Applications
Applications will open to Australian startups & SMEs with renewable energy technologies on Monday 26 May.
If you are not eligible for this round, subscribe to our mailing list for future rounds and program updates.
If you have any questions, please email RISEaccelerator@csiro.au.
The India Australia Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) Accelerator is purpose-built to help startups and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with mature cutting-edge technology fast-track their cross-border impact.
RISE Accelerator is delivered through a powerful partnership between:
- CSIRO
- Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, the Government of India's flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.
About the program
The RISE Accelerator provides support to startups and SMEs who are working on innovative technology and are considering overseas expansion. Round 3 supports Australian startups and SMEs with renewable energy technologies looking to scale into India.
The program is tailored to support startups and SMEs working on a range of climate and environment solutions in:
- waste and circular economy (Round 1)
- climate smart agritech (Round 2)
- renewable energy (Round 3 will be open for applications to Australian startups and SMEs on Monday 26 May).
There is no charge to participate in the RISE Accelerator program.
Key program documentation
- RISE Accelerator Program and Grant Guidelines Round 3 Renewable Energy
- RISE Accelerator Program and Grant Guidelines Round 3 Renewable Energy - accessible text
- Sample RISE Accelerator Participation Agreement Round 3 Renewable Energy
- Sample RISE Accelerator Participation Agreement Round 3 Renewable Energy - accessible text
- Sample RISE Accelerator Application Form Round 3 Renewable Energy
- Sample RISE Accelerator Application Form Round 3 Renewable Energy - accessible text
- RISE Accelerator privacy statement
How to apply
To apply for the RISE Accelerator, you must meet the program eligibility criteria.
You will need to complete an online application and provide us with information about your startup or SME.
Need more information?
Read our full list of frequently asked questions.
Explore our case studies to see how we’re helping companies RISE in new markets.
To be notified of upcoming rounds, program updates and news, subscribe to our mailing list
Applications
Applications will open to Australian startups & SMEs with renewable energy technologies on Monday 26 May.
If you are not eligible for this round, subscribe to our mailing list for future rounds and program updates.
If you have any questions, please email RISEaccelerator@csiro.au.
The India Australia Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) Accelerator is purpose-built to help startups and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with mature cutting-edge technology fast-track their cross-border impact.
RISE Accelerator is delivered through a powerful partnership between:
- CSIRO
- Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, the Government of India's flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.
About the program
The RISE Accelerator provides support to startups and SMEs who are working on innovative technology and are considering overseas expansion. Round 3 supports Australian startups and SMEs with renewable energy technologies looking to scale into India.
The program is tailored to support startups and SMEs working on a range of climate and environment solutions in:
- waste and circular economy (Round 1)
- climate smart agritech (Round 2)
- renewable energy (Round 3 will be open for applications to Australian startups and SMEs on Monday 26 May).
There is no charge to participate in the RISE Accelerator program.
FAQ: Program overview and Round 3 challenge area
Round 3 (renewable energy) is open to Australian startups and SMEs with innovative technology, typically with a high technology readiness level (e.g. pilot system developed, or actual system proven through successful operations), who are interested in expanding into the alternate market.
Eligibility criteria:
Startups or SMEs considering applying for the RISE Accelerator must also meet the following eligibility criteria:
- be headquartered or domiciled in Australia
- be registered for GST
- be incorporated in Australia with ABN and ACN or an incorporated trustee applying on behalf of a trust
- have not had revenue of more than A$20 million or equivalent in any of the last three financial years
- have, or be actively developing, a technology or solution that aligns with one or more of the RISE Accelerator round challenge statements
- have a solution at TRL 7 or higher. We may consider solutions at TRL 5-6 that have clear potential to rapidly advance through expansion into India or Australia.
How might we diversify clean energy supply chains and accelerate the energy transition?
Round 3 seeks applications from Australian startups and SMEs with technologies that support clean and renewable energy manufacturing, storage and management challenges.
We’re seeking deployable, novel solutions in solar, battery, wind and hydrogen, supporting our two nations to seize economic opportunities of the net zero transition.
Does your technology or solution address one or more of these challenge statements?
- Can you advance clean and renewable energy critical mineral and materials processing, recovery and or reuse?
- Can you advance designs, technologies, components, infrastructure or manufacturing pathways for enhanced performance, durability and lifespans?
- Can software, hardware and or digital systems enhance the manufacturing, asset management, storage and deployment of clean and renewable energy?
Participating in the RISE Accelerator will help you amplify chances of success in a new market. Startups and SMEs will be able to:
- get up to $135k non-equity grant, subject to performance milestones and competitive assessment
- gain valuable market, cultural and regulatory insight
- fast track connections to the right partners and customers. We will connect you with people who will help you on your journey, including on-the-ground
- engage with mentors, funders, suppliers, distributors, regulators and researchers
- grow and scale technology and research overseas
- pilot, adapt and validate technology for a new market
- visibility of joint-innovation funds, grants and investors.
Read more about the benefits of participating in the program.
The RISE Accelerator delivers a comprehensive learning program made up of online self-paced material, virtual and in-person sessions.
In each new round, competitively selected startups and SMEs participate in a range of cross-border activities to increase their readiness for a new market.
Over the course of four months, you will embark on the Discovery phase, followed by a five-month Pilot phase for successfully selected companies.
Benefit from the expertise and support of our bilateral delivery team, including facilitators and subject matter experts for one-to-one guidance and B2B facilitation.
Expect to invest about six hours per week into the program, comprising live sessions, self-paced learning, and engaging with experts. Additional time commitment will be required for in-person travel experiences, including Immersion Weeks.
Application
and selection
Discovery phase
Online and in-person learning to
build cross-border capabilities
IN-PERSON
Immersion
week
(Australia)
IN-PERSON
Immersion
week
(India)
Market &
pilot plan
EXPERT COACHING AND B2B FACILITATION
Pilot phase
Selected companies will pilot solutions and gain practical
experience with industry partners in the target market
Showcase
Alumni
Ongoing communication,
alumni events
Increased
cross-border
readiness
Application
and selection
Discovery phase
Online and in-person learning to
build cross-border capabilities
IN-PERSON
Immersion
week
(Australia)
IN-PERSON
Immersion
week
(India)
Market &
pilot plan
EXPERT COACHING AND B2B FACILITATION
Pilot phase
Selected companies will pilot solutions and gain practical
experience with industry partners in the target market
Showcase
Alumni
Ongoing communication,
alumni events
Increased
cross-border
readiness
Application
and selection
Discovery phase
Online and in-person learning to
build cross-border capabilities
IN-PERSON
Immersion
week
(Australia)
IN-PERSON
Immersion
week
(India)
Market &
pilot plan
EXPERT COACHING AND B2B FACILITATION
Pilot phase
Selected companies will pilot solutions and gain practical
experience with industry partners in the target market
Showcase
Alumni
Ongoing communication,
alumni events
Increased
cross-border
readiness
Key program documentation
- RISE Accelerator Program and Grant Guidelines Round 3 Renewable Energy PDF (349 KB)
- RISE Accelerator Program and Grant Guidelines Round 3 Renewable Energy - accessible text TXT (61 KB)
- Sample RISE Accelerator Participation Agreement Round 3 Renewable Energy PDF (340 KB)
- Sample RISE Accelerator Participation Agreement Round 3 Renewable Energy - accessible text TXT (39 KB)
- Sample RISE Accelerator Application Form Round 3 Renewable Energy PDF (267 KB)
- Sample RISE Accelerator Application Form Round 3 Renewable Energy - accessible text TXT (15 KB)
- RISE Accelerator privacy statement
How to apply
To apply for the RISE Accelerator, you must meet the program eligibility criteria.
You will need to complete an online application and provide us with information about your startup or SME.
Need more information?
Read our full list of frequently asked questions.
Explore our case studies to see how we’re helping companies RISE in new markets.
To be notified of upcoming rounds, program updates and news, subscribe to our mailing list