Up to 750 SMEs will benefit from CSIRO's latest investment into its SME Connect initiative, which is aimed at boosting R&D opportunities. Its flagship program, CSIRO Kick-Start , has facilitated more than 280 projects since it began in 2017.
The Kick-Start program recently expanded its eligibility to include businesses with a turnover of up to $10 million. Alumni companies of the program now collectively hold a market value exceeding $2 billion.
Goterra, an award-winning start-up based in Canberra, found success emerging from CSIRO’s SME Connect programs. Its founder Olympia Yarger, developed an innovative waste management system that utilises insects to process food waste, resulting in a 97 per cent reduction of greenhouse gases. Woolworths was Goterra’s foundation customer, installing its food waste management system at Wetherill Park, Sydney.
Yarger said Goterra leveraged its collaboration with CSIRO farming experts to overcome critical challenges.
“CSIRO’s Kick-Start program connected us with leading scientists who not only provided world class research capabilities to some of our most complex problems but were also pivotal in supporting our exploration of business opportunities, alternative technological advancements and industry connections,” said Yarger.
CSIRO chief executive Dr Doug Hilton, said the investment would have a transformative impact on Australia’s SME sector.
“SMEs are crucial drivers of Australia’s future and so often the engine room of new, innovative thinking and solutions to many of the challenges our society faces.
“CSIRO is committed to its role within the innovation ecosystem of supporting SMEs in embracing research and providing access to the resources, knowledge, and support they need to flourish,” said Hilton.
SMEs constitute 99.8 per cent of businesses, contributing to more than half to the gross domestic product (GDP) and employing 68 per cent of the private sector workforce.
CSIRO’s SME Connect team has supported start-ups and SMEs across a broad range of industry sectors including technology, manufacturing, agriculture, mining, energy and health and biosecurity.
CSIRO SME Connect director Simon Hanson said the investment would boost Australian innovation by providing practical pathways for SMEs to leverage the expertise and facilities of the national science agency.
“Our research has shown that strong collaboration between industry and the research sector is crucial for the longevity and success of Australian SMEs.
“This funding injection enables us to encourage and support initiatives aimed at bridging this gap, fostering meaningful collaborations between businesses and academia, we aim to facilitate innovation and growth within the SME ecosystem,” said Hanson.
CSIRO’s SME Connect delivers the following programs and initiatives; CSIRO Kick-Start, Innovate to Grow, Generation STEM Links, RISE Accelerator and the Collaboration Readiness Levels tool.
