In an exclusive interview with Australian Manufacturing, Tamara Ogilvie, CSIRO’s RISE Accelerator Program Director, sheds light on the India Australia Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) Accelerator.
The said initiative is designed to support startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) from Australia and India working on innovative environmental and climate technologies.
Program Overview
The India Australia Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) Accelerator is designed to assist startups and SMEs working on groundbreaking environment and climate technologies, especially those looking to expand into new markets.
This initiative is a collaboration between Australia’s CSIRO, the national science agency, and India’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), a government program aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
Ogilvie emphasised the importance of global collaboration in addressing significant challenges, highlighting the mutual benefits gained from the partnership between CSIRO and AIM.
“Our partnership with the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), is exposing both CSIRO and our program participants to exciting activities and stakeholders in India,” she noted.
Key benefits for participants
One of the primary advantages of the RISE Accelerator is its ability to support startups and SMEs in overcoming the challenges of entering foreign markets.
According to Ogilvie, these challenges include navigating complex regulations, understanding cultural differences, and building local networks—tasks that can be daunting for smaller companies with limited resources.
She noted that the program aims to help participants use their resources strategically for market expansion. By offering targeted in-country introductions and connections, the program provides businesses with essential networking opportunities.
Additionally, participants receive personalised coaching and mentorship from industry professionals to help them scale their technology in international markets.
Success stories and impact
Although the first round of the RISE Accelerator is still in progress, the program has already shown significant promise, Ogilvie revealed.
Companies participating in the circular economy round are currently in the process of securing and establishing pilots with their first customers or partners.
For instance, Newera Bio, a startup specialising in natural dyeing, has partnered with AIC-NIFT TEA, a major incubation centre in India focused on textiles.
This collaboration has enabled Newera Bio to refine and test their bio-based dyes on medium-scale dyeing machines, contributing to the development of a sustainable solution for textile mills.
Another success story involves Sustainable Oil Recovery and Remediation (SORR) and Circular Seed, two companies offering complementary waste and pollution solutions.
During an immersion week in India, the founders of these companies worked together to explore market entry and expansion strategies in Goa’s coastal region.
“It’s all gritty, detailed stuff that truly benefits from site visits, first-hand demonstrations and in-country connections! And is the sort of work required when growing deep tech businesses in a new market,” Ogilvie remarked.
Focus on climate and environmental innovation
Ogilvie stressed that the RISE Accelerator selects startups that are pioneering solutions to some of the world’s most pressing climate and environmental challenges.
She noted, “Each round selects and supports a new cohort of startups that are pioneering solutions related to our changing climate and environmental risks – from the circular economy opportunity to agriculture and mobility.”
Current trends in Agritech
This year, the program is particularly interested in agritech solutions that address challenges related to climate variability and agricultural resilience in both India and Australia.
Ogilvie mentioned that while the challenges in these two countries differ, the goal is to find innovative solutions that can be adapted to each unique context.
These solutions should focus on improving on-farm practices, increasing agricultural yield, and managing resources more effectively.
Advice for applicants
For startups and SMEs considering applying to the program, Ogilvie advised that a clear understanding of the value their technology offers to the target market is essential.
She said that applicants should have a vision of their target customer and the benefits their product or service provides, even if these ideas evolve during the program.
Upcoming information session
Businesses interested in learning more about the RISE Accelerator can join a live information session scheduled today at 3:30 PM.
This free online event will provide an opportunity for participants to learn about the program and ask questions directly to the RISE team.
To register, visit the India-Aust RISE Accelerator Online Info and Q&A Session page.
