Software companies are unhappy they've been all but written out of the government's new Research and Development funding system, which begins in just over two weeks' time.
From 1 April a tax incentive will replace the Callaghan Innovation growth grant, however with the change comes a narrowed criteria, potentially shutting out hundreds of local firms.
The government says it's aware of "teething problems" and is working on a fix.
Emma Hatton reports.