Brandon Capital has opened the second funding round for its CUREator+ Dementia and Cognitive Decline incubator program, offering up to $5 million in non-dilutive grant funding per project to advance innovative solutions for dementia care and treatment.
The program represents a strategic partnership between Brandon BioCatalyst, ANDHealth, and Dementia Australia, backed by the Australian Federal Government's Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). The initiative addresses the urgent needs of an estimated 433,300 Australians currently living with dementia and the 1.7 million caregivers who support them.
Comprehensive Funding Structure
The CUREator+ program provides grants ranging from $1 million to $5 million per project through a structured two-stage funding mechanism. Stage 1 funding supports initial development activities, while Stage 2 offers competitive top-up funding for successful projects that meet predetermined milestones during the initial phase. Successful projects receive a maximum of four years to complete both stages and achieve their specified objectives.
The funding operates through tranche disbursement, with capital released upon successful completion of key pre-agreed project milestones. This approach ensures accountability while providing sustained support for commercially viable innovations throughout their development trajectory.
Broad Therapeutic Scope
Eligible projects encompass a wide range of interventions targeting dementia and cognitive decline. The program supports development of novel biomarkers, advanced diagnostics, both novel and repurposed therapeutics, medical and assistive devices, and digital health technologies. Projects may address early diagnosis capabilities, prevention of disease progression severity, and management of cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and motor symptoms associated with dementia.
Beyond direct medical interventions, the program also funds initiatives that promote enabling environments to enhance safety and quality of life for individuals living with dementia and cognitive decline. This holistic approach recognizes the multifaceted nature of dementia care and the need for comprehensive solutions.
Commercial Development Focus
The program specifically targets commercially oriented projects across preclinical, clinical, and commercial development stages. Successful applicants gain access to commercial guidance, international expert networks, and hands-on mentorship designed to accelerate translation and commercialization of their innovations.
Projects must demonstrate clear pathways toward achieving preclinical, clinical, or commercial evidence that significantly enhances their ability to commercialize, demonstrate patient impact, raise growth capital, or execute market entry strategies. This commercial focus ensures that funded innovations have realistic prospects for reaching patients and caregivers.
Eligibility and Application Process
Eligible applicants include Australian small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and researchers at Australian universities or research institutes willing to incorporate as new companies if successful. The competitive, merit-based selection process evaluates projects based on their scientific merit, commercial viability, and potential impact on dementia care.
The second funding round remains open until Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM AEST. Interested entrepreneurial researchers, clinical innovators, founders, and start-ups can submit applications through the program's dedicated grant platform.
Addressing Critical Healthcare Needs
With dementia representing one of Australia's most pressing healthcare challenges, the CUREator+ program addresses significant unmet medical needs in early detection, treatment, and care management. The initiative's comprehensive approach spans the entire spectrum of dementia care, from fundamental research through commercial deployment of innovative solutions.
The program's emphasis on both therapeutic and non-therapeutic interventions reflects the complex nature of dementia care, where medical treatments must be complemented by supportive technologies and environmental modifications to optimize patient outcomes and caregiver support.
