Blog icon

About the ON Program

The ON program is delivered as part of a broad suite of innovation initiatives. The directive of our innovation program remains the same as when the ON program was first formed  to fast-track technology and ideas into the market and to get it into people's hands more quickly.

Originally developed as part of CSIRO's Innovation Catalyst in 2015, the ON program has delivered industry-leading innovation training and support to thousands of people from Australian universities and research institutes.

Our program of events and experiences delivered throughout this time (including ON Accelerate, ON Prime) has been successful in driving impact and creating cultural change.

Our programs continue to support researchers and deep tech businesses create impact with their work.

Important statistics

3150+

Participants upskilled through ON programs

510+

Jobs supported by new companies formed by ON alumni

$112.1 million

Commercialisation grants attracted by ON alumni

$115.5 million

Investment capital raised by new companies 

Our ON programs

Our ON programs give research teams the skills and confidence they need to translate their solutions into positive economic, environmental and social impact. ON Prime and ON Accelerate are now open for applications.

ON Prime Lite

ON Prime Lite gives individuals or teams the skills they need to explore their ecosystem and have meaningful discussions with stakeholders, including potential industry partners.

ON Prime

ON Prime gives researchers the skills and confidence to undertake customer discovery and market validation activities that enable them to take their research further.

ON Accelerate

ON Accelerate is a structured accelerator program for research teams to validate and develop high potential innovative ventures. Applications are now open. Prospective applicants will have until 7 October to finalise and submit your application.

Our D.Start programs

Innovation and entrepreneurship programs that empower Australian researchers and SMEs to connect with defence, identify real-world applications for their tech, and attract resources to create capability.

D.Start Spark

D.Start Spark introduces research teams to the tools and techniques they need to view their research through the lens of defence industry customers.

D.Start Fuze

D.Start Fuze connects the D.Start community with inspiring players in the defence ecosystem at an exclusive, in-person event.

D.Start Ignite

D.Start Ignite gives research teams and SMEs the know-how to engage with the defence industry.

Our network of success

Our facilitators and mentors

Our programs are supported by an extensive network of expert mentors and facilitators. Find out more about our network of mentors and how you can become one.

Our alumni

Teams who have been through one of our experiences in the past and now form our Alumni.

Join our mailing list

Be the first to hear the news and updates from our ON program.

Contact us

Find out how we can help you and your business. Get in touch using the form below and our experts will get in contact soon!

CSIRO will handle your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and our Privacy Policy.


First name must be filled in

Surname must be filled in

I am representing *

Please choose an option

Please provide a subject for the enquriy

0 / 100

We'll need to know what you want to contact us about so we can give you an answer

0 / 1900

You shouldn't be able to see this field. Please try again and leave the field blank.