CSIRO invests $20 million towards SME innovation

CSIRO has announced a $20 million investment to provide small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with greater access to vital research and development (R&D) opportunities to accelerate their growth.

The funding will allow CSIRO’s SME Connect team to support up to 750 SMEs through a range of programs and initiatives that provide facilitation, training, dollar-matched funding and support to startups and SMEs seeking to engage in company-led research projects.

Goterra, a food waste management system that uses insects to process food waste, is one example of the alumni from CSIRO’s SME Connect programs.

“CSIRO’s Kick-Start program connected us with leading scientists who not only provided world-class research capabilities to some of our most complex problems but were also pivotal in supporting our exploration of business opportunities, alternative technological advancements and industry connections,” said Olympia Yarger, Founder of Goterra.

To find out more, visit www.csiro.au/sme.

Image credit: iStock.com/shironosov