India Australia RISE Accelerator

The India Australia Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) Accelerator is purpose-built to help Indian and Australian startups with mature cutting-edge technology fast-track their cross-border impact.

RISE Accelerator is delivered through a powerful partnership between:

• CSIRO
• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, the Government of India's flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.

About the program

The RISE Accelerator provides support to startups, micro, and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who are working on innovative technology and are considering overseas expansion between India and Australia.

The program is designed to support startups and SMEs that are addressing shared national and global challenges, with a focus on environment and climate technologies and solutions.

The program is tailored to support startups and SMEs working on a range of areas such as:

• waste and circular economy (Round 1)
• climate smart agritech (Round 2)
• climate smart mobility and transport (launches 2025)
• clean energy.

There is no charge to participate in the RISE Accelerator program.

What you'll get out of the program

Participating in the RISE Accelerator will help you amplify chances of success in India and Australia. Startups and SMEs will be able to:

• gain valuable market, cultural and regulatory insight
• fast track connections to the right partners and customers. We will connect you with people who will help you on your journey, including on-the-ground mentors, funders, suppliers, distributors, regulators and researchers
• grow and scale technology and research overseas
• pilot, adapt and validate technology for a new market
• visibility of joint-innovation funds, grants and investors in each region.

Who should participate in the program

The program is open to startups and SMEs in India and Australia with mature innovative technology, typically with a high technology readiness level (e.g. pilot system developed, or actual system proven through successful operations), who are interested in expanding into the alternate market.

Startups and SMEs with a lower technology readiness level will be considered if they have clear potential to rapidly advance through expansion into India or Australia.

Visit the RISE Accelerator website for full eligibility criteria and to see if your business is suitable for the program.

How the program is delivered

The RISE Accelerator delivers a comprehensive learning program made up of online self-paced material, virtual and in-person sessions.

In each new round, competitively selected startups and SMEs participate in a range of cross-border activities to increase their readiness for a new market.

Over the course of nine months, you will embark on two key phases: Discovery and Pilot phase, spanning India and Australia.

Benefit from the expertise and support of our bilateral delivery team, including facilitators and subject matter experts for one-to-one guidance and B2B facilitation.

Expect to invest about six hours per week into the program, comprising live sessions, self-paced learning, and engaging with experts. Additional time commitment will be required for in-person travel experiences, including Immersion Weeks and a Showcase event.

How to apply

To apply for the RISE Accelerator, you must meet the program  eligibility criteria.

You will need to complete an online application and provide us with information about your startup or SME.

To be notified of upcoming rounds, program updates and news, subscribe to our mailing list.

The India Australia Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) Accelerator is purpose-built to help Indian and Australian startups with mature cutting-edge technology fast-track their cross-border impact.

RISE Accelerator is delivered through a powerful partnership between:

• CSIRO
• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, the Government of India's flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.

About the program

The RISE Accelerator provides support to startups, micro, and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who are working on innovative technology and are considering overseas expansion between India and Australia.

The program is designed to support startups and SMEs that are addressing shared national and global challenges, with a focus on environment and climate technologies and solutions.

The program is tailored to support startups and SMEs working on a range of areas such as:

• waste and circular economy (Round 1)
• climate smart agritech (Round 2)
• climate smart mobility and transport (launches 2025)
• clean energy.

There is no charge to participate in the RISE Accelerator program.

What you'll get out of the program

Participating in the RISE Accelerator will help you amplify chances of success in India and Australia. Startups and SMEs will be able to:

• gain valuable market, cultural and regulatory insight
• fast track connections to the right partners and customers. We will connect you with people who will help you on your journey, including on-the-ground mentors, funders, suppliers, distributors, regulators and researchers
• grow and scale technology and research overseas
• pilot, adapt and validate technology for a new market
• visibility of joint-innovation funds, grants and investors in each region.

Who should participate in the program

The program is open to startups and SMEs in India and Australia with mature innovative technology, typically with a high technology readiness level (e.g. pilot system developed, or actual system proven through successful operations), who are interested in expanding into the alternate market.

Startups and SMEs with a lower technology readiness level will be considered if they have clear potential to rapidly advance through expansion into India or Australia.

Visit the RISE Accelerator website for full eligibility criteria and to see if your business is suitable for the program.

How the program is delivered

The RISE Accelerator delivers a comprehensive learning program made up of online self-paced material, virtual and in-person sessions.

In each new round, competitively selected startups and SMEs participate in a range of cross-border activities to increase their readiness for a new market.

Over the course of nine months, you will embark on two key phases: Discovery and Pilot phase, spanning India and Australia.

Benefit from the expertise and support of our bilateral delivery team, including facilitators and subject matter experts for one-to-one guidance and B2B facilitation.

Expect to invest about six hours per week into the program, comprising live sessions, self-paced learning, and engaging with experts. Additional time commitment will be required for in-person travel experiences, including Immersion Weeks and a Showcase event.

A linear overview of the different phases and key activities of the RISE Accelerator program. 

 

Infographic title: the RISE Accelerator program journey 

 

Beneath the title, there is a blue bar with the word Months followed by the numbers 0 to 9. The numbers are positioned on a colour gradient that runs from a light shade of blue to a darker shade of blue, indicating a progression to cross-border readiness. 

 

Beneath the blue bar, reading left to right: 

 

There is a grey block that contains the words Application and Selection. 

 

To the right of the grey block is a light blue box entitled Discovery phase. The box sits below Months 0 to 4.5. 

 

The Discovery phase box contains the words: Online and in-person learning to build cross-border capabilities 

 

Beneath the Discovery phase box is a light blue circle that contains the words Immersion week (Australia). Directly below the circle is the word in-person. The circle is positioned between months 1 and 2. 

 

Alongside the blue circle is a clear circle that contains the words Market Entry Plan. The circle is positioned between months 2 and 3. 

 

Alongside the clear circle is a light blue circle that contains the words Immersion week (India). Directly below the circle is the word in-person. The circle is positioned between months 3 and 4. 

 

Alongside the blue circle is a clear circle that contains the words Pilot Plan. The circle is positioned between months 4 and 5. 

 

To the right of the light blue Discovery phase box, is a dark blue box entitled Pilot phase, which sits below Months 4.5 to 9.  

 

The Pilot phase box contains the words: Pilot your solutions and gain practical experience with industry partners in the target market. 

 

To the right of the Pilot phase box is a grey box entitled Alumni, followed by the words Ongoing communication, alumni events. The box sits below Months 9 and the words Cross-border readiness in the gradient bar. 

 

Beneath the Pilot phase and Alumni Phase, is a dark blue circle containing the word Showcase. The circle is positioned below Month 9. 

 

At the bottom of the infographic, running from Months 0 to 9 is the wording: EXPERT COACHING AND B2B FACILITATION 

Show image description

How to apply

To apply for the RISE Accelerator, you must meet the program  eligibility criteria.

You will need to complete an online application and provide us with information about your startup or SME.

To be notified of upcoming rounds, program updates and news, subscribe to our mailing list.

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