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Season's greetings from the SME Connect team

Season's greetings. Organoid culture systems based on liver cells to grow and study rabbit biocontrol viruses inside a Xmas bauble

From ground-breaking projects to the launch and expansion of new and existing programs, we've had lots to celebrate this year. 

Thank you for your continued support and collaboration. We look forward to even more exciting ventures and shared success in 2024!

Calling all business owners: We need your insights!

We are surveying business owners who have completed a research project with a university or research institution. These insights will help shape future programs and support for businesses like yours. Please take 10 minutes to complete our survey.

Programs open to applications

RISE Accelerator

Applications are currently open for start-ups and SMEs seeking to support India and Australia’s transition to a circular economy through the RISE Accelerator program. Applications close 7 January 2024.

Generation STEM Links

Generation STEM Links provides high-quality internships to help NSW-based tertiary students gain workplace skills and transition into STEM jobs after graduation.

GAP BLITZ program

Commencing in February 2024, the 12-week CSIRO Lindfield Collaboration Hub GAP BLITZ program is open to applications for start-ups and SMEs. This program is designed to identify and target problem areas through a combination of cohort-based learning and personalised business coaching.

CSIRO Kick-Start expands its eligibility

The CSIRO Kick-Start program has expanded its eligibility, meaning more Australian businesses can now access R&D funding and expertise. Businesses with a turnover of up to $10 million can now apply.

SMEs in the spotlight

Wash Wild

Native Australian oils combatting household pathogens

Wash Wild collaborated with CSIRO Kick-Start to develop W4C®, a unique blend of Australian oils effective against a wide range of bacteria and fungi. This culminated in the launch of a range of environmentally friendly cleaning products, which are an alternative to traditionally harsh household cleaners.

Food Recycle

From food waste to aquaculture feed

Since 2019, Food Recycle have been diverting commercial food waste from landfill by converting it into high quality poultry feed. Supported by CSIRO Kick-Start, they’re branching out to meet the demand for high-quality feed for farmed barramundi and prawns.

Congrats!

Last week, Eyes of AI won the Research and Development Project of the Year at the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance Awards, and were awarded ‘merit’ in the Artificial Intelligence Project of the Year category. Facilitated by the CSIRO Kick-Start program, Eyes of AI worked with researchers from CSIRO’s Data61 to create ground-breaking machine learning models that can identify normal anatomy and pathological lesions in dental radiographs.

Earlier this week, Cresstec won the 2023 World Future Award in the Best Energy Saving Solutions category. The award recognises Cresstec’s loyalty to revolutionising the landscape of sustainable technologies while significantly contributing to energy reduction and efficiency. Through CSIRO Kick-Start, Cresstec worked with the CSIRO Energy business unit to test the effectiveness of their flagship product, REED, in various environments.

Industry insights

Funding opportunities

The CSIRO SME team are here to help

  • If you have a program, event or funding opportunity of interest to our start-up and SME network, please email sme@csiro.au with your submission. 
  • Not sure where to start? Contact us. There’s a friendly facilitator who can help.