This program is currently paused to new applications.
About the program
Innovative SMEs and startups play a crucial role in the economy but many have difficulty bringing their ideas to market. The Industry Growth Program supports early-stage businesses in their most challenging development phase.
The program supports innovative SMEs undertaking commercialisation or growth projects that will build Australian capabilities in priority areas for the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF):
- renewables and low emissions technologies
- medical science
- transport
- value-add in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors
- value-add in resources
- defence capability
- enabling capabilities.
It aims to help businesses:
- commercialise their ideas into new products, processes and services, and grow their operations
- improve their ability to engage in national and international markets
- better position themselves to seek future investment and scaling opportunities, including through the NRF.
It complements the NRF’s mission to drive investment in projects that develop Australia’s industry and manufacturing capability. This will help to transform Australia’s economy.
How the program works
The program has 3 core elements:
- Industry Growth Program Advisers around Australia provide tailored advice to support commercialisation and growth projects.
- Businesses who receive this advice may be able to apply for matched grant funding opportunities.
- Industry Partner Organisations provide specialist sectorial expertise, advice and services to participating businesses.
Read how we consulted with industry and the public on the program design.
How we administer the program
Our department administers the advisory services and grant opportunities. An Executive Director oversees the program and supports the national network of Industry Growth Program Advisers.
The Industry Growth Program’s Independent Assessment Committee has a strategic advice and investment role. It will recommend grant funding for businesses that meet eligibility and merit-based criteria.
We will evaluate the program to measure how well it meets objectives and intended outcomes. Participating businesses will need to report on their progress and outcomes they’ve achieved through the program.
Meet the Executive Director
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Executive Director, Industry Growth ProgramDavid Chuter is the Executive Director of the Industry Growth Program. David brings more than 30 years of global design, engineering and manufacturing experience from an extensive career built in the global automotive industry.
Meet the advisers
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Industry Growth Program Adviser | Victoria and TasmaniaAdam Clarke is a strategic advisory consultant with over 20 years of experience in senior roles in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | New South WalesAdam Wardell has over 25 years of experience in innovation, health, medical science and deep-tech. With experience as a CEO, board member and corporate advisor, Adam can contribute to a company at any stage of its evolution. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | QueenslandAndrew is a leader of commercial innovation as an intrapreneur for large corporates, an entrepreneur in founding and co-founding startups, and as a multi-disciplinary adviser. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | New South WalesAndrew Stead has worked with startup founders, early-stage investors and corporate innovation teams, as an adviser, co-founder and board member. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | QueenslandChris Burnett is a CEO, board member and corporate adviser. After starting in the defence industry, he gained extensive experience as an entrepreneur, founding 5 companies and being CEO or chairman of over a dozen others. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | QueenslandClare Treston has expertise in strategic planning, entrepreneurship, marketing, design thinking and brand management. She has supported hundreds of SMEs on their strategic growth journeys, across a broad range of sectors. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | VictoriaClive Milham is a passionate advocate of Australian innovation, manufacturing and R&D commercialisation. He has more than 30 years of advanced manufacturing, engineering, new product development and business management experience. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | New South WalesDaniel Gronowski has spent the last 20 years working in strategy consulting, early-stage ventures, university commercialisation and venture capital. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | VictoriaDavid is a highly experienced business professional passionate about helping Australian start-ups and SMEs grow. He seeks to optimise client success through a design centred approach to business strategy, user and customer centricity, brand, and innovation. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | QueenslandDonna Patane is a specialist IP and business adviser. She has a decade of experience guiding business owners to use their IP and commercialise their ideas, focusing on the agriculture and enabling capabilities sectors. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | New South WalesDr Duncan Macinnis has spent the last 15 years working between business and science. He has a broad knowledge of the life sciences, with experience developing new products from concept through to sales. He has extensive experience working with researchers, clinicians and early-stage companies, and supporting them in their commercialisation journey. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | QueenslandEdward Andrew has over 20 years of experience building and running small businesses across 4 continents in multiple sectors, including technology, manufacturing and e-ecommerce. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | VictoriaGerard Gibbs brings over 2 decades of practical experience in science and business, with a clear, no-nonsense approach to turning ideas into real outcomes. He has a background in advanced biomedical research and has held leadership roles in both academic and commercial settings. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | Western AustraliaGreg Riebe is a seasoned figure in WA’s tech investment landscape. His 40-year career brings experience to every stage of the innovation process and a diverse range of industries, scalable business models and enabling technologies. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | Western AustraliaJames Reeves brings over 25 years of consulting experience, having worked on transformation projects and given strategic advice to companies around the world. His expertise includes strategic direction, problem-solving and driving efficiency. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | QueenslandJeremy has 30 years' experience as a founder, CEO and senior executive. He has with an entrepreneurial outlook and proven ability to create, build and run successful life science businesses. With a hands on, pragmatic approach to business he has commercialised a number of technologies. His focus in the last 10 years has been in the medical technology sector. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | New South WalesJohn Keegan is a management consultant with successful start-up experience. He has a background in corporate strategy and line management roles in operations, sales and marketing. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | VictoriaKerstin Schütz is an experienced executive and non-executive director with a unique skill set. She has a proven record in technology commercialisation, stakeholder engagement and partnering with industries and universities at a global level. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | New South WalesLeanne Farnworth has over 25 years of experience as a design and business leader. She has achieved impactful and customer-centric outcomes to improve the performance of over 120 high-growth businesses nationwide. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | New South WalesLiz Keane is an adviser with a focus on business, strategy and marketing. She excels at finding solutions tailored for clients across multiple industries. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | New South WalesMana Liao has over 15 years of experience in medical research, commercialisation, and investment. Her expertise spans life sciences to emerging technologies. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | VictoriaMichael Duncan has a broad background as a management consultant. He has worked across a range of industries with a focus on strategic direction and applying strong business fundamentals to drive growth. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | VictoriaMike Sewell is an experienced executive with excellent strategic, people development and financial management skills. He has proven expertise and passion in growing businesses, developing teams and building systems to help companies build scale and market presence. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | New South WalesMonique Donaldson is an international growth specialist. She supports firms to optimise their commercialisation and growth opportunities through focused international collaborations, projects and expansion. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | VictoriaPeter Christo is a business professional, educator and mentor with expertise in fintech, blockchain, decentralised finance, entrepreneurship and corporate venturing. He focus is on commercialisation, innovation strategy, bridging industry, academia and government. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | VictoriaPhil Ore has over 25 years global experience working across multiple industries. His diverse background includes roles as a CEO and managing director, and in engineering, marketing, sales, customer experience and corporate affairs. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | Western AustraliaRachel Falzon is an executive consultant with a focus on strategic planning and business operations. Her background spans over 15 years across defence, rail and the production sectors. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | QueenslandStephanie Moroz is an experienced CEO, director and investor with a focus on innovation, energy and sustainability. She has led product development teams around the world in businesses ranging from high volume automotive manufacturing to venture capital backed nanotechnology companies. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | South AustraliaStephen Schmid is a consultant and leader in the science and technology field. He has worked with over 100 small businesses in the last 8 years, giving tailored advice and mentoring support through Australian Government grant programs. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | QueenslandTony Aitchison's background spans many industries, from quantum to large-scale manufacturing. He has worked in sectors like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, plastics, medical, renewable energy, medtech software and more. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | New South WalesVanouhi Nazarian brings a mix of finance, investment, strategy, commercialisation and operational experience to every stage of a company. She gives technical founders the tools to unpack and articulate the financial and social value their company creates for customers and investors. -
Industry Growth Program Adviser | VictoriaVlado Baban is an experienced start-up and scale-up adviser with 2 decades of experience helping early-stage businesses and special interest groups in grant programs.
