Innovate to Grow: Agrifood WA

Program detail

This program will assist you in:

• Refining your innovation idea and learning how to transform it into an R&D opportunity
• Accessing tools and information for a comprehensive understanding of R&D collaboration and key considerations at each step
• Applying this knowledge to advance your technology or R&D concept
• Gaining industry insights from experts, researchers and your mentor
• Collaborating with like-minded SMEs and expanding your professional network

Program alumni

"This program really clarified what I needed to do to progress my idea. I thought I was in a good position before Innovate to Grow, but I soon realised I didn't know what I didn't know! I'm so grateful for this opportunity - it has been invaluable. I've come away feeling more confident and excited."

Jo Barrett, Little Picket

Course outline

The program is made up of virtual webinars and self-paced learning as follows:

Preparing for the program (one week before workshop, approximately 3-4 hours)

• Participants will be provided with an onboarding session and pre-workshop videos and reading materials to assist in preparing for the program.
• Time commitment is approximately three to four hours.

Week 1: Workshop (start date 15 May 2025, approximately 4 hours)

• The program's main compulsory component is a half-day workshop covering the program concept. Participants will hear from CSIRO industry and research experts as well as relevant industry SMEs. Key topics include trends within your industry sector, a panel discussion with collaborating SMEs, and current funding opportunities for R&D.
• Time commitment is approximately 4 hours.

Week 2-8: Self-paced innovation program

• Participants will work through the online innovation program at their own pace, supported by a mentor and experienced innovation facilitators to develop and test their research idea and business case.
• Fortnightly webinars for participant networking and guest speakers.
• Time commitment is approximately 2-3 hours per week.

Program participants will be invited to an in-person meeting in the last week of the program in Perth CBD.

Key program benefits

• Personalised support to refine your idea: We'll step you through the process of turning your idea into a viable research project.
• Confidential feedback: All submissions through the program portal will receive prompt expert feedback.
• Mentor: You will be provided with a guide from CSIRO or a university to answer your questions about working on R&D projects and to help find an expert in the sector to introduce you to.
• Build your network: You will build key contacts in your sector, including researchers and other SMEs.

Who can apply

This program is open to eligible SMEs based and operating in Western Australia, working on innovative technologies or solutions in any of these sub-sectors:

• Meat and meat product manufacturing
• Agriculture and fishing support services
• Aquaculture
• Livestock
• Beverage manufacturing
• Food product manufacturing
• Alternative proteins
• Agritech
• Other

Selection criteria (essential):

• A business based and operating in Western Australia that is registered with an ABN and ACN/ICN
• A business classified as small to medium (less than 200 employees)
• A business currently, or in the early stages of, exploring R&D opportunities for their business and have an innovative idea to work on throughout the program

Please note: Businesses need to be registered and have their primary place of business within Western Australia (Australian subsidiary companies of foreign entities are not eligible). Researchers working at universities can apply as a mentor but not as a participant.

Other considerations:

• A strong alignment to the program objectives
• A clear desire to investigate doing a R&D project

Please note

CSIRO awards places to businesses based on the strength of their application, and a clear interest and capacity to pursue research and development. For further information please visit our FAQ's.

Program flyer

• Innovate to Grow: Agrifood WA
• Innovate to Grow: Agrifood WA - accessible text

Contact Innovate to Grow

Contact InnovateToGrow@csiro.au for assistance and more information.

Program detail

This program will assist you in:

• Refining your innovation idea and learning how to transform it into an R&D opportunity
• Accessing tools and information for a comprehensive understanding of R&D collaboration and key considerations at each step
• Applying this knowledge to advance your technology or R&D concept
• Gaining industry insights from experts, researchers and your mentor
• Collaborating with like-minded SMEs and expanding your professional network

Program alumni

"This program really clarified what I needed to do to progress my idea. I thought I was in a good position before Innovate to Grow, but I soon realised I didn't know what I didn't know! I'm so grateful for this opportunity - it has been invaluable. I've come away feeling more confident and excited."

Jo Barrett, Little Picket

Course outline

The program is made up of virtual webinars and self-paced learning as follows:

Preparing for the program (one week before workshop, approximately 3-4 hours)

• Participants will be provided with an onboarding session and pre-workshop videos and reading materials to assist in preparing for the program.
• Time commitment is approximately three to four hours.

Week 1: Workshop (start date 15 May 2025, approximately 4 hours)

• The program's main compulsory component is a half-day workshop covering the program concept. Participants will hear from CSIRO industry and research experts as well as relevant industry SMEs. Key topics include trends within your industry sector, a panel discussion with collaborating SMEs, and current funding opportunities for R&D.
• Time commitment is approximately 4 hours.

Week 2-8: Self-paced innovation program

• Participants will work through the online innovation program at their own pace, supported by a mentor and experienced innovation facilitators to develop and test their research idea and business case.
• Fortnightly webinars for participant networking and guest speakers.
• Time commitment is approximately 2-3 hours per week.

Program participants will be invited to an in-person meeting in the last week of the program in Perth CBD.

Key program benefits

• Personalised support to refine your idea: We'll step you through the process of turning your idea into a viable research project.
• Confidential feedback: All submissions through the program portal will receive prompt expert feedback.
• Mentor: You will be provided with a guide from CSIRO or a university to answer your questions about working on R&D projects and to help find an expert in the sector to introduce you to.
• Build your network: You will build key contacts in your sector, including researchers and other SMEs.

Who can apply

This program is open to eligible SMEs based and operating in Western Australia, working on innovative technologies or solutions in any of these sub-sectors:

• Meat and meat product manufacturing
• Agriculture and fishing support services
• Aquaculture
• Livestock
• Beverage manufacturing
• Food product manufacturing
• Alternative proteins
• Agritech
• Other

Selection criteria (essential):

• A business based and operating in Western Australia that is registered with an ABN and ACN/ICN
• A business classified as small to medium (less than 200 employees)
• A business currently, or in the early stages of, exploring R&D opportunities for their business and have an innovative idea to work on throughout the program

Please note: Businesses need to be registered and have their primary place of business within Western Australia (Australian subsidiary companies of foreign entities are not eligible). Researchers working at universities can apply as a mentor but not as a participant.

Other considerations:

• A strong alignment to the program objectives
• A clear desire to investigate doing a R&D project

Please note

CSIRO awards places to businesses based on the strength of their application, and a clear interest and capacity to pursue research and development. For further information please visit our FAQ's.

Program flyer

• Innovate to Grow: Agrifood WA PDF (711 KB)
• Innovate to Grow: Agrifood WA - accessible text TXT (3 KB)

Contact Innovate to Grow

Contact InnovateToGrow@csiro.au for assistance and more information.

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