Australia’s latest deep tech innovators achieve $33.8m in funding milestones

Australia’s national science agency CSIRO has spotlighted a fresh crop of deep tech innovators as part of its ON Accelerate 9 showcase, held in Melbourne this week.

The program, which kicked off in April, supports research teams tackling some of the country’s most pressing challenges by helping transform breakthrough science into real-world solutions. Over the past three months, the 11 participating teams have made significant progress, collectively securing more than $33.8 million in grants and investment.

Their projects span critical sectors including health, drug development, sustainable manufacturing and energy. Each of the teams achieved technology validation during the program, marking a key milestone on the path from lab bench to market.

Dr Jen Taylor, Executive Director of Future Industries at CSIRO, said the cohort represents the kind of innovation Australia needs to support its future industries.

“We’re incredibly proud to support the next wave of Australian researchers endeavouring to solve society’s most critical challenges,” Dr Taylor said.

“Establishing connections with the broader innovation ecosystem, including mentors, investors and customers, is crucial for success, yet no easy feat, and continues to be a key barrier impacting Australian research translation.

“We’re committed to breaking down these barriers and unlocking pathways for success, ensuring this cohort continues on its impressive growth trajectory to boost Australia’s global research competitiveness and contribute to future economic growth.”

The ON Accelerate program provides personalised coaching, entrepreneurial and commercialisation training, and direct support for investor and customer engagement. It is designed to give research teams the business skills and strategic support often missing in early-stage scientific ventures.

Among this year’s standout teams was Elemental Therapeutics, a University of Melbourne spinout developing an antibiotic-enhancing treatment for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. The team has secured over $3 million in non-dilutive funding including a 2025 Australian Economic Accelerator Ignite Grant and investment from CARB-X, a global accelerator for antibiotic innovation.

Another team, I-VADE from Edith Cowan University, is creating a virtual reality training tool to help healthcare workers de-escalate aggression and violence. They were awarded nearly half a million dollars from the WA Department of Health and were accepted into the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub.

Dr Brennan Mills from I-VADE was also announced as the 2025 recipient of the Stanford Australia Foundation Hawkins Ueland and CSIRO ON scholarship.

“The Stanford Australia Foundation’s Hawkins Ueland & CSIRO ON scholarship will play an integral role in supporting Dr Brennan Mills from I-VADE, to continue his innovation pathway,” said Stanford Australia Foundation spokesperson Roisin Ryan. “The award will help deepen I-VADE’s commercialisation capabilities to translate a breakthrough idea to an indispensable solution for those working in the healthcare industry.”

Elemental Therapeutics’ Ella Casale was awarded the CSIRO ON Impactful Leadership Award, which comes with $10,000 for professional development.

Other achievements from the cohort include:

• 3DCeraFlex secured pilot studies in aerospace, defence and biomedical sectors for its high-performance ceramic 3D printing technology
• Amorfoil pivoted toward developing amorphous electrical steel foils for EV motors and charging systems
• Epiblox formed a strategic partnership with a pharmaceutical company and is seeking funding to advance its epilepsy treatment for children
• Facet Amtech lodged a patent for clean ammonia production and was selected for Investment NSW’s Going Global Program
• ProSeek Bio is advancing IP and commercial uptake of an early diagnostic tool for ovarian cancer
• Viortec is finalising its commercialisation plan for the SmartClamp device after securing strong investor and industry engagement
• Enhanced Analgesics lodged a patent for its non-opioid chronic pain drug offering 24 to 48 hours of relief
• TopiCure was awarded nearly $500,000 to support gel-based drug delivery formulations improving patient compliance
• Ability Optics is preparing to enter international markets with its drug-imaging innovations and is working with a leading manufacturer to integrate its tech into global sales offerings

Each team now joins the ON alumni network, which includes 83 startups that have raised more than $415 million in capital and secured $336 million in commercialisation grants.

With Australia’s deep tech sector still facing significant hurdles in moving research out of the lab, programs like ON Accelerate continue to offer a critical platform for turning scientific potential into commercial and social impact.

Meet the teams turning cutting-edge Australian research into real-world impact. 

Applications to participate in ON Accelerate are currently closed and will re-open mid 2025.

• Take your research-powered venture to market. Join the next ON Accelerate intake, expressions of interest now open.
• If you have questions about ON Accelerate, please contact via email: on@csiro.au

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