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Helping SMEs become more competitive and productive

We support small and medium sized businesses across many sectors to pursue their research and development projects in collaboration with Australia's world-class research sector.

Learn more about some of the SMEs we have worked with below.

 

Gain a competitive advantage through innovation

Lowes TC

We linked Australian company Lowes TC with researchers from the University of Technology Sydney to design a ground-breaking new tissue culture (TC) system prototype to bring stronger, disease-resistant plant varieties to growers sooner.

Steber International

CSIRO SME Connect helped Steber International to successfully evaluate and test its hybrid diesel/electric boat.

Provectus Algae

Provectus Algae sought to validate and develop a system to reliably and efficiently engineer algae as a host to produce a range of specialty molecules that could be used for commercial applications.

Collaborative innovation projects with researchers

University of Newcastle

Over the last eight years, the University of Newcastle has partnered with 117 small and medium businesses (SMEs) to deliver 167 projects through CSIRO SME Connect, making them our number one university in Australia for SME collaboration.

University of Technology Sydney

Through SME Connect, the University of Technology Sydney has partnered with 84 different small or medium businesses on 126 projects, delivering outcomes from faster crop cloning to a more sustainable pint.

The University of Queensland

SME Connect has enjoyed a long history of working with The University of Queensland to support Australian SMEs, delivering 121 research projects together over the past nine years.

Deakin University

Deakin University has undertaken 82 SME Connect projects with small and medium businesses, helping develop and commercialise a diverse range of new products and services.