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Eleven of Australia’s deep tech startups have completed their three-month journey as part of the CSIRO’s structured accelerator program, with the latest cohort securing more than $33.8 million in grant funding and capital investment.
The accelerator - which this year featured innovative startups spanning sectors like medtech, clean energy, materials science and diagnostics - offers entrepreneurial researchers the tools, resources, industry experts and investors needed to help translate innovative technology into commercial successes in Australia and beyond.
Two teams from this year’s cohort, biotech Elemental Therapeutics and pharmaceutical manufacturing startup TopiCure, have received 2025 Australian Economic Accelerator (AEA) Ignite Grants, securing $480,390 and $499,398 respectively.
Affiliated with the University of Melbourne, Elemental Therapeutics has confirmed that it will use the funding to continue developing its antibiotic-boosting technology and bring it one step closer to being available for treating pneumonia.
Elemental Therapeutics co-founder Ella Casale was also awarded the CSIRO ON Impactful Leadership Award for her exceptional program performance, receiving $10,000 to support ongoing professional development in innovation.
Meanwhile, RMIT University’s TopiCure is using the funds to continue developing new gel-based treatments that help medicines absorb through the skin more effectively, with fewer side effects and easier use for patients.
“We’re incredibly proud to support the next wave of Australian researchers endeavouring to solve society’s most critical challenges,” CSIRO's executive director of future industries 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.”
From Edith Cowan University, I-VADE aims to address rising violence in healthcare with an innovative VR-based aggression de-escalation training solution.
The startup secured a further $499,660 in innovation funding from the Future Health Research & Innovation Fund (Department of Health WA), with I-VADE founder Dr Brennan Mills also announced as the ON Accelerate 9 recipient of the 2025 Stanford Australia Foundation Hawkins Ueland & CSIRO ON scholarship.
The scholarship offers an ON Accelerate alum the opportunity to participate in the Executive Education Program at Stanford Graduate School of Business.
“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,” Stanford Australia Foundation spokesperson Roisin Ryan said.
“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.”
This year’s cohort joined the ranks of alumni who have collectively created 81 new companies and secured more than $360 million in commercialisation grants.
Highlights from the Accelerate 9 cohort’s achievements include:
- 3DCeraFlex: Secured multiple pilot studies across the aerospace, defence, and biomedical sectors, demonstrating the versatility and demand for its advanced ceramic 3D printing technology. The company is also actively engaging with a growing base of customers seeking high-performance ceramic solutions for extreme environments and precision applications.
- Ability Optics: Is progressing two breakthrough technologies into the national phase across key international markets. The team is collaborating with one of the world’s leading drug-imaging instrument manufacturers to integrate their innovation into a global sales offering and is actively engaging with multiple prospective customers.
- Amorfoil: Pivoted towards addressing a critical industry need for amorphous electrical steel foils that boost efficiency in EV motors, transformers, and charging systems. Through ON Accelerate, the team accessed expert support in commercialisation, IP, and strategic partnerships.
- Elemental Therapeutics: Secured over $3M in non-dilutive funding to date, including investment from CARB-X, the gold standard in antibiotic drug development, and more recently a 2025 Australian Economic Accelerator (AEA) Ignite Grant ($480,390). The team will use the funding to expand its preclinical development and move its innovative antibiotic-enhancing technology for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia from the lab towards market readiness. Elemental Therapeutics were also one of ten teams selected to showcase their work on an international stage at the 9th AMR Conference Startup Pitch Competition in Switzerland.
- Enhanced Analgesics: Lodged a patent for their technology addressing chronic pain through a non-opioid drug providing 24-48 hours of effective pain relief.
- Epiblox: Secured a strategic partnership with a major pharmaceutical company, refining its R&D roadmap; the team also focused on building the right capabilities to scale. Now attracting strong interest from early-stage venture capital, Epiblox is seeking funding to advance a breakthrough treatment for children living with treatment-resistant epilepsy.
- Facet Amtech: Successfully spun out of the University of Newcastle, the team has lodged a patent for their innovative direct-water-to-ammonia technology, positioning them at the forefront of the transition to low-cost, clean ammonia production. They have also been selected for the Investment NSW Going Global Program, focused on expanding cleantech solutions into Malaysia and Singapore, as well as CSIRO’s Kick-Start Program and the Industry Growth Program to accelerate product development and commercial adoption.
- I-VADE: Accepted into the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, the team also secured a further $499,660 in innovation funding from the Future Health Research & Innovation Fund (Department of Health WA) to enhance their AI-integrated, virtual reality enhanced aggression and violence de-escalation training program and scale their solution to improve outcomes for both healthcare staff and patients.
- ProSeek Bio: The team has secured intellectual property rights and is advancing the development and industry adoption of its next-generation diagnostic technology — aiming to transform the early detection and global diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
- TopiCure: Awarded a 2025 Australian Economic Accelerator (AEA) Ignite Grant of $499,398, the team is advancing the development of innovative gel-based formulations designed to enhance transdermal delivery of active compounds — reducing side effects and improving patient compliance.
- Viortec: Engaged with investors, customers and industry leaders to accelerate their development pipeline and finalise the commercialisation timeline of its first product, the SmartClamp.
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