Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, through its National AI Centre, Australia’s largest innovation community Stone & Chalk, and Google Cloud have come together to launch the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Sprint program, which seeks to help start-ups and entrepreneurs rapidly develop AI solutions to address pressing national issues that include cost of living, governance, supply chain resilience, human and environmental well-being, and workforce transformation.
The three-month competitive program will provide start-ups and entrepreneurs with access to resources, tools, and the expert support needed to rapidly refine AI-powered ideas into demonstration-ready prototypes. Stone & Chalk will be offering essential start-up support services, with Google Cloud bringing AI technical support, and NAIC providing AI expertise, an engaged community and resources.
A selection of participants will then be chosen to progress to the second stage where they will benefit from enhanced support and resources in preparation for a Demo Day, where prototypes will be presented to an audience of industry stakeholders.
The winner will be awarded $300,000 worth of research and development support from selected Australian research institutes, while two runners-up will receive $100,000. The prize is provided by the NAIC and includes facilitation services by CSIRO’s SME connect.
Winners will also be eligible for a range of support services from Stone & Chalk to help them to secure the essential capital, customers, expertise and talent for the most successful launch of their business.
National AI Centre Director Stela Solar said Australia’s AI Sprint is central to the NAIC’s mission to create a thriving local AI industry and accelerate the nation’s sovereign AI capabilities.
“Australia’s AI Sprint offers our innovators the technological expertise and commercial savvy to create AI solutions with real impact for Australia. The initiative provides start-ups and entrepreneurs with the end-to-end support needed to refine their innovations, gain visibility, and bring their AI solutions to market. This is the springboard opportunity to transform AI concepts into real-world impact,” Solar said.
CEO of Stone & Chalk Group, Chris Kirk, said by partnering with NAIC and Google Cloud, Australia’s AI Sprint has the unique ability to accelerate the long-term growth of AI in Australia.
“By uniting our organisations’ unique strengths, we have an unprecedented opportunity to cultivate world-class AI talent, drive innovation, and develop solutions that will benefit Australians in the digital age,” Kirk said. “Australia’s AI Sprint is a game-changer that will significantly strengthen our nation’s AI ecosystem for the future.”
Michael Langford, Head of VC & Startup Ecosystem JAPAC, Google Cloud, said, “AI’s potential to help solve real-world problems and build a stronger digital future for all Australians is significant. Initiatives like Australia’s AI Sprint play a crucial role in unlocking this potential, and we are pleased to support innovators across the country with our deep expertise, educational resources and mentorship.”
Overall the program will provide end-to-end support that will enable participants to refine their innovations, gain visibility, and bring their AI solutions to market while nurturing greater AI innovation and position Australia at the forefront of responsible AI advancement.
Applicants will be accepted based on their proposals aligned to one of the program’s opportunity statements, with the first phase of the AI Sprint scheduled to commence in February 2024.
