Innovation can be a tough path for early-stage businesses. Many small enterprises with bright ideas face common hurdles — from the high cost of technical expertise to the challenge of finding the right research partners. The CSIRO Kick-Start program is designed to help remove those barriers, offering both funding and research collaboration for companies ready to develop or test new ideas.
The program provides matched funding of between $10,000 and $50,000 for eligible businesses to work with CSIRO researchers. Companies must contribute the same amount in cash, and in return gain access to specialist facilities, scientific know-how, and guidance through every stage of the research process.
Projects can cover a range of activities, from developing prototypes and testing new materials to improving manufacturing methods or validating emerging technologies. The program is open to companies with annual turnover or operating expenditure under $10 million, or those trading for less than three years. Each project is capped at one year in duration, and eligible businesses may apply for a second voucher after completing their first.
Kick-Start operates through CSIRO’s SME Connect division, which also manages other industry support programs. Its facilitators help each company identify research questions, find the most suitable expertise within CSIRO’s divisions — including Energy, Manufacturing, and Data61 — and manage the project’s practical and contractual details.
Research into the outcomes of SME–research partnerships shows the value of programs like Kick-Start. CSIRO’s report Commercial Outcomes of SME-Research Collaboration, produced with the University of Queensland, found that small and regional businesses in particular benefit from these collaborations. The study revealed that research partnerships help companies develop new products, prototypes, and improved processes, while reducing risks in early-stage R&D.
Dr George Feast, Director of SME Connect Programs, said the data showed clear benefits for businesses willing to collaborate. “What’s most exciting about this new data is that it shows SMEs who undertake R&D are experiencing impactful outcomes. We hope these findings will encourage other companies to think about working with the Australian research sector and decide to explore a project of their own; we can help them find the best support and research partner for their ideas.”
With almost 200 companies already supported through Kick-Start, the program continues to serve as an accessible pathway for small enterprises to engage in research collaboration that might otherwise be out of reach.
