CSIRO ON Innovation Program

The CSIRO ON Innovation Program is a cornerstone initiative of Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, dedicated to accelerating research breakthroughs into tangible, real-world impact. Established in 2015, the program serves publicly funded researchers and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Australia, empowering them with the essential skills, networks, and pathways needed to translate their innovative ideas beyond traditional academia and into the market. Through a suite of free, structured programs such as ON Prime and ON Accelerate, it equips participants to tackle diverse challenges, whether social, environmental, cultural, or technological, fostering a mindset geared towards commercialisation, collaboration, or other forms of impactful translation.

A key differentiator of the ON Innovation Program is its science domain-agnostic approach, bringing together innovators from across the research and deep tech ecosystem. This inclusivity ensures a broad spectrum of ideas and expertise converges, fostering a rich environment for cross-disciplinary learning and development. The program emphasises hands-on application, interactive learning, and extensive networking opportunities, connecting researchers with investors, industry experts, and government stakeholders. Participants gain confidence in customer discovery, market validation, business model development, capital raising, and effective storytelling of their ventures.

Since its inception, the ON Innovation Program has delivered significant national achievements, demonstrating its profound impact on Australia's innovation landscape. As of March 2025, the program has supported over 7,800 researchers, leading to the creation of more than 700 deep-tech jobs and helping alumni secure over $750 million in funding. Earlier statistics from March 2025 also indicated more than 8,500 participants upskilled, over 1,100 jobs supported by new companies formed by alumni, $393+ million in commercialisation grants attracted, and $485+ million in investment capital raised. This robust track record underscores the program's effectiveness in nurturing a vibrant community of founders, advisors, industry partners, and investors.

The program is continuously evolving, as highlighted by initiatives like the Inclusive Innovation Playbook, developed in partnership with the Australian National University (ANU), to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion are embedded within Australia's innovation ecosystem. This commitment aims to unlock Australia's full innovation potential by ensuring all voices are heard and supported. The broader CSIRO Innovation Programs, which include the ON Innovation Program, are directed by Simon Hanson. This leadership, coupled with a dedicated team, continues to drive the program's mission to empower researchers and translate groundbreaking science into solutions for Australia's greatest challenges.