Commercialisation pathways

Taking projects to market for real-world impact

Thinking about working with CSIRO?

With a 100-year history in successful translation of scientific breakthroughs, we've learned a lot about turning research into meaningful and impactful opportunities. It also means we have insights to share with you if you're thinking about collaborating with us.

At CSIRO we have teams dedicated to translating research and commercialising innovation.

They work together with collaborators to take ideas to impact. The revenue we generate from commercialising research is reinvested back into future science to create new products, services and technologies that make meaningful impact on people's lives.

We're working across key challenges in the national interest of Australia. We're always looking for new partners with ideas and opportunities to help achieve our goals in these areas, and to create as much widespread impact as possible.

We have pathways, programs and support for organisations of all sizes. From ventures for startup founders to join, to our Kick Start and Innovate to Grow programs for SMEs. We also offer accelerator and innovation funding.

Our Commercialisation Marketplaceshowcases current commercial opportunities, from licensing and joint ventures to partnership and investment opportunities in our projects.

Understanding Intellectual Property

Prioritising pathways

First off, it's important to understand the different ways of working with us from a commercialisation perspective.

We have different pathways to commercialisation at CSIRO, including licensing, collaborative ventures, selling IP and CSIRO spinouts.

Getting familiar with the pathways is a great place to start and will help when it comes to conversations with our commercialisation experts.

Quick reference guides

It's all in the preparation

There are some key things we'd love to talk about if you're keen to look at commercialisation opportunities with us.

The project – What is the value proposition, is there a full product plan or roadmap with detail around technical development, market validation, and impact?

Market analysis – Has there been a competitive review that looked at market trends, size, gaps, customer segments and key success factors? 

Intellectual Property – Think about the IP and ownership, IP protection and status, freedom to operate and licensing opportunities.

Commercialisation plan – What are the suitable commercialisation options, partners, execution plan, commercialisation marketplace, business and financial model? 

Project team – Who do you have, what are their roles, and who do you need, including advisors and mentors?

Relationships are a big deal

Our business development and commercialisation teams work across all CSIRO research portfolios. Working with our scientists and researchers, as well as government and industry partners, these teams support new opportunities and help to structure and manage collaboration projects.

While every collaboration is different, Jim Henderson, Partnerships and Business Development Director, reflects on a key component of successful projects.

"We run a wide variety of programs and projects through CSIRO, but developing trust in the partnership is a universal step to better outcomes. When teams actively work on collaborative relationships, we can navigate the complexities of research or commercialisation projects more effectively."

Being well prepared for a conversation with us is a great way to get the relationship off to a good start. As well as preparing for the questions above, it's a good idea to think about some of the more challenging elements of commercialisation.

Understand the risks and challenges

By understanding and addressing these risks and challenges, we can better prepare for the commercialisation journey and increase the likelihood of success:

Clear contracts and early discussions about IP are essential to avoid delays.

Commercialisation often requires adherence to various regulatory standards and compliance requirements, which can vary by industry and region. Ensuring the project meets these standards is crucial to avoid legal issues and market entry delays.

Conduct thorough market research and engage with our market experts to validate your commercial strategy.

Securing adequate funding for the commercialisation process can be challenging. It involves not only initial investment but also ongoing financial support to scale the project. Budgeting and strong financial management are critical to ensure that the project remains viable.

Translating research outcomes into commercially viable products requires ensuring technical feasibility. There may be unforeseen technical challenges that need to be addressed, which can delay commercialisation. Regular technical reviews and feasibility assessments can help mitigate this risk.

Effective management of partnerships and collaborations is essential for commercialisation success. Establishing clear roles, responsibilities, and communication channels from the outset will really help.