Your dose of research translation, deep-tech and innovation insights
Hi $firstname$,
Here’s your snapshot of what’s happening across the ON ecosystem from innovation updates to the people making it happen.
After an incredible response to ON Prime, applications for ON Accelerate are now open! This is our next step program for researchers ready to turn big ideas into high-impact ventures. We’d love your help to spread the word and reach researchers across Australia. Applications close 7 September 2025.
🚀 Read more about the next round of ON Accelerate.
In this edition, meet ON alumni addressing violence in healthcare, explore new funding and development opportunities - including round two of the AEA grant fund - and read about all the amazing things our alumni have been up to. We’re always excited to share the big things our ecosystem is achieving, so keep those updates coming!
Thanks for being part of the journey.
ONwards,
Tennille and the ON team
Facet Amtech (ON Accelerate 9) are hiring an Operations Coordinator for their deep tech startup. If you know someone who's organised, proactive and keen to be part of an innovative team shaping the future, send them this link to apply.
Have you ever wanted to join the ON team? We're on the hunt for an Ecosystem Manager to connect brilliant people with big ideas – from researchers and universities to mentors and investors – and help bring science to life. With roles open nationwide, we're after someone passionate about science, innovation and building connections. Know someone who fits the bill? Send them our way or help us spread the word!
Grants and funding:
Second round of AEA Ignite and Innovate applications are now open: $150 million in grant funding is available for universities and their industry partners. The grant streams available provide funding up to $500,000 for proof-of-concept Ignite grants and up to $5 million for proof-of-scale Innovate grants.
Graphite Research and Development Grant: The Graphite Research and Development (R&D) Grant provides Australian small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with funding and access to CSIRO experts on collaborative R&D projects. These projects will focus on developing innovative technologies and processes essential for natural and synthetic graphite production, particularly for battery applications.
ARENA’s $60 million funding round: If you’re working on solar tech that could improve cost, efficiency or scalability, now’s your shot to take it from lab to market. ARENA is backing innovation across the solar value chain, from advanced cell and module design to large-scale system deployment and maintenance.
Up to $3 million to support development and commercialisation of RNA technologies: RNA pipeline grants provides funding to NSW-based startups and businesses to help them develop and commercialise innovative RNA technologies.
AusIndustry offering up to $5 million in competitive grant funding: Through the Grid Enhancing Technologies (GET) program, get support for technologies that improve the performance of Australia's electricity networks. This is a fantastic opportunity for researchers working at the intersection of energy and infrastructure.
Gemaker’s grant opportunity database! Stay in the know and search Gemaker’s comprehensive database for capital funding to support your commercialisation journey.
Events and development opportunities:
Applications open for ON Accelerate 10: ON Accelerate is a free program that helps turn research into successful startups. Build traction, validate market fit, attract investment and hone entrepreneurial skills needed to launch and grow a commercial venture.
Key dates:
ASCA Pitch Day 2025: The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) is calling for new capabilities and innovative solutions from across Australian industry and research organisations for Defence. Explore the challenges they’re tackling and apply today. Applications close 8 Sept 2025.
WA Food Industry Education Collaboration Program: If you are a business in the Food & Beverage sector in WA - this one is for you! Tap into high-quality STEM students through the WA Food Industry Education Collaboration (WAFEC) Program, delivered by CSIRO for the WA Government’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Get your tickets for Something Tech 2025: This year’s theme is ‘Reimagining Human Intelligence’. Discover how innovation is evolving the way we think, work and shape the world around us. Join networking, tech talks, panels, tradeshows, knowledge downloads, River Rival + more. 28–29 Aug 2025 | Brisbane
First Wednesday Connect – September 2025: Join the Canberra Innovation Network’s regular networking event and hear Canberra’s emerging entrepreneurs take the stage for a high-energy pitch blitz. 3 Sept 2025 | Canberra
Mind the Regulatory Gap - From Science to Submission: Life Sciences QLD and Sanofi are delivering an intensive, comprehensive one-day workshop designed for innovators and support teams navigating the complex landscape of medicine registration in Australia. 28 August | Brisbane
Learn how to deliver impactful entrepreneurship programs: LaunchVic has launched NOVA, a professional development program for program managers at universities, medical research institutes (MRIs) and startup support organisations, designed to help them create more effective, impactful initiatives. Applications close 1 Sept 2025.
AI with ROI - A guide to smarter AI investment: Feeling the pressure to "do something with AI"? You’re not alone. Join the next CSIRO Conversations, a free webinar to cut through the hype and explore how industry leaders can make smarter, more strategic decisions when it comes to investing in artificial intelligence. 16 Sept 2025.
Awards nomination opportunities:
2025 KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards now open: The 2025 KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards recognises commercialisation teams delivering high-impact, innovative outcomes - big or small. Nominate a team or person driving our ecosystem forward. Nominations close 28 Aug 2025.
Emerging Tech Unpacked’s episode on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) features Dr Christine Carson, Chief Scientific Officer at Cytophenix and ON Accelerate 8 alumni, who discusses the urgent threat AMR poses to global health, from routine surgeries to cancer care, and highlights the growing risk of medicines failing due to drug-resistant infections.
The episode explores how AI-powered diagnostics, rapid testing, and innovative commercial approaches are accelerating solutions against superbugs, why responsible antibiotic use is critical, and the role of government funding in driving essential research.
Cytophenix, an ON Accelerate 8 alumni team, saw Christine awarded the Impactful Leadership Award during her time with the program.
Had a win? Share it with us. We're excited to see our ON alumni making waves! From startups to groundbreaking research, you're shaping the future.
The 2025 Startup Daily Best in Tech Award finalists are in - and we’re thrilled to see some familiar ON names recognised:
Congratulations to all the finalists making an impact in tech.
The Cicada x Tech23 Class of 2025 have been announced and we’re excited to see Sprout Materials (formerly CoffeeKii ON Prime 13), Facet Amtech (ON Accelerate 9) and Terria (ON Accelerate 8 Bootcamp) are among this year’s innovators - making waves!
Bliss Cunningham and Ella Carsale from ON Accelerate 8’s Elemental Therapeutics are proving what’s possible. This Women’s Agenda feature celebrates their entrepreneurial success and the innovation they’re driving in the sector.
HydGene Renewables from ON Accelerate 6 has been named as one of the Top 100 Global Innovators in this year's THRIVE Global Impact Challenge and have also been awarded a Clean Technology Innovation grant from the NSW Government.
Facet Amtech from ON Accelerate 9 has announced a world-first: a breakthrough process that produces ammonia directly from steam and air with no fossil fuels - supported by Main Sequence and Uniseed.
Allegro Energy from ON Prime 7 has been accepted into CSIRO’s RISE Accelerator program and will focus on advancing the commercialisation of its Microemulsion Flow Batteries for grid, industrial, and off-grid applications with partners in India.
QuantX Labs, an ON Prime 1 alumni as team name CryoClock, was awarded a $6M grant in the AEA Innovate round for their ‘Maturing Quantum Sensors to Match Real-World Needs' project.
ON Prime 3 alumni, Cardio Health Checker now Woven Optics, have launched their trademarked Woven Options Wool Scanner that accurately predicts individual animals wool micron.
Another ON Prime 3 and ON Accelerate 5 alum, MGA Thermal, released their first commercial-scale feasibility study that proves MGA Thermal’s TES technology is economically competitive with traditional fossil fuel technologies at an industrial scale. The study investigated the feasibility of a 180MWh TES project capable of delivering 20 tonnes per hour of steam to an industrial site!
OptiGrid from our ON Prime 14 cohort have been selected by Hepburn Energy – Australia’s first community-owned wind farm – to optimise trading for their upcoming 5MWh battery, making it the first community-owned wind plus battery hybrid on the National Energy Market.
ON Prime 5 and ON Accelerate 5 Bootcamp alumni, VitalTrace is now a Perth-based medtech startup and is attracting national interest in its world-first labour monitoring device.
AMTi, ON Prime 17 alum from RMIT's Centre for Additive Manufacturing, have produced a new type of 3D-printed titanium that’s stronger and about a third cheaper! Read the ABC article.
Proud? Always. Inspired? Constantly. Our ON community makes big ideas happen.
CSIRO's ON Innovation Program is made possible through the Department of Education's URCAP funding.