Innovate to Grow: Agrifood WA

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

"The program gave me a lot of confidence in my project. It was really good to understand the key elements in the innovation process, explore the funding landscape and mee other innovators along the way."

Sofia Katzin, Flymumma Pty Ltd

Course 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)

• Participants will be provided with an onboarding session, pre-workshop videos and reading materials to assist in preparing for the program.
• You'll also complete a short pre-program exercise.
• Time commitment is approximately 3 - 4 hours.

Program start: Workshop (start date 25 June 2026, approximately 3.5 hours)

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

Week 1-8: Program timeline

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

Program participants will be invited to an in-person meeting in the last week of the program in Perth CBD.

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 based and operating in Western Australia, working on innovative technologies or solutions in any of these sub-sectors:

• Meat and meat product manufacturing
• Agritech and AI
• Food and beverage manufacturing, packaging, and transport
• Livestock and aquaculture
• Value-add products
• Waste optimisation and recycling
• Energy reduction and circular economy

Selection criteria (essential):

• A business based and operating in Western Australia that is registered with an ABN.
• A business classified as small to medium or start-up (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 Western Australia (Australian subsidiary companies of foreign entities are not eligible).

Other considerations:

• A strong alignment to the 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 FAQ's for SMEs.

Program flyer

• Innovate to Grow: Agrifood and Agtech (WA)
• Innovate to Grow: Agrifood and Agtech (WA) - accessible text

Contact Innovate to Grow

Contact InnovateToGrow@csiro.au for assistance and more information.

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

"The program gave me a lot of confidence in my project. It was really good to understand the key elements in the innovation process, explore the funding landscape and mee other innovators along the way."

Sofia Katzin, Flymumma Pty Ltd

Course 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)

• Participants will be provided with an onboarding session, pre-workshop videos and reading materials to assist in preparing for the program.
• You'll also complete a short pre-program exercise.
• Time commitment is approximately 3 - 4 hours.

Program start: Workshop (start date 25 June 2026, approximately 3.5 hours)

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

Week 1-8: Program timeline

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

Program participants will be invited to an in-person meeting in the last week of the program in Perth CBD.

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 based and operating in Western Australia, working on innovative technologies or solutions in any of these sub-sectors:

• Meat and meat product manufacturing
• Agritech and AI
• Food and beverage manufacturing, packaging, and transport
• Livestock and aquaculture
• Value-add products
• Waste optimisation and recycling
• Energy reduction and circular economy

Selection criteria (essential):

• A business based and operating in Western Australia that is registered with an ABN.
• A business classified as small to medium or start-up (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 Western Australia (Australian subsidiary companies of foreign entities are not eligible).

Other considerations:

• A strong alignment to the 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 FAQ's for SMEs.

Program flyer

• Innovate to Grow: Agrifood and Agtech (WA) PDF (943 KB)
• Innovate to Grow: Agrifood and Agtech (WA) - accessible text TXT (4 KB)

Contact Innovate to Grow

Contact InnovateToGrow@csiro.au for assistance and more information.

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