Startup Programs for Researchers
Get ready to learn a new way of translating ideas to impact.
Impact Ready
Unlock the full potential of your research with Impact Ready. This program is designed to help researchers bridge the gap between academia and industry.
Over a period of 10 weeks, you will gain access to hands-on training, small-group coaching, and direct engagement with industry leaders. Impact Ready culminates in a showcase where you’ll pitch your research to potential collaborators and investors.
What you can expect to learn
- Connect with industry partners
- Explore which impact pathways are right for you
- Communicate your research for maximum impact
- Generate a set of assets to make external outreach efficient and effective
- Meet colleagues from different Schools and Colleges
- Better understand the support available across the University
- Access 1:1 support during and post-program
Who should attend
- PhD students
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Early and mid-career researchers
Frequency
The Impact Ready program happens twice each year.
Interested in attending?
Impact Ready will run again in 2026. Register your interest to know when.
I2N Pre-Accelerator
I2N Pre-Accelerator is designed to provide a guided experience to quickly and cost-effectively determine pathways to market for an idea, invention, or research project. Over the course of 8 weeks, teams will experience hands-on learning to validate a fit between a significant problem and their idea.
What you can expect to learn
- Learn new ways of understanding the world from the perspective of your customer or end-user
- Identify and validate your key assumptions with the support of an Entrepreneur in Residence and expert facilitators
- Confirm a pathway to market with a compelling value proposition and sustainable business model
Who should attend
- PhD students
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Early, mid-career and senior researchers
Frequency
The I2N Pre-Accelerator runs from May to June each year.
Interested in applying?
Applications are closed but you can submit an EOI for the next intake.
I2N Accelerators
The I2N Accelerator programs provide founders with hands-on experience and expert support to validate, build, and scale their ventures with our specialised streams (Cleantech, Healthtech, All-Industries). Through focused mentoring, workshops, and industry connections, we help turn innovative ideas into investment-ready businesses.
What you can expect to receive
- Methods of executing your validated pathway to first customer or pilot partner
- Be immersed in the startup ecosystem and benefit from peer-to-peer learning
- Expert workshops covering Milestones, Storytelling, Marketing & Branding, Product Strategy, Growth Hacking, GTM & Sales & Negotiation, Startup Financials, Capital Raising & Grants, Pitching, Leadership, Culture & Hiring
- A dedicated Entrepreneur in Residence
- Weekly mentoring sessions with a dedicated industry mentor
- Investor pitch nights and demo night to showcase your venture to the startup ecosystem
- Discounted tech platforms valued at over $400,000
Who should attend
- PhD students
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Early, mid-career and senior researchers
Frequency
The I2N Accelerator runs from August to November each year.
Interested in applying?
Applications are opening soon, submit your EOI.
CSIRO On Prime
ON Prime is a free program designed to help research teams of two to five people take their projects to the next level through customer discovery activities and more. We work with researchers at any stage of their project across all disciplines.
What you can expect to receive
- Attracting new funding sources
- Establishing new partnerships
- Increasing industry engagement
- Improving clarity around the impact and focus of their research
- Increasing confidence communicating their research
- Forming team bonds in a new project group
- Licensing IP or creating a new start-up venture
- Participating teams can receive up to $5000 to reward engagement and learning velocity in the program
- Teams have to meet minimum attendance requirements as well as showcase presentation to graduate from the program
Who should attend
- PhD students
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Early, mid-career researchers
Frequency
The CSIRO ON Prime program runs twice per year.
Interested in applying?
Applications are opening soon, submit your EOI.
CSIRO On Accelerate
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 focuses 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.
By taking part you will
- Equip, empower and energise your team to commercialise discoveries through spin-outs
- Develop entrepreneurial skills through engaging content, intensive coaching and peer-to-peer learning
- Identify and validate unresolved market problems and establish and connect with 'First Best Customer'
- Build and validate investment ready, innovative, sustainable and scalable business models
- Be introduced to venture funding opportunities to prepare you for success
Who should attend
- PhD students
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Early, mid-career and senior researchers
Frequency
The CSIRO ON Accelerate program occurs once from November.
Interested in applying?
Applications are opening soon, submit your EOI.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.