Who qualifies?
Kick-Start is available to Australian startups and SMEs that: have an ABN, have been operating for less than 5 years (or are early-stage), and have a genuine technical or scientific challenge that CSIRO can help address.
You need to contribute at least $10,000 (which can include in-kind contributions), and CSIRO matches this up to $50,000 total ($25,000 from you, $25,000 from CSIRO).
What does it fund?
The program funds a specific research project conducted with CSIRO scientists — typically 6–12 months of collaboration. This could involve materials testing, prototype development, algorithm research, environmental assessment, or any area where CSIRO has relevant expertise.
At the end, you retain IP rights to the commercial outputs of the collaboration.
Common Questions
Do I need to be in a tech sector?
No — CSIRO covers agriculture, food, environment, manufacturing, digital, health, and many other areas. If your challenge has a scientific or technical dimension, there's likely relevant expertise.
Who owns the IP from the collaboration?
Generally you do — the program is designed so businesses retain commercial IP rights from the research.
Program details change — always verify current eligibility criteria and application requirements on the official government website before applying.
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