CBRIN SME Accelerator

The CBRIN SME Accelerator is a core program offered by the Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN), dedicated to fostering growth and innovation within the small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector in Canberra, Australia. Established in 2014, CBRIN itself serves as the ACT's central innovation hub, connecting entrepreneurs, businesses, universities, and research institutions to collectively drive economic growth and job creation. The SME Accelerator specifically targets ambitious SME owners, founders, and leaders who are looking to unblock business challenges and accelerate their growth trajectory.

This accelerator program is designed as an intensive workshop, typically spanning one or two days, providing participants with dedicated time to work *on* their businesses, rather than just *in* them. The curriculum focuses on innovative methods and entrepreneurial approaches, helping attendees identify growth limitations, refine business plans, and develop new strategies. Facilitated by experienced growth and innovation experts, the program offers unique content derived from CBRIN's extensive suite of programs, ensuring relevance and practicality for SME contexts.

A key differentiator of the CBRIN SME Accelerator is its emphasis on peer-to-peer support and a collaborative learning environment. Participants join a cohort of like-minded business leaders, benefiting from collective feedback, diverse perspectives, and the opportunity to test new ideas within a supportive group. Guest speakers, often successful local entrepreneurs such as Jarrod Deaton of Three Mills Bakery, share candid stories and insights into leadership, accountability, and business scaling. This immersive setting also facilitates valuable networking opportunities with mentors, high-growth startup founders, and venture investors.

The program aims to challenge existing perspectives and instill a high-growth mindset among participants. Alumni frequently report gaining significant clarity on their business operations, developing actionable goals, and acquiring strategic approaches to accelerate growth. Notable participants include companies like FlexiPhone, Overflow, Proactive Labs, Capital Wines, Instant Colour Press (ICP), Simply SecOps, and Rocket Remit, all of whom have leveraged the accelerator to gain insights and drive their ventures forward. CBRIN's overall impact on the ACT economy is substantial, contributing $195 million to the Gross State Product in 2024 and supporting numerous jobs.

The SME Accelerator forms a vital part of CBRIN's broader mission to empower entrepreneurs and diversify the ACT economy. Led by CEO Petr Adamek, with the SME Accelerator program facilitated by experts such as Shashank Bokil, CBRIN consistently delivers programs and events tailored to various stages of business maturity and sectors. The network's commitment to fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem makes the SME Accelerator a crucial resource for Canberra's aspiring and established small and medium enterprises.