CSIRO has launched the Thailand Australia Venture Exchange Program, a new initiative designed to connect agrifood startups and small to medium sized enterprises from Australia and Thailand to support business growth, research collaboration and the commercialisation of new food and agriculture technologies.
Delivered by CSIRO in partnership with Thailand’s Food Innopolis, part of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), and the Research University Network (RUN), the 12 week program is open to eligible organisations operating across the agrifood value chain.
The initiative aims to help participating businesses expand into new markets while strengthening collaboration between researchers, industry and investors in both countries. It focuses on supporting organisations developing solutions for sustainable agrifood systems and future food production.
Participants will receive a combination of online and in-person learning, funded travel to Australia and Thailand during two market immersion weeks, coaching to identify research and commercial opportunities, access to research, investor and customer networks, and support to develop market entry strategies.
CSIRO director southeast Asia Amelia Fyfield said the program builds on broader collaboration between Australia and Thailand through the Innovation for Food Sustainability program, which is supported by the Australian Government’s Southeast Asia and Australia Government Partnerships program.
“By working with our partners at Thailand’s Food Innopolis and the Research University Network, we’re creating clear pathways for Australian and Thai agrifood innovators to access research facilities, scientific expertise and real market opportunities to help accelerate sustainable food industry development across our region,” said Fyfield.
The new exchange program follows the delivery of CSIRO’s Venture Exchange Program in Singapore, which supported participating businesses to build international partnerships, improve investment readiness and enter new markets.
“The program provides a vital platform for Thai and Australian startups to scale their solutions through shared research expertise and market insight, supporting their pathway into international markets,” said Dr Akeanong Jangbua, director of Food Innopolis at Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA).
“By uniting CSIRO’s scientific leadership, the academic excellence of the Research University Network, and NSTDA’s Food Innopolis innovation ecosystem, we are leveraging collective strengths to support agrifood startups with global ambitions.”
The program is suited to Australian startups and SMEs, together with Thai organisations affiliated with RUN Thailand, that are developing technologies or services in areas including agrifood innovation systems, food sustainability, agriculture, aquaculture, future foods and alternative proteins.
Applications for the first round close on 31 July 2026, with up to 15 companies expected to be selected, split evenly between Australia and Thailand. Additional rounds are planned for 2027.
