An innovative Picton company that specialises in Wi-Fi chip development has been offered a $407,747 kickstart from the Australian Government.
Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said Morse Micro was one of 24 Australian businesses to benefit from $11.2 million in commercialisation grants offered under the Entrepreneurs’ Program, with each business matching the grant dollar-for-dollar.
These businesses have all developed innovative new products, processes and services but need financial support and expert advice to bring these bright ideas to market.
“Morse Micro has a fantastic story, much of which is still yet to be told,” Mr Taylor said.
“Founded in August 2016 by two Picton blokes, Andrew Terry and Michael De Nil, Morse Micro develops a new generation of low power and long range Wi-Fi HaLow chips for the Internet of Things [IoT].
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“These chips will consume more than 200 times less power than traditional Wi-Fi chips, have about 10 times longer range and cost five times as less.[/social_quote]
“This is revolutionary technology they are developing right here in Australia – in Picton – which will enable a whole range of new IoT devices.
“Think of wireless sensors for agriculture, real time location tracking for logistics or just long range reliable Wi-Fi for things around the home like smoke alarms, door locks and light bulbs.
“As Assistant Minister for Digital Transformation, I’m especially excited by this company’s work in Wi-Fi development, remembering of course that Wi-Fi was first invented by the CSIRO in Australia about 20 years ago.”
Mr De Nil said the $407,747 government grant would enable his company to commercialise its Wi-Fi chips and secure additional investment from venture capital firms.
“Morse Micro has offices in both Picton and Sydney and we plan to grow the team from six to 15 over the next 12 months,” he said.
“We believe we can play an influential role in the re-invention of Wi-Fi for the Internet of Things while also creating jobs and opportunities for Australians along the way.”
The Entrepreneurs Program’s Accelerating Commercialisation element offers support for entrepreneurs, researchers and businesses to address key challenges on the pathway to commercialisation.
To date, 234 Australian businesses have benefited from over $117.1 million in Australian Government funding, as well as support from experienced advisers, to help commercialise new products, processes and services.
For more information on how to apply for Entrepreneurs Program commercialisation grants go to business.gov.au/ep
Further information on the grants recipients can be found at business.gov.au/ac-grant-recipients.
• For more information on Morse Micro visit their website morsemicro.com.
