DEADLINE: ON Accelerate CSIRIO

ON Accelerate is a structured accelerator program for research teams to validate and develop high potential innovative ventures.

ON Accelerate is a free program that gives teams the skills and support to validate and develop a high potential innovative venture. ON Accelerate is designed to launch research-driven companies into market.

The program focusses on business models, market validation, capital raising and storytelling. We provide support and integration with venture capital partners to bring capital and next-step runway into a company.

All IP remains the property of the team or their sponsoring institute, all participants are required to sign non-disclosure agreements for IP protection.

What teams will get out of ON Accelerate

ON Accelerate will provide teams with knowledge and skills in the areas they need to develop their high potential innovative venture. The program will accelerate your teams’ capacity to create a disruptive, high-impact deep-tech venture.

This immersive, personalised and bespoke technology commercialisation acceleration program will:

1. Equip, empower and energise teams to commercialise discoveries through start-ups.
2. Develop entrepreneurial skills through engaging content, intensive coaching and peer-to-peer learning.
3. Assist teams with identifying and validating unresolved problems so they can establish and connect with ‘First Best Customer’ and partner with velocity.
4. Build and validate investment ready, innovative, sustainable and scalable business models.
5. Introduce teams to venture funding opportunities and prepare them to succeed.

Throughout the program, you will be connected to a network of experts and coaches who will support (and challenge) you. The domain coaches you may work with are specialists in the following areas:

• performance coaching
• IP
• finance and contract management
• investor relations
• media management
• team building.

By the end of ON Accelerate, teams should have:

• learned entrepreneurial skills to complement your strong technical expertise
• confirmed first best customers and potential industry partners
• developed a sustainable and scalable business model
• strengthened your networking, pitching and investor engagement skills
• developed a broader network of experts, investors and supporters.

Teams will also be able to access ongoing coaching post program for a duration of up to 6-months.

Our end goal is that teams that complete the full ON Accelerate program will be attractive for external funding. See also, ‘Incentive funding available for teams’ section below.

Incentive funding available for teams

In addition to funding the total cost of participation (valued at over $150,000**), the ON Accelerate program offers several grant payments of up $180,000 per team based on performance and to fast-track their market traction during and post-program.

This figure includes:

• $20,000 per team, provided to TTOs at the outset of the program to enable the engagement of specialist expertise to support and enhance the team during the program. This may include the cost of hiring an interim CEO, CFO, entrepreneur-in-residence or other key specialist who can fill an immediate gap in the team’s collective skillset. It can also be treated as a co-investment with the team’s organisation to provide specific materials or services needed to progress advancement.
• Up to $10,000 for goals achieved in-program.
• A portion of a $100,000 total pool to be shared across all teams who achieve stretch targets approved by the program facilitators (max. award of $50,000 per team).
• Up to $100,000 Runway Booster available per team, awarded post-completion based on commitment and performance during the program.
• Bespoke coaching with domain experts throughout the program, plus 6 months’ additional coaching post-program funded for teams who fully meet the participation requirements.

Grants are available to reimburse travel and accommodation costs for participants following attendance at in-person program sessions.

** Value estimated based on calculations made over the course of 2022-2023 and takes into account the projected program budget for 2023-2024.