Program Overview
The RISE Accelerator delivers a comprehensive learning curriculum made up of both online self-paced and in-person sessions.
Through the program, you will benefit from the expertise and support of our delivery teams spanning India and Australia, including facilitators and subject matter experts for one-to-one guidance and B2B facilitation.
At a glance:
- Program is split into two phases: discovery phase and pilot phase
- Discovery phase: e-learning and funded in-person travel within Australia and India
- Pilot phase: test and or demonstrate your technology or solution in your target market (for selected companies from the Discovery Phase)
- Coaching and connections: dedicated facilitators and subject matter experts guide startups’ and SMEs’ cross-border planning and activities, and provide network connections
- Participating organisations may be eligible for grants of up to A$135,000 (for Australian organisations – Round 3).
[Music plays and an image appears of an information banner for the “India + Australia RISE Accelerator” program, and images move through to show views of presenters talking to an audience. The presenters are seated with a large screen and uncovered windows behind them, they are in a large room with people seated at groups of tables.]
[Image changes to show Fionna Millikan talking to the camera, and text appears: Fionna Millikan, Green Gravity, RISE Accelerator Participant. Fionna has shoulder length blonde hair tucked behind one ear and is wearing a long sleeved dark blouse or dress with white polka dots and a silver pendant style necklace. Behind her to the left is a potted plant, to the right is a RISE Accelerator sign]
Fionna Millikan: We are thrilled to be part of the Rise Accelerator program. This is a real opportunity to accelerate our market entry into India.
[Images move through to show Fionna wearing a black and white printed long sleeve shirt and black pants presenting to an audience in the previously mentioned room, views of Fionna talking into a microphone, a male taking notes beside a listening female, and then Fionna talking to the camera]
We have participated in other programs before, but none that have actually included a full immersion week in India, talking to companies and really activating our bespoke entry plan.
[Image changes to show Clayton Franklin talking to the camera, and text appears: Clayton Franklin, Electric Power Conversions Australia, RISE Accelerator Participant. Clayton is a clean shaven man with dark hair, wearing a white collared shirt underneath a black zip up jacket with an EPCA logo embroidered on the chest. Behind him to the left is a potted plant, to the right is a RISE Accelerator sign]
Clayton Franklin: I’d certainly recommend the Rise Accelerator to other companies.
[Image changes to show Asheesh Malaney, a man in a cream jacket and dark shirt and pants reading from a sheet of paper with the previous presenters sitting to the left of him on screen. Behind them is a large screen, a pull up banner and wood paneling with dark curtains above it]
I think that’s for a number of reasons. One is the expertise that you get.
[Images move through to show a male in a medium coloured suit and glasses presenting to an audience, Clayton listening while seated in an audience, and then the audience listening as the camera pans left]
You will get an exposure to a market which may be very difficult to break into, this is all about the Indian market.
[Image changes to show Clayton talking to the camera, and then the image changes to show a close view of Clayton presenting to an audience in front of the RISE pull up banner]
We’ve had a lot of enquiries from India but we don’t know really how to treat them.
[Image changes to show a wide view of Clayton presenting to an audience]
We don’t really understand the companies, we don’t understand doing business in India.
[Image changes to show Clayton talking into a microphone]
So we get all that information and it can assist you to get into that.
[Image changes to show Dr Jehan Kanga talking to the camera, and text appears: Dr Jehan Kanga, Rux Energy, RISE Accelerator Participant. Jehan has greying hair that is pulled back off his face, dark heavy rimmed glasses and is wearing a pair of black overalls over a cream zip up jumper and a cream t-shirt. Behind him to the left is a potted plant, to the right is a RISE Accelerator sign]
Dr Jehan Kanga: We applied to the Rise Accelerator because India is a really important strategic partner for us.
[Images move through to show a male with light hair wearing a navy polo and black pants and holding a flexible solar panel as he presents to an audience, Asheesh Maloney in a white long sleeved shirt and tie talking into a microphone, a female with short grey hair, dark rimmed glasses, a green jacket, grey dress and coordinating neck scarf using a laptop beside a male with dark hair, greying facial hair and dark glasses, wearing a dark suit and black shirt and pants talking in front of the RISE pull up banner, and a long shot of a female in a dark top or jacket presenting to the room from behind a lectern]
As an advanced manufacturer India and Australia can work really closely together on on getting products that are cost competitive to market and to be able to service both our European clients but also our clients across Asia.
[Image changes to show Aishwarya Kansakar talking to the camera as text appears: Aishwarya Kansakar, Syncrowin, RISE Accelerator Participant. Aishwarya has dark hair worn long, a white turtleneck under a dark brown coat or jacket and a pendant with the letter A around her neck. The image changes to show a panel of the three presenters previously shown talking to an audience with the view from behind as the camera pans right]
Aishwarya Kansakar: I would recommend the Rise Accelerator program because the EIRs or the entrepreneurs in residence are experts in their field.
[Images move through to show Asheesh wearing a light coloured jacket over a dark shirt and pants as he talks into a microphone, Aishwarya and other audience members listening, views of different males talking into a microphone, and then returns Aishwarya talking to the camera]
They have lived and worked in both India and Australia, so they can definitely give us participants insights about geopolitics, linguistics, cultural nature of the market which you wouldn’t get otherwise. So you get it direct from the source.
[Music plays as image changes to show a white screen with the NITI Aayog, Atal Innovation Mission and CSIRO logos above text: India + Australia RISE Accelerator, Rapid innovation Startup Expansion]
RISE participants speak about the benefits of the program
What you’ll get out of the program
Open allClose allThe learning curriculum will help you navigate early steps in a new region, validate and adapt technology and research overseas, fast-track connections to the right partners, customers and talent, and build credibility to succeed in international markets. We’ll also explore a theme-specific curriculum.
Most of the learning elements of the program will be delivered virtually, with key in-person experiences to meet cohort peers and immersive learning. One representative will be funded to participate in three in-person experiences across the nine months – twice within your home country, and once to your target market.
We’ll support you to validate, adapt and scale your technologies overseas. We’ll help you understand how to develop and protect your IP across borders.
We’ll support you to broker pilot collaborations with established businesses or institutions in your target market to provide you with testing and demonstration opportunities.
We’ll connect you with potential end customers, providing opportunities for them to be involved in pilots and testing processes.
The program promotes investment opportunities, supporting due diligence and identifying high-potential startups for investment. Program participation enhances credibility and offer investors full transparency.
You will have a dedicated expert-in-residence to provide tailored and practical support. You’ll also have access to a pool of experienced subject matter experts from across regulatory, technical and industry fields.
At the end of the program, we will continue to foster ongoing connections between cohorts, mentors, investors and industry experts through.
What time commitment is needed
You will need to allocate around 2-3 hours each week. This includes time spent participating in live curriculum activities, self-paced learning and engaging with experts. There will be an additional time commitment for in-person travel experiences and Pilot Phase activities.
A typical week may include:
- practical sessions
- offline work and preparing plans and documents
- one-to-one mentoring with your dedicated expert-in-residence or subject matter experts
- informal check-in and collaboration.
Program phases
Open allClose all- Applications reviewed by panel of experts in challenge areas and each country
- Startups selected and onboarding commences
The Discovery Phase comprises online and in-person curriculum learning that is aligned to cross-border readiness and theme-specific learnings. It will be delivered in a sprint format and feature the following activities:
- learning modules to support overseas expansion, including cross-border trade and operations navigation, technology validation and adaptation, connections and networks and credibility building
- guest speakers, including entrepreneurs and investors, industry representatives and other trade-related experts
- support to plan market entry and pilot activities in the target market
- regular access to a dedicated Expert-in-Residence and Domain Experts from both India and Australia
- domestic and international travel and in-person experiences
- introductions and support brokering relationships with potential Pilot Phase partners, including global corporations, research institutes, local industry and others
- introductions to investors and the broader investment community
- in-person/virtual showcasing and networking opportunities
- support to execute Pilot Phase activities in the target market.
The Pilot Phase is based on the curriculum learning, mentoring and coaching, and the planning documents developed in the Discovery Phase.
Successfully selected companies from the Discovery Phase will determine Pilot Phase activities that will best support their target market entry. The activities will be defined in consultation with the Expert-in-Residence and Domain Experts and be based on the Organisation’s situation, technology and readiness. They may include:
- Matching with a cross-border industry partner to test and pilot your technology or solution.
- In-country market research to further your understanding of the international market for your technology or product.
- Undertaking research and development with a research organisation either in their home country or target market.
Prior to the Pilot Phase, Organisations will be provided with opportunities for in-person or virtual showcasing and networking to help identify a suitable pilot partner, as well as assistance to develop market entry and Pilot Phase plans and budgets.
How to apply
To apply to participate in the RISE Accelerator you must meet the full program eligibility criteria.
You will need to complete an online application and provide us with information about your startup or SME when a new round is open for application.
You can also read our list of frequently asked questions for answers to any questions you may have about the Program.
Subscribe to our mailing list for updates on future rounds.
Still have questions?
If you have queries about the program you can: