Australia’s artificial intelligence (AI) Sprint has launched to help startups and entrepreneurs rapidly develop AI solutions to address pressing national issues including cost of living, governance, supply chain resilience, human and environmental well-being, and workforce transformation.
The AI Sprint is a collaboration between the National AI Centre (coordinated by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO), Australia’s largest innovation community Stone & Chalk, and Google Cloud.
The winner will be awarded $300,000-worth of research and development support from selected Australian research institutes, while second and third will receive $100,000. The winner will be awarded $300,000-worth of research and development support from selected Australian research institutes, while second and third will receive $100,000.
This 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.
Australia’s AI Sprint is a three-month competitive program designed to provide startups and entrepreneurs with access to resources, tools, and the expert support needed to rapidly refine AI-powered ideas into demonstration-ready prototypes.
National AI centre director Stela Solar said “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,” said Solar.
Stone & Chalk Group chief executive officer, Chris Kirk said “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.”
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.
Head of VC & Startup ecosystem JAPAC, google cloud, Michael Langford 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.”
Prizes designed to accelerate startups’ growth will be awarded to the most viable ideas.