The national science agency, CSIRO, has reopened its Innovate to Grow program to small to medium enterprises (SMEs), with this round focused on food innovation and technology.
The series of free 10-week online, self-paced learning programs has had over 600 early-stage companies participate since launching in 2020, under a range of topics. In 2022, Innovate to Grow focused on advanced manufacturing skills, and 2023 featured agrifood.
Led by experienced researchers, the program aims to help participants examine technical and business challenges, explore research and development (R&D) opportunities, and develop actionable business and funding plans for their R&D idea.
CSIRO deputy director impact – Agriculture and Food, Dr Michelle Colgrave, said that SMEs are key for Australia’s continued reputation growth as a global leader in food technology.
“To match our growing population, changing climates and evolving consumer preferences, there’s an increasing need to diversify and develop new food and beverages that will be sustainable into the future,” said Colgrave.
“We are well positioned to do that in Australia with our access to the latest technologies and brightest minds.
“SMEs will be an important part of that, driving innovation right along the supply chain, while delivering sustainable outcomes for the future of our food manufacturing,” she said.
Innovate to Grow: Food Innovation is aimed at SMEs working in the following sub-sectors;
- Beverage manufacturing
- Food production
- Traditional and complimentary proteins
- Bio-manufacturing including precision fermentation
- Sustainable processing
- Value-adding processes.
Applications close on 25 August – for more information and to apply visit the CSIRO website.
