Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, has opened its Innovate to Grow program to small to medium enterprises (SMEs) hoping to advance their innovative ideas in food innovation and technology.
Led by experienced researchers, the program 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.
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," Dr 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.
Mr 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," Mr Poke said.
"It also provided me with lots of practical experiences of other (SMEs) that I learned from."
Innovate to Grow: Food Innovation is open to SMEs working in the following sub-sectors:
- Beverage manufacturing
- Food production
- Traditional and complimentary proteins
- Bio-manufacturing including precision fermentation
- Sustainable processing
- Value-adding processes
- Other
Applications close on 25 August 2024.
Learn more and apply for the Innovate to Grow: Food Innovation program or discover more programs for SMEs.
