The CUREator+ Dementia and Cognitive Decline Incubator Program, a partnership between Brandon BioCatalyst, ANDHealth and Dementia Australia, has opened its second funding round.

Designed to support innovative solutions with the potential to improve the lives of Australians impacted by dementia, the program is seeking startups and companies focused on expanding treatment and wellbeing options for the 433,300 Australians living with dementia and the 1.7 million carers who support them.

Eligible biotech, medical device and digital health startups and companies can access up to $5 million per project in non-dilutive funding, which is delivered in tranches upon reaching agreed milestones.

The tranche-based funding model simultaneously equips innovators with access to commercialisation skills that prepare them for the discipline demanded by private investors, whilst providing them with the money they need to create the compelling data sets that crowd-in private investors.

Bronwyn Le Grice, ANDHealth CEO and Managing Director, said: “By tying public investment to key commercial milestones and connecting companies with the networks and guidance they need, CUREator+ empowers Australia’s most promising innovators to deliver therapies, devices and connected health solutions which can fundamentally change the lives of Australians living with dementia and cognitive decline.”

Funded by the Federal Government’s $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund MRFF, the program directly addresses two of the key barriers to commercialisation and growth for digital health companies in Australia by providing access to both capital and digital health expertise.

Professor Tanya Buchanan, Dementia Australia CEO said “We are pleased to see the second funding round of CUREator+ enhancing innovation to improve the lives of people living with dementia, their families and carers. We are honoured to support consultation with people with a living experience of dementia, ensuring their voices are heard.”

Dr Chris Nave, Brandon BioCatalyst Founder and CEO, adds: "In the fight against dementia, brilliant science alone won’t win the battle – it takes vision, funding, and relentless execution. The CUREator+ program exists to fast-track Australia’s world-class research into real-world solutions, because a day without progress is too many for the patients and caregivers impacted by dementia."

CUREator+ is designed to accelerate the translation of Australia’s cutting-edge research into real-world solutions by harnessing our home-grown deep science and technology resources and integrating lived experience insights via Dementia Australia’s involvement in the CUREator+ Investment Review Committee.

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Learn more about CUREator+ Dementia & Cognitive Decline