Innovate to Grow (Queensland): Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence

Program detail

This program will assist you in:

• Refining your innovation idea and learning how to transform it into an R&D opportunity.
• Accessing tools and information for a comprehensive understanding of R&D collaboration and key considerations at each step.
• Applying this knowledge to advance your technology or R&D concept.
• Gaining industry insights from experts, researchers and your R&D coach.
• Collaborating with like-minded SMEs and expanding your professional network.

Program Alumni

“Innovate to Grow will support our future R&D planning and improvements, with the exercises serving as a compass while we're already working in the field.”

- Mr Ray Kwon, BeeSTAR

Program outline

The program is made up of virtual webinars, online learning and exercises as follows:

Preparing for the program (one week before workshop, approximately 3-4 hours)

• You will receive access to an onboarding session, pre-workshop videos and reading materials to assist in preparing for the program.
• You will complete a short pre-program exercise.
• Time investment is approximately 3-4 hours.

Program start: Workshop (15 October 2026, approximately 3.5 hours)

• The program's main compulsory component is a half-day workshop covering the program concept. You will hear from industry and research experts as well as relevant industry SMEs. Topics include trends within your industry sector, research and innovation theory, meet the participants and a break-out session with your R&D coach.
• Time investment is approximately 3.5 hours. 

Week 1-8: Program timeline

• You will work through the online innovation program and exercises, supported by an R&D coach and experienced innovation facilitators to develop and test your research idea and business case.
• Fortnightly webinars for participant networking and guest speakers.
• A final survey at completion.
• Time investment is approximately 2-3 hours per week.

Key program outcomes

• Refine your research idea: We'll step you through the process of turning your idea into a viable research project.
• Confidential feedback: Meet with a CSIRO facilitator to discuss your program exercises and business challenges.
• Coaching: Learn more about research projects and get connected to an expert with help from an R&D coach.
• Build your network: You will build key contacts in your sector, including researchers and other SMEs.

Key program outputs

• Identify strengths and weaknesses of your business idea.
• Build your R&D project plan.
• Develop your project roadmap and funding strategy.
• Review your business idea and create a list of priorities and actions.

Who can apply

This program is open to eligible SMEs operating in Queensland Australia who are working on digital technologies or artificial intelligence solutions in any of these sub-sectors:

• Artificial Intelligence, including:
  • computer vision
  • machine learning
  • GPTs / LLMs
  • Natural language processing
• Digital manufacturing
• Quantum manufacturing and computing
• Cybersecurity
• Robotics and autonomous systems
• Other.

Selection criteria (essential):

• A business based and operating in Queensland Australia that is registered with an ABN
• A business classified as small to medium or startup (less than 200 employees)
• A business currently, or in the early stages of, exploring R&D opportunities for their business and have an innovation idea to work on throughout the program. 

Please note: Businesses need to be registered and have their primary place of business within Australia (Australian subsidiary companies of foreign entities are not eligible).

Other considerations:

• A strong alignment to purpose of the program.
• A clear desire to investigate doing a R&D project

Please note

CSIRO awards places to businesses based on the strength of their application, and a clear interest and capacity to pursue research and development. For further information please visit our FAQs for SMEs.

Program flyer

• Innovate to Grow: DigiTech and AI flyer
• Innovate to Grow: DigiTech and AI flyer - accessible text 

CSIRO Innovate to Grow is delivered using Practera’s online ed-tech platform and facilitation services.

Program detail

This program will assist you in:

• Refining your innovation idea and learning how to transform it into an R&D opportunity.
• Accessing tools and information for a comprehensive understanding of R&D collaboration and key considerations at each step.
• Applying this knowledge to advance your technology or R&D concept.
• Gaining industry insights from experts, researchers and your R&D coach.
• Collaborating with like-minded SMEs and expanding your professional network.

Program Alumni

“Innovate to Grow will support our future R&D planning and improvements, with the exercises serving as a compass while we're already working in the field.”

- Mr Ray Kwon, BeeSTAR

Program outline

The program is made up of virtual webinars, online learning and exercises as follows:

Preparing for the program (one week before workshop, approximately 3-4 hours)

• You will receive access to an onboarding session, pre-workshop videos and reading materials to assist in preparing for the program.
• You will complete a short pre-program exercise.
• Time investment is approximately 3-4 hours.

Program start: Workshop (15 October 2026, approximately 3.5 hours)

• The program's main compulsory component is a half-day workshop covering the program concept. You will hear from industry and research experts as well as relevant industry SMEs. Topics include trends within your industry sector, research and innovation theory, meet the participants and a break-out session with your R&D coach.
• Time investment is approximately 3.5 hours. 

Week 1-8: Program timeline

• You will work through the online innovation program and exercises, supported by an R&D coach and experienced innovation facilitators to develop and test your research idea and business case.
• Fortnightly webinars for participant networking and guest speakers.
• A final survey at completion.
• Time investment is approximately 2-3 hours per week.

Key program outcomes

• Refine your research idea: We'll step you through the process of turning your idea into a viable research project.
• Confidential feedback: Meet with a CSIRO facilitator to discuss your program exercises and business challenges.
• Coaching: Learn more about research projects and get connected to an expert with help from an R&D coach.
• Build your network: You will build key contacts in your sector, including researchers and other SMEs.

Key program outputs

• Identify strengths and weaknesses of your business idea.
• Build your R&D project plan.
• Develop your project roadmap and funding strategy.
• Review your business idea and create a list of priorities and actions.

Who can apply

This program is open to eligible SMEs operating in Queensland Australia who are working on digital technologies or artificial intelligence solutions in any of these sub-sectors:

• Artificial Intelligence, including:
  • computer vision
  • machine learning
  • GPTs / LLMs
  • Natural language processing
• Digital manufacturing
• Quantum manufacturing and computing
• Cybersecurity
• Robotics and autonomous systems
• Other.

Selection criteria (essential):

• A business based and operating in Queensland Australia that is registered with an ABN
• A business classified as small to medium or startup (less than 200 employees)
• A business currently, or in the early stages of, exploring R&D opportunities for their business and have an innovation idea to work on throughout the program. 

Please note: Businesses need to be registered and have their primary place of business within Australia (Australian subsidiary companies of foreign entities are not eligible).

Other considerations:

• A strong alignment to purpose of the program.
• A clear desire to investigate doing a R&D project

Please note

CSIRO awards places to businesses based on the strength of their application, and a clear interest and capacity to pursue research and development. For further information please visit our FAQs for SMEs.

Program flyer

• Innovate to Grow: DigiTech and AI flyer PDF (718 KB)
• Innovate to Grow: DigiTech and AI flyer - accessible text TXT (4 KB) 

CSIRO Innovate to Grow is delivered using Practera’s online ed-tech platform and facilitation services.