ON Accelerate is a free Australian program designed to give teams the skills and support to develop a high potential innovative project and fast-track great research and technology into real world outcomes.

Launched in July 2015 by CSIRO, the ON Program was developed to address Australia’s transitioning economy and shape the foundations of future technology and science industries in Australia. It has supported the creation of 61 new companies and attracted more than $73 million in commercialisation grants and venture funding.

The initiative focuses on business models, market validation, capital raising and storytelling. ON Accelerate helps research teams build their entrepreneurial skills and collaborate more with industry and the broader innovation system to understand and address global challenges.

Research teams are granted access to expert facilitators, mentors and tools to develop these skills.

Participants will work with specialists in:

• Media management
• Performance coaching
• IP
• Finance and contract management
• Investor relations
• Team building.

Participants in the program will have the ability to evaluate term sheets, pitch to VCs, learn about prototyping, building business models, and connect with networks across the country.

Who can participate?

To be eligible, teams of two to five people must be based in Australia for the duration of the program.

The team must include one person who is a researcher at an Australian research organisation, and a current or recently completed (<24 months) PhD student from an Australian university.

The duration of the program is three months, during which ON Accelerate teams will have the opportunity to showcase their idea to multinational corporations, large Australian enterprises, SMEs, government, investors, and universities.

All IP remains the property of the team or their sponsoring institute, and all participants must sign non-disclosure agreements for IP protections.

The program is currently adapting to pilot tailored and virtual formats to continue to support researchers create impact with their research.

Applications are open until Friday 23 September 2022.

You can learn more about the program and apply here