ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Beyond Cups Innovation Challenge provides a pathway for industry to pilot and test solutions that can significantly reduce our reliance on single-use plastics and disposables. 

The program focuses on exploring product-market fit between Queensland industry needs and innovative solutions. A cohort will be supported by mentors and experts in the development of go-to-market strategies and business growth.

Beyond Cups is an intensive program for businesses to accelerate their commercial readiness and industry partnerships.

You will have the opportunity to engage with stakeholders from across Queensland including government, universities, industry, and investors.

Applications are closed for the 2023 program.

THE CHALLENGE

Beyond Cups brings together the brightest and most daring minds from across Queensland to support Queensland’s ambitious plan to tackle single-use plastics. This program brings together innovators, industry and government to collaboratively push frontiers.  ​​

The program comprises three stages of support and concludes with an in-person showcase of the outcomes of the Beyond Cups Innovation Challenge.

Applicants will be assessed against eligibility and evaluation criteria and progress through the program stages competitively.

  • Shortlisted applicants are invited to our two-day bootcamp on 12 and 13 July. You will meet with the program team and partners and mingle with other incredible innovators. Through a series of workshops, you’ll gain a 360 degree view of your product and business and develop clear objectives.

  • Up to ten companies from bootcamp will be invited to participate in our six-week commercial readiness program. In this stage, you will be supported by the program team and a network of mentors to develop a strong business case for your innovations and fast-track your industry access. You will focus on landing a Proof-of-Concept contract supported by an industry partner.

  • Finally, up to five companies from the commercial readiness stage will receive grants of up to $100,000 to implement their proof-of-concept projects, working with an industry partner who will also contribute with the grant funding. You will receive an additional six weeks of support from a team of expert navigators who help you make the most of the opportunity.

ELIGIBILITY

To submit an application to the Beyond Cups Innovation Challenge and receive the program benefits, eligible applicants must, at the time of lodging their application:

  • be a startup, SME or social enterprise, have a current ABN and be headquartered in or have a business address in Queensland

  • be developing an innovative* product or service that can have significant impact** reducing plastics and single-use/disposables items, specifically coffee cups and lids, and similarly constructed containers (e.g. slushee cups and lids).

  • be committed to working with Queensland industry partners or customers (noting that the stage 3 PoC projects need to be delivered in Queensland)

  • seek outcomes aligned with the proposed five-year roadmap for action on single-use plastic items (link)

  • have achieved minimum viable product (MVP) with demonstrated customer interest or early validation

  • have commitment from the founding or executive team to participate in the program.

ASSESSMENT

Applicants must meet basic eligibility criteria and will be competitively assessed by the Program Manager and Assessment Panel against the following:

  • Problem and market

  • The solution: innovation and impact

  • Business model

  • Market readiness

  • Team

  • Program fit

Please see the FAQs below for short descriptions on each of these.

In your application you will be required to respond to corresponding questions. Please visit our application portal and register as a user to get access to the application form.

KEY DATES

16 May - 16 June
Application period

31 May
Information session - Register here

12 July - 13 July
Bootcamp, 2-day intensive (Brisbane)

24 Jul - 1 Sept
Commercial readiness program

9 Oct - 17 Nov
Proof-of-Concept program

29 Nov
Showcase event

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • No, the program is provided at no cost and with no equity taken.

  • Program benefits for participants include:

    • A tailored business support program

    • Accelerated market and industry access

    • Access to a growing network of industry experts and partners

    • World-class mentorship and expertise

    • Flexible participation (virtual and in-person)

    • Startup offers and perks

    • Valuable opportunities for growth, collaboration, and recognition

    • Access to a closed grant funding round to deliver proof-of-concept projects

    • Travel stipends for regionally based companies to attend the July bootcamp

  • A maximum of 20 companies will be invited to our bootcamp, and we will be selecting up to 10 companies to participate in the commercial readiness program.

    Commercial readiness participants qualify to submit their PoC projects through the closed grant funding round, and with an anticipated five projects participating in a partnered PoC.

  • No, the Challenge has been designed across three stages and all applicants must be available to attend the bootcamp. The PoC is a closed grant opportunity that is only available to commercial readiness program participants.

  • We use Award Force as our application portal. Simply follow these steps to apply:

    • Go to https://beyondcupschallenge.awardsplatform.com/ and log in or register with your email

    • Once logged in, go to My Entries and click the “Start Entry” button.

    • You will be able to see the application questions and save your application along the way.

    • You can also save a blank entry form in PDF format for reference.

  • By innovative product, we mean a product that is new, future-focused, scalable, commercially viable and competitive in the market. Please refer to the ATO’s Early Stage Innovation Company principles-based innovation test to find out more.

    You will need to demonstrate your potential impact through in-depth understanding of your target industry, the size of the problem, and feasibility of your solution. You will be asked to provide a model for impact through a high level and comparative life cycle analysis. Finally, we will prioritise solutions according to the waste hierarchy.

  • Problem and market

    The size and significance of the problem that your solution is addressing. You will be asked to quantify the need for the solution and associated market opportunity.

    The solution: innovation and impact

    The benefits of your solutions and its specific outcomes. You will be assessed on the innovativeness of your solution and asked to describe the potential impact you will have. In describing your potential impact, please pay particular attention to how your solution fits in the waste hierarchy and your life cycle analysis and assumptions.

    Business model

    A well-defined business model with demonstrated customer traction and appropriate pricing.

    Market readiness

    The product is ready for proof-of-concept engagement with industry partners. Companies that have an identified partner opportunity or commitment will be looked upon favourably.

    Team

    The application provides adequate resourcing towards the development and implementation of the product/service. The team has relevant experience, technical ability, or sector insights to fulfill a proof-of-concept engagement.

    Selected participants will need to commit to at least one founder, business owner, or product lead to engage throughout the 12 week program.

    Program fit

    The business and product/service provides benefits to Queensland industries, and the participant’s current needs and able to be supported through the program offering.

  • The program has been designed for companies that are actively working on bringing an innovative product or service to market, across three challenge areas:

    • Consumption and re-use

    • Game-changing materials

    • Closing the loop

    Organisations that primarily provide education, advocacy and awareness are not the intended participants, however if you are one of these organisations, we would love to understand how we can work with you.

    Please contact us here.

  • The challenge is designed to support early-stage innovative products that require a level of validation with regards to their technology and commercial model. The Proof-of-Concept projects aim to provide such validation and learning and therefore de-risk the further development of the products and businesses. As such, the program does not aim to support established products with further business development and sales. If you are unsure if your product fits, please get in touch.

  • Interstate companies are eligible to apply if they have a Queensland business address and a current Australian ABN. Applicants will need to demonstrate their commitment to working with Queensland customers and/or partners and PoC funding will only be offered to companies that submit a PoC project with a Queensland based industry partner.

  • No, the program is open to those who reside outside of Brisbane and regionally based companies are encouraged to apply.

    The majority of the program will be delivered virtually, however, all participants will need to travel to Brisbane to participate in Bootcamp. A travel stipend is available for companies based in regional Queensland.