The CSIRO Kick-Start program helps Australian start-ups and small SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) access dollar-matched funding to undertake research and development (R&D) activities with CSIRO.

It is a targeted program, which forms part of CSIRO’s strategic commitment to deepen our direct support for Australian technology start-ups and SMEs in areas of national growth priorities.

The research activities can include, for example, the development of prototypes, improving methods and processes, or the testing of novel materials to inform R&D.

Eligible companies within three years of registration, or with a turnover and operating expenditure of less than $10 million, can access a Kick-Start voucher of between $10k-50k (matched dollar-for-dollar to the company cash contribution) to assist in accessing CSIRO research capability.

SME Connect’s dedicated Kick-Start team, along with other members of the wider SME Connect team, take a customer first approach and will assist in:

• Connecting the business to the best CSIRO research expertise, utilising our national CSIRO network of facilitators and contacts.
• Expediting the application process and helping with project design, if required, to ensure the project meets customer needs and expectations.
• Maintaining end-to-end engagement – remaining in communication with both researchers and businesses during the course of, and after completion of, the project, to ensure expectations are met, and knowledge transfer is smooth and effective.

The program forms part of the wider CSIRO SME Connect program, which provides facilitation and matched funding services to eligible SMEs with a turnover or expenditure of up to $100 million. For more information on our other offerings see www.csiro.au/SMEconnect

Eligibility

Projects will be developed between the company and the relevant CSIRO researcher(s). If required this can be facilitated by the SME Connect team. Eligible projects must: 

• Include one of the following activities: 
  • Research into a new idea or discovery with commercial potential
  • Development of a novel or improved product or process
  • Testing of a novel product, developed by the company, to inform research and development activities. 
• Be delivered by CSIRO business units and/or facilities. This currently includes: 
  • Agriculture and Food 
  • Data61 
  • Energy 
  • Health and Biosecurity
  • Land and Water 
  • Manufacturing 
  • Mineral Resources 
  • Oceans and Atmosphere 
  • Services
  • Astronomy and Space Science 
  • Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) 
  • National Facilities and Collections
• Be less than 1 year in length
• Have a mutually agreed budget and scope of work

Businesses will need to provide evidence they meet the following criteria as part of the application process: 

• Be registered, and have their primary place of business, within Australia. (Australian subsidiary companies of foreign entities are not eligible) 
• Have an Australian Company number (ACN). 
• Be a for-profit, non-tax exempt company which is registered for GST. 
• Have an annual turnover and operating expenditure of less than $10 million, in the current and each of the two previous financial years OR 
• Have been a registered company for less than 3 years.

Where a company is part of a corporate group, additional information may be requested regarding the group structure and operations to enable assessment of suitability for the Kick-Start program.

The Kick-Start voucher will NOT cover:

• Capital works and expenditure 
• Infrastructure costs

• Phone: (03) 9545 8543
• Email: megan.sebben@csiro.au