The Australian Government's Innovation Report

In 2005–06, $12.83 million was invested in 36 companies and projects (the Australian Government provided
$8.97 million). Of these ventures, 22 were new investments.
From the programme’s inception to 30 June 2006, investments totalling $25.88 million were made into 46 investee
companies and projects in the following sectors: agriculture (one), chemical engineering (one), horticulture
(one), Information Technology (five), communications (seven), life sciences (23), manufacturing (seven) and
medical devices (one). The Australian Government’s contribution was $18.06 million. At least seven products
have been taken to market and one company has been divested.
More information about the Pre-Seed Fund can be found at: www.ausindustry.gov.au
Starfish Pre-Seed Fund – Ceram Polymerik
A new generation of passive fire protection is being developed and commercialised by a Melbourne-based
early stage materials company Ceram Polymerik, a spin-out company from the Cooperative Research Centre
for Polymers.
Researchers at the Cooperative Research Centre developed a novel polymer ceramic composite that behaves
like a polymer under normal processing conditions but turns into a hard dense ceramic when exposed to
heat and fire. This technology has applications in the passive fire protection market.
Passive fire protection refers to products in buildings, structures or transport vehicles that enhance fire resistance.
The aim is to counteract the movement of heat and smoke between floors, rooms or compartments by
sealing penetrations, prolonging stability or creating barriers to the passage of fire, heat or smoke. Ceram Polymerik
is working on a range of polymer composites for use as fire barriers in passive fire protection applications.
With the help of the Starfish Pre-Seed Fund, which first invested in the company in September 2004, Ceram
Polymerik is working to complete manufacturing scale-up for its initial product formulations and to
engage with its two leading customers.
Ceram Polymerik Photo credits: DITR
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