CSIRO initiative to help SMEs develop food & beverage ideas

CSIRO’s free 10-week online learning program — Innovate to Grow — is now open for applications from small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Led by experienced researchers, the program is designed to help SMEs access the knowledge and tools needed to progress their ideas in food innovation and technology. It will help participants examine technical and business challenges, explore research and development (R&D) opportunities and develop actionable business and funding plans for their R&D idea.

The program will help participants:

• refine innovation idea and transform it into an R&D opportunity
• access tools and information for an understanding of R&D collaboration and key considerations at each step
• apply this knowledge to advance their technology or R&D concept
• gain industry insights, hear from experts, researchers and mentors
• collaborate with like-minded SMEs and expand your professional network.

CSIRO’s Agriculture and Food Deputy Director Impact, Dr Michelle Colgrave, said SMEs are key to Australia continuing to grow its reputation as a global leader in food technology.

“We can combine innovations in fermentation with ‘customer driven’ preferences to deliver reduced sugar beverages, or no- and low-alcohol wines,” Colgrave said.

“To match our growing population, changing climates and evolving consumer preferences, there’s an increasing need to diversify and develop new food and beverages that will be sustainable into the future.

“We are well positioned to do that in Australia with our access to the latest technologies and brightest minds.

“SMEs will be an important part of that, driving innovation right along the supply chain while delivering sustainable outcomes for the future of our food manufacturing.”

Since launching in 2020, Innovate to Grow has helped more than 600 early-stage R&D companies access the knowledge and tools required to progress their ideas.

Joshua Poke, from the Tasmanian Oyster Company, participated in the Innovate to Grow program in 2021.

“Innovate to Grow really focused me on what I needed to concentrate on for growing our business in the next 12 months,” Poke said.

“It also provided me with lots of practical experiences of other (SMEs) that I learned from.”

Who can apply?

Innovate to Grow: Food Innovation is open to SMEs working in the following sub-sectors:

• Beverage manufacturing
• Food production
• Traditional and complementary proteins
• Bio-manufacturing including precision fermentation
• Sustainable processing
• Value-adding processes
• Other.

Applications close on 25 August 2024. To find out more, click here.

Image credit: iStock.com/mediaphotos