Australia’s CSIRO is actively seeking startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) eager to drive innovation in digital health and medical technologies for its upcoming Innovate to Grow program. This free 10-week online initiative is tailored to assist Australian SMEs operating in critical sectors, offering valuable insights and guidance for advancing innovative technologies, solutions, and ideas through research and development (R&D).

Professor Susie Nilsson, Biomedical Manufacturing Research Director at CSIRO, emphasized the importance of fostering meaningful collaboration between research organizations and SMEs. She stated, “Developing a sustainable product in the digital health and medical technology sectors is a challenging and often underestimated process.”

“Innovate to Grow presents a unique opportunity for businesses to gain valuable insights from industry experts about how research and development collaboration can help take their technology to the next level," Professor Nilsson added.

During the program, participants will collaborate with mentors from CSIRO or a university to address technical and business challenges, explore R&D opportunities, and learn how to craft compelling R&D funding applications. Liz Crompton, SME Connect Program Advisor, highlighted the program's impact, stating, "To date, Innovate to Grow has equipped over 500 businesses with the knowledge and tools to advance their ideas."

Participants may also be eligible for dollar-matched R&D funding through the CSIRO Kick-Start program. The program, commencing on March 14, 2024, is available for a limited number of SMEs in sub-sectors such as therapeutics and care, health system analytics, diagnostics, biosensors, biomedical devices, drug discovery, vaccines, and biologic therapeutics.

Applications for CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow: Digital Health and Medical Technology program close on Sunday, February 18, 2024.