Australian small businesses can now access R&D funding and expertise through CSIRO as it broadens its Kick-Start program, expanding its eligibility to include businesses with a turnover of up to $10 million.
Previously, eligibility was limited to companies with a turnover of up to $1.5 million.
The CSIRO Kick-Start program assists Australian SMEs and scale-ups by providing facilitation and dollar-matched funding to access CSIRO’s research expertise and capabilities for company-led R&D projects.
Since its inception in 2017, the Kick-Start program has been a catalyst for over 260 small business projects, contributing just under $24 million in R&D activities. Collectively, these companies now hold a market value exceeding $2 billion.
CSIRO chief executive Dr Doug Hilton said the expansion of the program underscored CSIRO’s commitment supporting Australian entrepreneurship and innovation.
“CSIRO can absolutely play a role in supporting SMEs to embrace research and in stimulating entrepreneurship among our scientists and others in the community.
“Expanding the eligibility of the CSIRO Kick-Start program means we can offer more Australian businesses, more Australian innovators, more Australian entrepreneurs' access to the resources, knowledge, and support they need to flourish,” said Hilton.
From AI-powered tech to native skincare, Indigenous farming, pet food and plant proteins, the Kick-Start program aims to connect businesses with science and technology capabilities.
Key elements of the program include:
- Facilitation to help refine the research question;
- connecting businesses with relevant CSIRO researcher expertise and capability; and
- dollar-matched funding support to improve the affordability or expand the scope of R&D services.
CSIRO’s Kick-Start program manager Dr Megan Sebben said the program’s role in accelerating technologies to market was to overcome barriers by facilitating research for SMEs.
“In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, innovation is the lifeblood of success, yet, many start-ups and SMEs face barriers, such as limited expertise and insufficient funding, that hinder R&D access.
“Our program serves as a driver for change, providing comprehensive facilitation to overcome these challenges,” said Sebben.
Expressions of Interest for the expanded Kick Start program are now open.
