CSIRO ON Accelerate

CSIRO ON Accelerate is a distinguished commercialisation acceleration program based in Acton, Australia, dedicated to transforming cutting-edge research into viable, market-ready ventures. Launched in July 2015 as an integral part of CSIRO's Strategy 2020, the program aims to bolster Australia's innovation landscape by fostering stronger connections between scientific discovery and business development. It primarily serves entrepreneurial researchers, including PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and established academics from Australian universities and publicly funded research organisations (PFROs), alongside Australian startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have licensed or acquired intellectual property from these research bodies.

A key differentiator of ON Accelerate is its commitment to supporting deep tech innovation without taking equity or intellectual property from participating teams. This unique approach ensures that researchers retain full ownership of their discoveries, fostering an environment of trust and empowerment. The program spans three months, offering intensive, free commercialisation support, complemented by grants of up to $15,000 to assist teams with their development activities. This non-dilutive funding model significantly reduces financial barriers for nascent deep tech ventures, allowing them to focus on innovation and market penetration.

Throughout the program, participants engage in tailored coaching, workshops, and mentoring sessions designed to refine business models, validate market fit, enhance storytelling for investors, and prepare for capital raising. The structured curriculum covers essential entrepreneurial skills, including networking, pitching, and investor engagement. Teams receive one-on-one guidance from domain experts, investors, and experienced facilitators, challenging their thinking and sharpening their commercialisation strategies. The program culminates in a highly anticipated Showcase event, where teams present their progress and innovations to a broad ecosystem of investors, industry leaders, and potential partners.

CSIRO ON Accelerate has achieved significant impact since its inception, with alumni collectively establishing 83 new companies. These ventures have successfully attracted over $371 million in commercialisation grants and raised more than $433 million in investment capital, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in translating research into tangible economic and societal benefits. The broader ON Program has upskilled over 8500 participants, contributing to the creation of more than 1100 jobs. This strong track record underscores the program's pivotal role in cultivating a vibrant deep tech ecosystem in Australia, addressing critical national challenges across diverse sectors.

The program is guided by experienced leaders within CSIRO. Tennille Eyre serves as the Executive Manager of Innovation Programs and ON Innovation Program Director, while Dr Jen Taylor is the Executive Director of Future Industries. Dr Doug Hilton AO, the CSIRO Chief Executive, provides overarching leadership, championing the translation of scientific research into real-world impact. Their combined vision reinforces ON Accelerate's mission to empower Australian researchers to confidently navigate the journey from laboratory to market, creating lasting positive change for the nation.