Imagine being lost and unable to find the information you need. Now, picture that is happening in the middle of a natural disaster. To make matters worse, what if the critical information was only available in a language you don't understand? It’s a frightening thought, isn’t it? This is the reality many people face when disaster strikes, highlighting the urgent need for accessible information in multiple languages.

Clear and timely communication is the difference between life and death during natural disasters. This is where AI-powered translation services are revolutionising communication for emergency responders, ensuring that vital information reaches everyone, regardless of language. In this blog post, you will discover how AI translation technology makes emergency response more accessible and inclusive!

## The Global Challenge of Multilingual Emergency Alerts

[Emergency alerts](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212420923000699) are a lifeline in times of crisis. However, for non-native speakers or those unfamiliar with the official language of their region, these alerts may be confusing or even indecipherable. Effectively communicating with a multilingual population during a disaster is a significant challenge. The reason is that rapid and precise delivery of emergency warnings has been proven to reduce casualties, enhancing public safety and trust in the government.

Imagine a scenario where a station is broadcasting a flood warning, but a portion of the community speaks a different language. The delay in understanding instructions can result in delayed evacuations, increased injuries, and even fatalities. Real-world incidents, such as the [2017 California wildfires](https://information.auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2019-103.pdf), [Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005](https://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/stories/even-in-the-us-disaster-hits-the-most-vulnerable-the-hardest/), the [2013 tornadoes in Oklahoma](https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2013/07/14/oklahoma-storms-many-spanish-speaking-families-struggle-understand-storm-precautions-officials-say/60899944007/), and the 2020 [bushfires in Australia](https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/how-authorities-navigate-language-barriers-during-bushfire-coronavirus-emergencies/snxdpojyw), have all highlighted the dire need for emergency messages to reach people in their native language. These disasters show how language barriers can lead to tragic outcomes, underscoring the global importance of ensuring all communities, regardless of their language, receive critical, life-saving information.

The solution? Rapid and accurate real-time translation to ensure that no one is left out due to language differences.

## The Role of AI in Emergency Translations

AI has emerged as a powerful tool for tackling the language barrier in various situations, including disaster response. AI-driven translation services can swiftly translate text and even spoken words into multiple languages, allowing emergency personnel to disseminate life-saving information instantly.

One of the key benefits of AI-powered translation is its **speed**. During fast-moving disasters like hurricanes or earthquakes, every second counts. Traditional methods of translation, which require manual input and review, simply can’t keep up. Conversely, AI can generate near-instantaneous translations, making it possible to alert multilingual communities without delay.

Accuracy is another crucial aspect. Emergency alerts are often filled with technical terms or urgent instructions that must be conveyed precisely. Thanks to the advancement of natural language processing (NLP), AI can now understand and translate these complex terms while maintaining context and meaning.![Emergency Warning Translations Save Lives](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/6e2cf5375aa9c186c0690fe1d7bd2eae3770e96b1ff2d842865528904eed10b8.webp)

## How AI-Powered Translation Can Save Lives

AI-powered translation services have the potential to become life-saving tools during natural disasters. Consider a flood warning issued in real time to a community where multiple languages are spoken. With AI translation, people receive instructions on evacuation routes, safety protocols, and shelter locations in their native languages, ensuring everyone knows what to do.

In addition, AI helps make emergency communications more inclusive. Vulnerable populations–mainly immigrants, refugees, and tourists–are often left without clear guidance during disasters because they don’t speak the local language. Using AI, emergency services can bridge this gap, allowing the populations to access the same vital information as everyone else.

This is especially important for public safety agencies working in diverse regions where diversity is high. As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, AI-powered tools will become essential for ensuring that all communities receive the information they need to stay safe.

## The Future of AI in Emergency Management

The future of AI in emergency management is promising. Governments and emergency agencies are already exploring ways to integrate AI-powered translation services into their emergency response frameworks. The NSW Government, for instance, has begun harnessing the power of AI to provide more accessible and effective emergency services. AI could soon become a standard feature in emergency management protocols by automating the translation of critical messages and enabling real-time communication between responders and citizens.

However, like any technology, AI has its challenges. Dialects and cultural nuances can still trip up even the most advanced AI models. Developers are working tirelessly to overcome these hurdles by training AI on diverse datasets and incorporating human-in-the-loop systems to ensure translation accuracy.

That said, it's important to note that AI is not meant to replace human translators or emergency personnel. Instead, AI is a powerful tool that can alleviate the immense pressure on responders during a crisis. While AI can rapidly translate information and streamline communication, human oversight remains essential to ensure the context, tone, and specific nuances of emergency alerts are correctly conveyed.

Despite these challenges, the potential benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. The combination of speed, accuracy, and scalability makes AI an indispensable tool for emergency management, particularly in multilingual communities.![Emergency Warning Translations Save Lives](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/44debd47f6c638c2d560b09e0fed1ded708fe15d46af3c0b3cc9e5db17d14490.webp)

## VideoTranslatorAI’s Role in Revolutionising Emergency Communication

At VideoTranslatorAI, we are at the forefront of this revolution. Our AI-powered text translation service is designed to handle multilingual communication's complexities, including in emergency situations. Whether translating evacuation orders or disseminating safety information, our tool ensures that everyone–no matter their language–can access life-saving alerts.

Additionally, our multilingual videoconferencing tool, which offers real-time translation capabilities, allows emergency responders to communicate directly with non-native speakers. This tool facilitates two-way conversations during critical moments. Furthermore, this tool is intuitive and easy to use, resembling popular videoconferencing platforms but enhanced with real-time translations.

Currently, we are collaborating with the NSW Government to integrate our AI-powered translation with the Hazards Near Me app. This innovative project is part of the Natural Hazards Technology Program (NHTP), and we’re eager to make a real impact by advancing communication and accessibility in the emergency management sector!

Read the positive remarks from NSW Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Minister for Emergency Services, and Minister for Youth Justice, Jihad Dib, about our technology here: Recognition from the NSW Government: Minister Dib Highlights Our AI-Powered Translation Technology at AFAC24

To learn more about our journey with the NHTP project, click here: VideoTranslatorAI Honoured with Grant from the Natural Hazards Technology Program!

## Conclusion

As the world faces more frequent and severe natural disasters, the ability to communicate across languages becomes more critical. AI-powered translation tools are transforming how we respond to these crises, ensuring that vital information reaches everyone, regardless of language barriers. Governments, organisations, and emergency responders must adopt these technologies to ensure a more inclusive, efficient, and life-saving disaster response.

VideoTranslatorAI is proud to be part of this global effort, leveraging AI to save lives and build more resilient communities. The future of emergency management is here–and it speaks every language.If you have questions, [try our product now](https://agent.videotranslator.ai/chat).

More to come, so stay tuned!

Translating Emergency Alerts: How AI Can Save Lives During Natural Disaster

Discover how AI-powered translation transforms emergency management, making communication more efficient and saving more lives

We are thrilled to announce that VideoTranslatorAI has been selected as a recipient of a prestigious grant from the [Natural Hazard Technology Program (NHTP](https://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/rd-action-plan/natural-hazards-technology-program)), administered by the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE). This program aims to enhance community resilience and safety through innovative technology solutions, and we are honoured to contribute our expertise to this vital initiative.

![medium_image_76da2d20bc.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/83c02b62a4cbb1b2fc231bca1f890b7d320807b24d0b60c2d799017d11b728cb.png)

## What is the Natural Hazard Technology Program?
As part of our NHTP-funded project, VideoTranslatorAI, in collaboration with the University of Newcastle (UoN), is developing an AI-powered tool that will assist emergency service providers in translating critical warnings into the top seven non-English languages. This solution, known as EmergencyCALD, offers real-time translation in text translation to ensure effective communication during emergencies.

The NHTP project perfectly aligns with VideoTranslatorAI’s mission to leverage AI technology to overcome linguistic barriers and enable effective communications in a diverse environment. We believe our solution not only addresses the challenges faced by emergency service providers but also enhances public safety for everyone.

![medium_image_b5b24b1e0d.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/2798fce1e215d3675c65fafd429c451c0831915f4d69de99f0fe79c3f3b69c9b.png)

## Appreciation Remarks
As we look ahead, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported and collaborated with us on this incredible journey. A special thank you to the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE) for their continued trust and belief in our vision. We are also deeply grateful to our partners at the NSW Department of Customer Service (DCS), NSW State Emergency Service (SES), and NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) for their unwavering dedication and invaluable insights throughout this project. 

A big thank you to Scott Colefax, Kristen Mulligan, Caroline Residovic, and Jaclyn Aldenhoven from OCSE, as well as Lara Gray and Jane Childs from DCS, Kirra Waine and Peter Cinque from SES, and Simon Herring and Conor Deans from RFS. Your contributions have played a pivotal role in driving this initiative forward, and we’re excited to continue working together to bring innovative, multilingual emergency solutions to life.

## Conclusion
This grant represents a significant milestone for VideoTranslatorAI as we strive to make a meaningful impact on community safety and resilience. We are excited to embark on this journey with our esteemed partners from UoN, and we look forward to sharing our progress with you.

Stay tuned for updates on our multilingual emergency service platform as we work together to build a safer, more inclusive future for all residents of NSW. Together, we can overcome the challenges posed by natural hazards and ensure that everyone has access to information and support in times of crisis.

Thank you for your support!

VideoTranslatorAI Honoured with Grant from the Natural Hazards Technology Program!

Excited to share our collaboration with OCSE, DCS, SES, and RFS in developing innovative multilingual emergency solutions to enhance public safety for all.

Hey there, savvy readers\! If you've ever felt like you're swimming in a sea of paperwork, bureaucracy, and endless hoops while trying to snag those crucial government grants and tenders, well, you're not alone. 

The good news? There's a new dynamic trio in town that's out to change the game and make your life a whole lot easier. Meet VideoTranslatorAI, Dandelions, and Brand Comms Bureau \- the team behind the Grants and Tenders (G\&T) vodcast.

![Grant and Tenders - dandelions](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/c32470f87c559246fe4ae37c0eed2a196f8431fc8e6943d996314cb6c1715dc4.webp)

Picture this: You're an Australian company, passionate about innovation and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. You've got brilliant ideas, killer products, and services that could shake up industries, but there's just one tiny hiccup \- the funding struggle. It's like running an obstacle course blindfolded, barefoot, and uphill. Ouch, right?

![funding struggle for startup](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/7728bea98db56781143594c7f9e5b4f351c724badc172b9b507792b54ce934b7.webp)

Well, guess what? The G\&T squad heard your battle cries, and they're here to rescue you from the tangled web of confusion. So, what's the story behind this heroic trio, you ask? Let's dive in.

## **Riding the Waves of Innovation: VideoTranslatorAI, Dandelions, and Brand Comms Bureau**

Alright, let's introduce the stars of our show. First up, we have VideoTranslatorAI. Imagine a technology that could break down language barriers and open up a world of possibilities. Well, that's exactly what VideoTranslatorAI does. It's like having a super-smart language wizard on your team, ensuring that your proposals and documents are crystal clear and ready to impress. No more lost in translation mishaps or miscommunications. Talk about a game-changer\!

Next on the scene is Dandelions. These folks are all about nurturing growth and innovation. Just like how dandelions spread their seeds far and wide, Dandelions spreads the seeds of knowledge and collaboration. They're the ultimate matchmakers, connecting you with like-minded souls who share your passion for progress. If you're tired of banging your head against the wall alone, Dandelions is here to introduce you to your future partners-in-crime.

Last but not least, we've got [Brand Comms Bureau](https://bcbureau.com.au/). These folks are the wizards of communication, helping you tell your story in a way that's as captivating as a blockbuster movie. They take your ideas, your dreams, and your aspirations and weave them into a narrative that'll have everyone on the edge of their seats. With Brand Comms Bureau on your side, you'll never have to worry about your message getting lost in the noise again.

## **Grants and Tenders: Cutting Through the Chaos**

Now that we've met our heroes, let's talk about the heart of the matter \- the G\&T podcast/vodcast. 

Imagine a space where you can kick back, relax, and soak in all the juicy insights about Australia's $80 billion government grants and tenders playground. Sounds like a dream, right? 

Well, guess what? It's real, and it's here to save your sanity.

G\&T isn't your typical corporate mumbo-jumbo. Nope, it's your down-to-earth, tell-it-like-it-is friend who's got your back. They know the struggles, the frustrations, and the victories that come with navigating the world of grants and tenders. 

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newbie trying to find your footing, G\&T is the friend you never knew you needed.

## **Join the Revolution: Follow Us on YouTube and LinkedIn**

Are you ready to kiss those bureaucratic nightmares goodbye? Eager to dive headfirst into a world of opportunities you never even knew existed? 

Well, you're in luck\! The G\&T crew is just a click away. 

Make sure to follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn to stay in the loop, catch the latest episodes, and join the movement that's changing the grants and tenders game for good.

So, there you have it, folks. 

Until next time, keep dreaming big, keep innovating, and keep an eye out for the G\&T crew. 

Your funding journey is about to get a whole lot smoother, and you're not going to want to miss a single step of the adventure\!

Unlocking Opportunities: Collaboration that's Changing the Grants and Tenders Game

Learn how collaboration can simplify grants and tenders, reduce process friction, and help innovation teams compete.

Grants and Tenders Collaboration for Startups

In today's interconnected world, effective communication plays a critical role in emergency situations. However, language barriers often hinder efficient information exchange, potentially delaying response times and jeopardizing lives.

Recognizing this challenge, VideoTranslator AI, working with Mel Taylor and Kiwako Ito, has launched Project Trusted Lingo, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering emergency services professionals with the ability to translate emergency communications into 20+ languages. 

As a testament to its significance, VideoTranslator AI's poster submission has been accepted at the prestigious [AFAC conference](https://www.afacconference.com.au/the-conferences), where industry experts will gather to explore cutting-edge advancements in emergency services.

## Collaborative Expertise
At the heart of Project Trusted Lingo lies collaboration. VideoTranslator AI has partnered with [Mel Taylor](https://researchers.mq.edu.au/en/persons/mel-taylor-2), an esteemed emergency communications expert from Macquarie University. With her extensive experience and deep understanding of the challenges faced by emergency services communications professionals, Mel brings invaluable insights to the project. Additionally, the collaboration extends to [Kiwako Ito](https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/kiwako-ito), a linguistics professor from the University of Newcastle. Kiwako's expertise in language analysis and translation further enriches the project's capabilities.

## Empowering Emergency Services Professionals
Project Trusted Lingo aims to revolutionize emergency services communications by bridging the language gap and providing accurate real-time translation support. By leveraging advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, VideoTranslator AI is developing a user-friendly platform that emergency services professionals can rely on during critical operations.

The platform will enable instant, accurate translation of emergency communications, ensuring that vital information is conveyed in the native languages of individuals involved. Check out our poster submission!

![large_trusted_lingo_v6_fef74286b5.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/321e583d9d1dfdf29eb836966183c1f04ef886a7d87fa09186a24ccbd200962e.webp)

## Benefits and Impact
The implications of [Project Trusted Lingo](https://videotranslator.ai/blog/inclusive-and-effective-the-power-of-local-information-champions-in-emergency-services/) are far-reaching. By equipping emergency services professionals with the ability to communicate effectively in multiple languages, response times can be significantly reduced, leading to more efficient emergency management.

Timely and accurate translations will also improve the overall coordination between international agencies during joint operations, enhancing interoperability, collaboration and fostering a global approach to emergency services communications.

## The AFAC Conference
The acceptance of VideoTranslator AI's poster submission at the AFAC conference highlights the industry's recognition of the project's significance. The conference, known for bringing together experts and professionals from the emergency services sector, serves as an ideal platform to showcase this potential advancement in emergency communications capability.

Mel Taylor will be at the event to talk about the work to an audience of emergency services professionals, providing valuable insights into the project's development and its potential impact on the field.

## Reach Out And Collaborate
As Project Trusted Lingo continues to progress, the team remains committed to refining and enhancing the platform's capabilities. Feedback and insights gathered from emergency services professionals at the AFAC conference will be invaluable in shaping the future direction of the project.

By fostering ongoing collaborations and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, we aim to empower emergency services professionals worldwide with the tools they need to overcome language barriers and save lives. This means we are very keen to hear from professionals who are interested! Say hello to [Mel Taylor](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mel-taylor-01a4ba2a/) at the conference, reach out via email ([safety@videotranslator.ai](mailto:safety@videotranslator.ai)) or scan the QR code at the event!

## Conclusion
Project Trusted Lingo represents a significant leap forward in emergency services communications. With its ambitious goal of providing trusted real-time translation support in over 20 languages, VideoTranslator AI is poised to revolutionize the way emergency services professionals communicate and collaborate with CALD communities.

The acceptance of our poster submission at the AFAC conference not only validates the project's importance but also opens doors for further collaboration and industry recognition. Together, VideoTranslator AI, Mel Taylor, Kiwako Ito, and the global emergency services community are working towards a safer and more connected world.

Our Trusted Lingo Poster Was Accepted At AFAC '23!

Our poster on Project Trusted Lingo was accepted at the AFAC Conference. Learn more about our work and say hello to Mel Taylor at the event!

In times of crisis, effective communication plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals. However, when it comes to culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, language barriers can pose significant challenges during emergencies.

Recent examples, for example [read the full source](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-01/vic-emergency-app-only-in-english-investment-in-translation/12710414), and [read the full source](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-22/multicultural-community-victorian-flood-crisis/101550828), have profiled in the media about this challenge.

![Multicultural communities need to be part of victoria's flood emergency plans](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/1e70708367e20edb000cd90d3d146b903094bbff982fc38176d45499e307e16a.webp)
**Multicultural communities need to be part of Victoria's flood emergency plans, leaders say.**

To address this issue, the concept of local information champions has emerged as a powerful solution. 

![Calls to make bushfire warnings easier to access for Victorians who don't speak English at home..webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/3a9d29a1ac719f12d213a6d1dd4ab016d227253fb7adcd5a09ed2730bd63593b.webp)
**Calls to make bushfire warnings easier to access for Victorians who don't speak English at home.**

This blog post explores the role of local information champions and their contribution to bridging the communication gap in CALD emergency communications.

## **Understanding CALD Communities and Emergency Communication Challenges**

CALD communities encompass a rich tapestry of cultural and linguistic diversity. While this diversity brings strength, it also presents unique challenges during emergencies.

Language barriers and lack of accessible information can hinder effective communication between emergency services and CALD communities.

Consequently, vital instructions, warnings, and updates may not reach these communities in a timely and comprehensible manner, potentially jeopardizing their safety.

## **Introducing the Proposed Product: Trusted Lingo**

To overcome these challenges, project Trusted Lingo aims to provide translated versions of emergency communications specifically tailored for CALD communities.

By leveraging this product, emergency services can ensure that information is accurately translated into the languages spoken within these communities. This not only facilitates understanding but also enables CALD individuals to make informed decisions during critical moments.

Read more about Trusted Lingo [read the full source](https://videotranslator.ai/blog/trusted-lingo-a-new-approach-to-cald-communications/).

## **The Role of Local Information Champions**

At the heart of this solution are local information champions. These individuals are community leaders who possess in-depth knowledge of the CALD communities they represent.

They act as trusted intermediaries between emergency services and the communities they serve, bridging cultural and linguistic gaps. Local information champions bring a unique blend of cultural understanding, linguistic expertise, and community trust to facilitate effective communication.

Local information champions serve as advocates for their communities during emergencies. They are well-versed in the needs, values, and communication preferences of the CALD communities they represent.

By engaging local information champions, emergency services can tap into their expertise to ensure that emergency communications are culturally sensitive, linguistically accurate, and relevant to the target audience.

## **The Workflow and Interaction Process**

The workflow of this proposed solution involves direct interaction between emergency services and local information champions.

When emergency communications need to be communicated to CALD communities, emergency service providers can use Trusted Lingo to accurately translate the emergency communications into 20 languages in real time.

Then, local information champions can quickly disseminate the translated communications within the CALD communities through their established networks and communication channels \- primarily forwarding on the communications via social media groups / channels.

## **Benefits and Impact**

Implementing this proposed solution has several benefits and impacts.

Firstly, it saves precious time during emergencies by enabling swift translation into all major languages used in NSW. This timeliness can prevent confusion, reduce risks, and save lives.

Secondly, the involvement of local information champions enhances the dissemination of translations. This ensures that emergency communications resonate with CALD communities, fostering trust and engagement.

Moreover, by recognizing and empowering local information champions, this solution promotes community resilience. It acknowledges the expertise and leadership within CALD communities and strengthens their capacity to respond effectively during crises.

Through this collaborative approach, emergency services and CALD communities build a strong partnership that fosters mutual understanding, respect, and improved emergency communication.

## **Conclusion**

In a diverse society, effective emergency communication must reach every individual, regardless of cultural or linguistic background. Local information champions play a pivotal role in bridging the communication gap between emergency services and CALD communities.

By recognising their expertise and involving them in the process, translated emergency communications can be accurately and swiftly disseminated, ensuring the safety and well-being of CALD individuals during crises.

Inclusive and Effective: The Power of Local Information Champions in Emergency Services

See how local information champions help CALD communities receive translated emergency messages during crisis response.

Local Information Champions in Emergency Services

In the pursuit of turning adversity into opportunity, our recent experience with the [Bushfire Commercialisation Fund](https://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/rdnsw/bushfire-response-rd-mission/bushfire-commercialisation-fund), administered by the New South Wales (NSW) government, has been a testament to resilience and the power of positive feedback.

Despite an unsuccessful outcome, our competitive application and the valuable feedback received have instilled hope and renewed determination within our team.

We'd like to sincerely thank [NSSN](https://www.nssn.org.au/), [Macquarie University](https://www.mq.edu.au/) and the [University of Newcastle](https://www.newcastle.edu.au/) for their time, patience and being super supportive of our efforts!

## The Promise of the Bushfire Commercialisation Fund
![large_bcf_1_4fad91328e.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/fb8e8a842e1f331c2dd104e55f0892eb635ab0129ec100eb51cc17e4b1ecf807.webp)

The Bushfire Commercialisation Fund was established by the NSW government with the aim of supporting innovative projects and initiatives that could contribute to bushfire recovery and mitigation efforts. Recognizing the potential of this funding opportunity, we enthusiastically embarked on the application process, eager to make a difference.

## The Competitive Application
<iframe width="864" height="486" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j1ldMkzZFXA" title="Project Trusted Lingo Proposal" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Our team invested significant time, effort, and expertise in crafting a compelling application. We meticulously outlined our innovative solution, which aimed to enhance bushfire detection and response mechanisms, mitigate risks, and protect communities in vulnerable areas.

We presented a comprehensive business plan, showcasing the viability and long-term sustainability of our project. Our application truly reflected our passion and commitment to addressing the challenges posed by bushfires.

## The Power of Positive Feedback
Although we did not secure the grant, the feedback we received from the Bushfire Commercialisation Fund was highly encouraging.

It highlighted the strengths of our application, acknowledging the depth of our research, the robustness of our proposed solution, and the potential impact it could have in mitigating bushfire risks.

Such positive feedback reaffirmed our belief in the value and relevance of our project, providing a much-needed boost to our team's morale.

Also, we'd like to give a big shout out to the [Bushfire Response R&D Mission at Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer](https://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/rdnsw/bushfire-response-rd-mission). The managers there were really helpful and took the time to jump on a videoconference and walk us through the committee feedback.

For anyone reading this, always ask for feedback! 

## Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
In every setback lies an opportunity for growth. Our experience with the Bushfire Commercialisation Fund taught us valuable lessons that will shape our future endeavours. Firstly, it reinforced the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. We recognized that setbacks are an inherent part of the innovation process and should not deter us from pursuing our goals.

Secondly, the feedback we received served as a valuable roadmap for further refinement and improvement. We carefully analysed the suggestions provided and identified areas where we could enhance our application, strengthen our project's impact, and align more closely with the grant's objectives. 

The point is not necessarily that the feedback is a reflection of our strengths and weaknesses. It may be that, but in our case, we found it to be a mix of gaps in our capability, and gaps in the submission where we did not demonstrate our capabilities in the best way possible. 

This feedback will undoubtedly contribute to our ongoing efforts to secure alternative sources of funding and partnerships.

## Conclusion
Our journey with the Bushfire Commercialisation Fund may not have resulted in a successful grant, but it was a significant milestone in our pursuit of making a positive impact.

The feedback received has further fuelled our determination to refine our project, seek additional funding avenues, and continue working towards enhancing bushfire detection and response capabilities.

Through resilience, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of our vision, we are confident that we can contribute to the ongoing efforts in bushfire recovery and mitigation.

We very much still think our product has much to offer the resilience community and are committed to making it work!


Embracing Resilience: Our Journey With the Forest Fire Commercialization Fund

Our journey with the Bushfire Commercialisation Fund, the power of positive feedback, and our next steps. #bushfiremitigation #resilience

Embracing Resilience: Our Journey with the Bushfire Commercialisation Fund

The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) is the Australian Government’s international trade promotion and investment attraction agency.

Austrade’s Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program helps Australian businesses grow their exports in international markets, primarily via [Free Trade Agreements](https://www.austrade.gov.au/australian/export/free-trade-agreements).

Recently, Round 2 of the EMDG program closed, and with it, we have the chance to look at some of the statistics Austrade published, about who is exporting and where to \- which we at VideoTranslator are super interested in\!

Why are we interested? Because many of our prospects/clients use this program to fund their outreach into markets across APAC\!

## **EMDG 2021 (Round 1\) \- Statistics**

For context, the [basic statistics for Round 1 of the EMDG](https://www.austrade.gov.au/australian/export/export-market-development-grants/research-and-reporting/round-1-key-statistics/emdg-round-1-key-statistics) scheme were as follows:

* 5,384 applications were submitted  
* Applications by State/territory are:  
  * 66 in the ACT (1.2%)  
  * 2,154 in NSW (40%)  
  * 8 in the NT (0.1%)  
  * 875 in Qld (16.3%)  
  * 310 in SA (5.8%)  
  * 41 in Tas (0.8%)  
  * 1,505 in Vic (28.0%)  
  * 425 in WA (7.8%)

More importantly, when we look at the same numbers by category, we get the below.

![EMDG Round 1_ Product Category](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/954b628f8487bbe95b606dfdc10fc7b7082a032395f2c62039ef0588ab3b7c1c.webp)

The source data used is below \- and what is interesting is (a) services, and especially value-added services exports make up about the same as goods exports, and (b) tourism exports are very low.

![EMDG Round 1_Applications by product category](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/74b0e0a3dab4e66270ee3c1eb1ff6fb819110fe13b2b90dedc8b69ed8da952b0.webp)

The first stat makes sense, but the second is a bit puzzling and we don’t fully understand why this would be the case.

## **EMDG 2021 (Round 1\) \- Top Markets**

The top 10 markets for EMDG 2021  
 
![EMDG Round 1_Top Market.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/286e3f19c526add28292ef88e3cca79120662a4ba63d2afca2371036deade357.webp)

That is a pretty interesting graph. The way to read this graph is that exporters tend to export to more than one market, **so it doubles up**.

As in 46.7% of exporters were looking to export to the USA, so the point of the pie chart is to show that the majority of exports are going to the Anglosphere \- not that \~27% is going to the USA.

What does this graph tell us?

* Firstly, since the USA is such a big market, maybe invest in Spanish as your second language.  
* Secondly, if you export to both France and Canada, maybe French would work for you as well.  
* Third, Singapore, China and HK \- the slice next to India where the label has mysteriously disappeared \- all have sizeable Chinese-speaking populations, so maybe content creation in Chinese is a good plan.  
* Lastly, you are probably better off focusing on German, as opposed to Hindi \- because India has many languages \- so the per language ROI is probably lesser in India.

## **EMDG 2022 (Round 2\)**

The second round just finished, so there is still limited data.

![EMDG Round 2_Applications by product category.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/3cda8deff5cf7fd1d0547452f9909d8241797dbbbecc97e063ba897ea31af46a.webp)

Some observations:

* Tourism has doubled, which makes sense \- it may have been depressed as a lingering after-effect of Covid 19\.  
* Services generally have increased, which makes sense as Covid related disruptions come to an end.

Outside of that, we are waiting on more information to become available.

## **Summary**

First off, shout out to AusTrade for taking the time to put these statistics together. Any errors or misunderstanding regarding what the data means is wholly on our side.

We did not reach out to AusTrade, this blog post is simply commentary, and should only be relied on to the extent that it gives an indication of what we think is happening.

Also \- so some of the recommendations are tongue in cheek because this will vary hugely depending on exactly what you are selling.

But…

If you already have the infrastructure in place to sell to a specific country, adding content creation via video translation is probably a decent strategy to get you additional ROI on both existing and new content spending.

Reach out if we can help\!

What Is EMDG Telling Us About Australian Exporters?

Austrade’s Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program helps Australian businesses grow exports. Find out what the stats from this program mean! 

### **Background**

During an emergency, multicultural families in Australia can be badly affected.

For example, during the recent flooding, a Syrian family in Victoria felt like they were forgotten.

“[Mohammad Tajer, the father, decided to call triple 0 and state emergency services to request an evacuation, but could not understand the person on the other end of the line because he does not speak English fluently.](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-22/multicultural-community-victorian-flood-crisis/101550828)”

In fact, it wasn’t the first time that the issue arose. After the 2019-20 bushfires occurred, there is a [call for the Victorian Government to make bushfire information more accessible to non-English speakers in time for the summer fire season](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-01/vic-emergency-app-only-in-english-investment-in-translation/12710414).

“Recorded video and audio translations of emergency information by a community leader or interpreter worked best for my community because ours was primarily a spoken language,” said Amina Khatun.

Aside from emergency broadcasts, volunteers also find difficulties in understanding what people at the flood relief center need.

These are just *some* examples of communication issues during an emergency.

### **The Challenge**

Australia has 7 million people who self-identified as speaking a language other than English at home. Of these, about 750,000 speak no or little English, and as many as about 2 million have average language skills.

But does this mean that they cannot understand simple instructions? We all know immigrants who speak good English, is this a real problem?

The final report from the 2020 Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements said, ‘All governments need to continue working together to ensure that the system … uses the best available technology to improve the communication of warnings across Australia, including to … people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.’

Additional research from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre on building inclusive partnerships with CALD communities also called attention to, (a) concepts that might not be understood, such as ‘bushfire survival plan’, (b) framing issues and solutions in a culturally appropriate way, and © differences between spoken and written languages.

In effect, we think somewhere between 5%-15% of the population may find themselves in a sticky situation during a natural hazard because they could not understand instructions under duress during a natural hazard scenario – **this is a big problem.**

So, how can we quickly translate emergency broadcasts for multicultural communities so they can access the appropriate information?

### **Our Solution**

The solution is a custom Artificial Intelligence solution, which will in real-time translate audio, video, and text emergency broadcasts into 20+ languages.![VideoTranslatorAI Multilingual Service.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/84377415993c1aa990a556abdbb34b71d4c672a2984a506e49e82d160a698742.webp)

### **How Real-Time Video Translation Works**

First, you will have to create the original audio, video or text emergency broadcast. In this case, it’s in English.

Let’s take a look at the example below. This video is originally made in English.

<iframe width="1236" height="731" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w1vx2P96MQw" title="Scandinavian Flags By Flag Monkey" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Next, the media will be translated into the target languages. Yes, including the audio\!

The video sample you watched earlier is translated into Swedish\!

<iframe width="1200" height="731" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1FvK1LzLp74" title="Scandinavian Flags by Flag Monkey (Swedish)" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

And that’s it\! Now it can be shared with various communities.

### **Summary**

The purpose is to ensure that these multicultural communities have access to the same information as English-speaking communities.

Have a question or need a custom AI task?

If you have questions, [try our product now](https://agent.videotranslator.ai/chat).

### **References**

1. ABS Census of Population and Housing, Cultural diversity data summary, 2021 – Table 5
2. ABS Census of Population and Housing, Cultural diversity data summary, 2021 – Table 6
3. Royal Commission Report \- [The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements Report | Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements](https://naturaldisaster.royalcommission.gov.au/publications/royal-commission-national-natural-disaster-arrangements-report)
4. Bushfire & Natural Hazards CRC, 2021 \- [building\_inclusive\_partnerships\_with\_cald\_communities\_2021\_0.pdf (bnhcrc.com.au)](https://www.bnhcrc.com.au/sites/default/files/managed/downloads/building_inclusive_partnerships_with_cald_communities_2021_0.pdf), Page 10

How VideoTranslatorAI Helps Multicultural Communities In Emergencies

VideoTranslatorAI helps multicultural communities by translating audio, video, and text emergency broadcasts into 120+ languages.

Here at VideoTranslator, we have been busy. Busy doing what?

Well, between hustling, building our product, setting up processes, and building a business the hard way \- we had an excellent idea.

Why don’t we speak to some people who have done the whole innovation to commercialization thing properly? Ideally, these folks have done it before too, and maybe even have a track record in turning innovation into commercial outcomes.

😃

Of course, we are talking (tongue in cheek) about the good people at [CSIRO](https://www.csiro.au/en/about/We-are-CSIRO).

For our overseas visitors, CSIRO is the apex scientific research organisation in Australia. It has been working in various iterations since 1916, with the modern incarnation of CSIRO being set up in 1949\.

So they have been doing this for a while. Maybe we can learn something from them?

![learnings from CSIRO Innovate To Grow Program](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/ad5035f233e948ceb096bb2f94a88f4e108b36d744a8b9c174fdfc9aab14b9a1.webp)

This blog post is a very brief look at the program, and what VideoTranslator got out of it.

A couple of disclaimers:

* This was our experience, and might not be yours.  
* The program changes, and we were in the Defence stream, which you may or may not be in.  
* Talk to the folks at Innovate To Grow, this blog post is not meant to replace anything they say. It’s just a reflection of our experience (see top bullet\!)

Was Innovate To Grow worth the time/energy/resources we put into it?

Yes.

Ok \- the fine print, this program is well worth the time \- we found it useful, but… doing some pre-work will greatly increase the good stuff you can get out of the program.

Here are some of the things we would have done differently, to get the most out of the program, if we were to do it again.

## **CSIRO Innovate To Grow**

From [the website](https://www.csiro.au/en/work-with-us/funding-programs/SME/Innovate-to-Grow), ‘Innovate to Grow is a free 10-week program coordinated by CSIRO for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who want to progress their R\&D opportunities, or are in the early decision-making stages about engaging in R\&D.’

This is very accurate. It’s what they are trying to actually make happen.

We went into the program via a somewhat circuitous route. Over conversations with other startups, we ended up talking to the folks at [Capability Acquisition & Sustainment Group | About | Defence](https://www.defence.gov.au/about/capability-acquisition-sustainment-group).

As we are not a defence contractor, this was all new to us at VideoTranslator. The folks at CASG \- who probably realized working with Defence was new to us, (gently) suggested maybe we want to look into the Innovate To Grow program.

So we signed up, got accepted, and on the basis of a pretty good experience, decided to write a blog post about it\!

![Upcoming course - CSIRO innnovate to grow 2022](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/d404949637f8ea325d5a715c755d96b22e93ca93dbb43a0b9be318c2b923b4d7.webp)

## **How CSIRO’s Innovate To Grow Is Setup**

This is basically an online delivered course. With the tools the team at [Practera](https://practera.com/) provide, this works really quite well.

What CSIRO is trying to do here:

* refine your innovation challenge question  
* assess the viability of your innovation  
* build your business case  
* prepare a strong funding application

So the way to think about this is like so.

You want to have an end product in mind when you go into this program. It was not totally obvious to us, probably because we stumbled on the program in a somewhat circuitous manner.

Luckily, we had something in mind when we did apply, so it was not too bad.

However, go in with a clear idea of the final product you want to develop, and do work in that regard. So clearly:

* It’s a new product or an improvement on what you are already doing. With VideoTranslator we were looking at a different way to use our proprietary tech offering.  
* Have a gap in mind. We fell down a little here because we had not done enough work on what we were thinking about. *You should do more here.*  
* With the gap in your product roadmap, this is what the Innovate to Grow Program will address primarily.  
* How to address the gap \- **the academic resources that CSIRO and other universities bring together** \- accessing this is the value add where Innovate To Grow excels.

## **How CSIRO’s Innovate To Grow Works?**

The program is not too heavy, but like anything else, you get what you put into it.

**The big plus for us was the team of experts they have put together across the entire commercialization lifecycle.**

Again, the course itself is pretty good, and you do learn quite a bit, but the experts are where it is at.

### **Create an innovation challenge and collaborators**

This forces you to think about the gap in your product roadmap \- and turn it into a research question.

Why would you do this?

Because thinking the product gap in terms of an innovation challenge is very helpful to finding, engaging and getting delivery of a solution, from the correct grouping inside academia.

So (speaking as an industry) the product gap is the thing that is missing from our point of view.

From an academic’s point of view, the question is, (a) can I help fix it, (b) who is paying and how much in case we need additional resources, and © what happens to the IP?

The way it works for academia is to take industry engagements, they need funding to cover their costs and those of any associates they require \- think grad students / PhD candidates etc.

On top of this, they have to ensure the university gets a top-up. The point of this is to pay for the consolidated resources of the university \- labs, offices, research institutes etc. This makes sense as soon as you think about it, but it was new to us.

This might be totally obvious to you but wanted to put this out there because it was not obvious to us at the beginning.

### **Build A Business Impact Case**

This section was pretty useful.

In essence, it is a normal DCF (Discounted Cash Flow) model you will be working with.

There are a number of changes specifically put in to illustrate how universities allocate resources.

Once you see it, it makes much more sense. The other major advantage here is that the models get improved over time, so ours included things like the R\&D grant component \- which is only relevant to Australian startups.

That being said, the fact we had not fully fleshed out our proposal came back to bite us a little bit here. If we had done more pre-work, we would probably have found this much more useful, including the bits about risk management.

Things you care about here:

* Refining the innovation statement, i.e. your research question.  
* Work out better who you will talk to in terms of early customers.  
* Scope out the research question, including removing bits that are not relevant.  
* Look at what the action items (approach) and key deliverables could be for the project.  
* Look at the time involved.

All of the above come together in the cash flow model, and the parts about how to include academic resources are very useful here.

You’ll also calculate costs, benefits, ROI, and payback timeframes here. If you have any finance skills, this is pretty straightforward \- instead of modelling debt or equity, you model cash flow from grants and in-kind donations \- easy peasy.

### **Build A Funding Strategy**

Again, it would have been super helpful if our project was more fleshed out prior to this phase of Innovate To Grow.

In fairness, [we have won the MVP grant](https://videotranslator.ai/blog/winning-how-we-won-a-jobsfornsw-mvp-grant/) and [helped a client win the inaugural SBIR](https://www.dandelions.cloud/news/dandelions-has-won-the-sbir-grant-for-1-1m) program, so the feeling was we would be fine.

Yeah…

Clearly, we should have done more here. But anyways, the skinny is this:

* Work out where you are going to fund the project from\!  
* See the above bullet. No \- really.

Ok \- it was not that bad. But the logical point from building a timeline and costing it out \- the high-impact business case \- is how do you then fund the project.

Because we have some experience with working with academia, we should be fine, but if you don’t \- well worth doing some more work on this front.

## **Summary**

If you have not worked with academia before, or have not worked with a range of academic resources before, you should probably put in for this course.

If you do:

* The team is super supportive. Shout out to Prof Tony Watson and Adrian Supetran for looking after us\! We got extensions and feedback, and they did not give us too much grief when assignments were submitted late 😃 many thanks\!  
* The experts are where it is at. Sure, sometimes questions which we don’t care much about are boring, but you pick up lots of things. For instance, the R\&D team at the ATO made an appearance, and it was very useful to hear from them about a program we have benefited from, but from the inside.  
* Do the work. Yes \- it is work, and there are homework assignments. Don’t worry too much about the quality, the best effort is fine and the team is helpful\!

All things being equal, despite having some experience with the content, we would totally recommend you do the course if you are on your own startup journey\!

And say hi to Tony and Adrian from Team VideoTranslator if you see them\!



We Just Completed CSIRO's Innovate To Grow Program

VideoTranslator just completed participation in the CSIRO Innovate To Grow Program.

A recent interview with [FireTech Connect](https://firetechconnect.com/) was really good fun, with [Leigh Kelson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighkelson/) hosting a free-wheeling discussion about crisis, technology and the future of AI in the internationalization and localization space.

## **FireTech Connect**

The [FireTech 2020 program](https://firetechconnect.com/about/) is an initiative of the Peregian Digital Hub, a leading technology incubator based in Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

FireTech Connect is funded by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources through the AusIndustry Entrepreneurs’ Programme; The Queensland State Government’s Advance Queensland Program; and Noosa Shire Council.

[Leigh Kelson](https://firetechconnect.com/mentors/) is the Program Director of FireTech \- he is a technology entrepreneur, cloud computing pioneer, and media tech veteran. He has founded ten ventures over the last 30 years and had a number of successful exits. Over his career, he’s been a CEO of publicly listed companies, involved in raising more than $100 million in funding and completed two successful IPO’s on the Australian stock exchange.

Leigh is also an all-round good guy, and we are big fans of the work FireTech Connect is doing\!

## **Conversation**
<iframe width="1236" height="695" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FFg1Pqv7FII" title="In conversation with Tathagat Banerjee Founder and CEO Videotranslator.ai" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

### **Highlights**

* coping with crisis, a end user experience of the the Covid-19 crisis [0:41](https://youtu.be/FFg1Pqv7FII?t=41);
* working in finance and hedge funds [3:41](https://youtu.be/FFg1Pqv7FII?t=224);
* how AI video translation tech can be applied to public fire / emergency communications to help the community understand vital information [8:28](https://youtu.be/FFg1Pqv7FII?t=508);
* a basic intro to AI / Machine Learning, Big Data, and Big Compute [18:55](https://youtu.be/FFg1Pqv7FII?t=1135);
* and talks about what’s next for [Videotranslator.ai](http://videotranslator.ai/) [29:27](https://youtu.be/FFg1Pqv7FII?t=1767);

## **Conclusion**

We hope you enjoyed the conversation, and stay tuned for more content\!

Please connect with us on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/videotranslator/), [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGrwmRcZiFkyq8-xAwn77Yg/) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/videotranslatorai/) for any comments, questions, or just to keep up to date with the work we do\!

If you are interested in trying out our technology, [book a demo](https://videotranslator.To explore this with our team, [try our product now](https://agent.videotranslator.ai/chat).


Video Translation And Its Implications For FireTech

Talking to FireTech's Leigh Kelson, we cover the origins of the video translator app, and what video translation can do for clients. We also cover the role of AI and ML in the language space.

DISCLAIMER: This blog post was updated after having a conversation with JobsForNSW. [3 Dec 2019]
**
Please check the JobsForNSW website for updates. The process covered below changes regularly and DO NOT rely on the below to be correct going forward. It was correct at time of publication, but talking to the JobsForNSW staff it is LIKELY to change pretty soon.**

Earlier this year we put in an application for a Minimum Viable Product Grant from JobsForNSW, a [NSW Government initiative](https://www.nsw.gov.au/).

In this blog post we are going to look at the entire process and work through our successful application. Specifically:

What is the MVP grant and where do you get more information?
What the grant process looks like and what information we had to provide to get the grant.
What the grant process was like, step by step, at a procedural level.

The point of this post is to provide information to anyone else within the Sydney/NSW startup ecosystem who is also looking into this grant and potentially applying.

Will probably do another post of the content of (a) the videotranslator.ai grant application itself, and (b) the progress report at the end.

We are also hoping to have a follow up post where we talk to one of the officers inside JobsForNSW to get a insider view into how the process works.

## What Is The JobsForNSW MVP (Minimum Viable Product) Grant?
From the JobsForNSW website, Minimum Viable Product (MVP) grants are designed to support promising startups with the funds needed to progress from a proof of concept stage to a minimum viable product. The grants are aimed at startups that are yet to generate revenue to help them engage with a potential business customer, or channel to market, and create innovative solutions that address compelling industry needs or market gaps.

## How Much Money Can I Get From The JobsForNSW MVP Grant?
From the JobsForNSW website, An MVP grant is a matched funding grant up to 50% of approved project costs, to a maximum of $25,000.

Remember: You do not have to ask for the full $25,000.

In the specific case of videotranslator.ai we had a total project cost of $41,400.00. The idea is JobsForNSW is funding 50% of approved project costs, to a maximum of $25,000. Hence the amount we ended up getting for our project was $41,400 * 0.5 = $20,700.

## Assuming We Get The Grant - What Is The Timeline For The Application Process?
From the JobsForNSW website, Successful grant applicants will receive 35% of the funding up-front and 65% after completion and validation of the MVP.

The exact sequence of events is provided below:

**DISCLAIMER: SmartyGrants below is the old system - JobsForNSW are transitioning to a new system.**
- You put in your application using an online system called SmartyGrants. The form itself is fairly straightforward - we did not use any external consultants.
- You get a notification saying your submission has been received. This is an email and looks like below. **Note the blacked out telephone numbers and emails are public, but have been hidden to the JobsForNSW staff don’t get spammed. If you really need to reach them, get creative with Google.**

![large_blog_assets_winning_how_we_won_a_jobsfornsw_mvp_grant_winning_how_we_won_a_jobsfornsw_mvp_grant_1_2d841642ba.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/b3b2d6cad41e3d63f80db42c944b867368afab8c72e923fcb555222e1d501099.webp)

- You get another notification saying you have been moved to round 1 of the selection process. Unless your application is terrible and you have not completed the form, you should get to here without too many issues. It looks like below:

![large_blog_assets_winning_how_we_won_a_jobsfornsw_mvp_grant_winning_how_we_won_a_jobsfornsw_mvp_grant_2_7333df57c9.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/94b2e99e9ab9dfd3f3359d084cd98de17d450b32322fbfe6bcc52df1b0895fec.webp)

- Once here JobsForNSW has an internal process. In another post we will talk about how that exactly works. For now, the application goes to an internal committee and either you get the grant or you don’t get the grant.
- In our specific case, videotranslator.ai got the grant - Winning! Also, on winning the grant you get notified by email. This looks like below:

![large_blog_assets_winning_how_we_won_a_jobsfornsw_mvp_grant_winning_how_we_won_a_jobsfornsw_mvp_grant_3_7d07efd6c7.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/540d11a63436a2bbb7028f119c2391d7db524193d9f85b7b2484602f2ffe2ede.webp)

- You will also get another email, from a person - that how you know :)

![medium_blog_assets_winning_how_we_won_a_jobsfornsw_mvp_grant_winning_how_we_won_a_jobsfornsw_mvp_grant_3b_a6b1b3e79a.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/7468d364e7740c615562758151a39f68e53b73ff73b07250cd2d0d835e9f2444.webp)

- Download the deed, and make sure you sign and return the contract.

![medium_blog_assets_winning_how_we_won_a_jobsfornsw_mvp_grant_winning_how_we_won_a_jobsfornsw_mvp_grant_3c_0908e6e6c5.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/27f7927293f5c4bd3b6b3bfff43e0e760ff1b293cc161421a983ad71b4571db5.webp)

- Sweet - the entire process took maybe 8 weeks - its a pretty quick turnaround.

## Assuming We Get The Grant - What Do I Need To Know About The Deed?
The grant is fairly simple. That being said, there are a few things which are really important:
- The grant will cover the budget you put into your application. You really want to get this part right!

![medium_blog_assets_winning_how_we_won_a_jobsfornsw_mvp_grant_winning_how_we_won_a_jobsfornsw_mvp_grant_5_6a2f148313.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/d1855567226fa0babac3abcda8b75eab14dfff12f7bb071ad87dcd799629ac1a.webp)

- Additionally, it is important that 80% of the Project Costs are within NSW. This does not mean if you pay Google Cloud or AWS or Azure you are in breach, it means that you can use a maximum of 20% of your budget on offshore resources. You also need to be aware that the duration of the projects is a maximum of 6 months.
- Don’t worry too much about being too specific - in private conversations, the JobsForNSW staff understand you are a startup and maybe not everything works out. They understand that you are trying to do something really hard, and not everything goes to plan always.

![medium_blog_assets_winning_how_we_won_a_jobsfornsw_mvp_grant_winning_how_we_won_a_jobsfornsw_mvp_grant_6_e082418728.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/081ad68120eec7ed87ca496fd3f1124151dd66530208c50b826eb13d37a160c1.webp)

- Lastly, the deed will cover exactly what JobsForNSW will fund and its timing. This looks like so:

![medium_blog_assets_winning_how_we_won_a_jobsfornsw_mvp_grant_winning_how_we_won_a_jobsfornsw_mvp_grant_7_281381b331.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/vtai-web-media-prod/cms/originals/blog-inline/8674b32e896839333cf5acea1ccdffec7159dcc26754d266eeae30903df50c1d.webp)

- You're good to go!

## Assuming We Get The Grant - What Is The Timeline For The Project?
The main points to know:

1. The payment is in two parts. The first 35% is pretty much immediate. You raise and invoice and that is it.
2. The second part happens at the end of the project. You submit a report (using the same online application), have a meeting with your advisor, and then raise another invoice for the remaining 65% of the grant monies. 
3. That is kind of it in terms of process.

## Conclusion
We are super grateful to JobsForNSW. We did complete out prototype, filling out bits that did not work very well. We picked up a client (hopefully they will become a keystone client) during the project, and the client is super happy with our work.

Personally, we have not yet reached product-market fit, which I think of as having a scaleable sales process for your product at a good customer acquisition number (CAC), rather than product itself, but also think we are well on our way 😃 😃

## Thank You
I spoke to some other folks at Fishburners for advice through the process and after. Would like to thank the folks below, you guys are awesome.

1. David Cox at QAChef.
2. Man LEE at Sana.
3. Peter Boyer at Muster - a mate at Fishburners was curious about the MVP process. Hope you get the grant bud!

Check out the above startups - they are doing very cool technology stuff!

Please connect with us on LinkedIn, YouTube or Facebook for any comments, questions, or just to keep up to date with the work we do!

We are very grateful for your support!

Winning: We Won The JobsForNSW MVP Grant! Before, During And After...

A behind-the-scenes look at the JobsForNSW MVP grant journey, from application to execution and lessons learned.

How VideoTranslatorAI Won a JobsForNSW MVP Grant

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Multilingual interpretation, transcription, and structured summaries for high-stakes conversations.

Government and Community Engagement