CSIRO expands R&D funding for SMEs

CSIRO has announced that it has expanded its Kick-Start program to enable more Australian small businesses to access its research and development (R&D) funding and expertise. The program has now been expanded with an increase in eligibility to include businesses with a turnover of up to $10 million, up from the previous eligibility of up to $1.5 million.

The CSIRO Kick-Start program assists Australian small to medium enterprises (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 CSIRO 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.

Dr Doug Hilton, CSIRO’s newly appointed Chief Executive, said the expansion of the program underscored CSIRO’s commitment to create benefit for Australia by 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,” he said. “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.”

From AI-powered tech to native skincare, hydrogen prototypes to Indigenous farming, the CSIRO Kick-Start program connects visionary businesses with cutting-edge science and technology.

Key elements of the program include:

• facilitation to help refine the research question
• connecting businesses with relevant CSIRO researcher expertise and capability
• dollar-matched funding support to improve the affordability or expand the scope of R&D services.
   

“In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, innovation is the lifeblood of success,” said Dr Megan Sebben, CSIRO’s Kick-Start Program Manager. “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.”