This Free CSIRO Program Could Be the Secret Weapon Your AI Startup Needs
AUSTRALIA,8TH MAY 2025 – The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has called for expressions of interest for the Innovate to Grow program, which aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises working in AI and digital technologies across Australia.
This free, eight-week online program will provide access for selected SMEs to CSIRO researchers, industry mentors, and learning modules that will help them develop a strategy for researching and developing an early-stage innovation.
Participants will receive expert advice to work on concept development, technical feasibility studies, and funding options to invest in the conversion of emerging ideas into investable projects in line with national science and technology priorities.
Key subsectors under consideration include computer vision, machine learning, large language models such as ChatGPT, natural language processing, quantum computing, cybersecurity, digital manufacturing, and robotics.
Michelle Armistead, Program Manager for Innovate to Grow, said,
“Australian SMEs are at the frontier of our digital and AI opportunity. Whether you’re training large-language models, deploying robotics on a factory floor, or hardening cyber-defences, the pace of innovation is relentless. Our role is to connect founders with the science, dat,a and people they need to turn good ideas into investable R&D projects.”
Since 2020, more than 650 SMEs have engaged in this program. Lurra Systems, a satellite and geospatial solutions provider in Melbourne, attributes the program to their ability to take ideas and develop them into collaborative R&D projects.
Luis Elneser, Founder and CEO of Lurra Systems, completed Innovate to Grow in 2023, said,
“The concepts and structure are well-suited for many SMEs, and I would recommend the program to colleagues. I’m now actively executing my R&D plan and collaborating with my mentor on a new project that emerged during the course.”
Applications are now open for businesses looking to make their mark in Australia’s ever-evolving digital economy. Further information and application details are available on the CSIRO website.
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