tailored for each cohort company according to their specific needs. ANDHealth is rigorous in their selection of panel members to ensure they consist only of individuals with a proven track record in their specialised area contributing to the commercialisation of digital and connected health. All can demonstrate real-world experience in their area of expertise.
Q: Who is the International Investment Committee (IIC)?
A: The IIC comprises internationally recognised investors, clinicians, founders and executives from a diverse range of digital and connected health businesses. The IIC receive combined recommendations from the selection panel and ANDHealth team and provide expert advice and input into project plans and investment amounts at both stages of the program.
Q: Do you fund clinical trials?
A: The program will fund clinical and commercial studies where the endpoints articulated are considered to be highly relevant to the company’s successful commercialisation of its technology. Click here to learn more about the types of eligible projects activities that are expected be undertaken through ANDHealth+.
Q: When does my company receive the money?
A: Most, if not all funds, will be issued to third party providers to deliver services on your behalf. During Stage 1, the allocation of funds and the selection of providers will be done in consultation with your company, ANDHealth, and the Industry Advisory panel. In Stage 2, any allocation of funds will be subject to the approval of the IIC and ANDHealth Board. ANDHealth+ does not fund ‘business as usual’ expenditure and applicants must ensure they have sufficient runway and resources to fully participate in the program.
Q: What is the IP policy for ANDHealth+?
A: ANDHealth was founded on a core principle of ensuring SME intellectual property remains solely under the ownership and control of each participating company. ANDHealth and its members retain no legal rights, liens or rights of first refusal over any participating SME’s technology. Instead, we work closely with companies to both protect existing IP and create and protect new IP as a consequence of their participation in our programs. Companies accepted into ANDHealth+ execute an ANDHealth+ Participant Agreement. This agreement acknowledges that all SME background IP and Project IP flows to the participant company.
Q: Do you accept university and industry spin outs?
A: SMEs/spinouts from universities, research institutions and industry that meet the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply. Where such spin-outs still lean heavily upon the resources of the parent entity or major shareholder, similar to non-profit enterprises, such entities will need to clearly articulate how their participation in ANDHealth+ will be "ring-fenced" from parent company/ shareholder ‘business as usual’ activities and how impact of the program and any funded activities will be captured and reported.
Q: If at least one person is to be full-time, can funding be used towards a basic salary?
A: ANDHealth+ is a time-intensive program and is designed to fund high impact activities which accelerate the path to commercialisation, over funding ‘business as usual’ operational expenditure. The selection panel will be looking for companies that can support their day-to-day operations whilst the program is investing in high impact growth and commercialisation activities to accelerate growth.
Q: Can funding be used to cover the costs associated with IP protection, patent lodgement etc.?
A: If the IP strategy is part of your approved project activities, then some IP related costs can be covered. For example, in many cases, the program can get you access to IP advice from firms and IP professionals with experience in supporting digital and connected health technologies and companies. However, the program is not able to fund the direct cost of patent/registration fees and licences, which are deemed ineligible expenditures within the MRFF funding guidelines.
Q: We already have MRFF funding, can we still apply?
A: Yes, however you cannot ‘double dip’ on activities already funded under an MRFF grant agreement. All ANDHealth+ program activities will need to be clearly separated from activities funded under other MRFF funding streams.
Q: If we specify project activities in the application, can these change if we are successful in being selected (once we have advice)?
A: Yes. In our pilot program, this happened more often than it did not. After intensive reviews of application material and several meetings between you and your Industry Advisory Panel, you will likely receive feedback on project activities that the IAP believe will result in the highest impact for your business from the funds available to you. All project activities are jointly agreed upon and supported by you, your Industry Advisory Panel and the ANDHealth+ team – with a view to achieving the best outcomes for your company.
Q: Is the program suitable for SMEs located outside of Melbourne?
A: ANDHealth+ is a national program that is designed to be delivered virtually, Australia-wide. All Australian SMEs which meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply.
