Australia’s AI Sprint

The AI competition to improve the lives of everyday Australians

Australia’s AI Sprint brings together the AI community to give innovators the chance to build new, useful AI solutions to tackle some of the nation's biggest challenges.

It’s a joint effort between the National AI Centre (coordinated by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO), Australia's largest innovation community Stone & Chalk, and Google Cloud.

Participants gets the support they need – including corporate partnership opportunities, commercial mentoring, networking and technical assistance – to turn their AI tech into a sustainable business.

A pool of research and development support valued at $500,000 from selected Australian research institutes is given to first, second and third place winners. 

This prize is provided by the National AI Centre and is facilitated by CSIRO's SME Connect.

The AI Sprint for 2024 is now complete.

The competition program

Australia’s AI Sprint offers the expert guidance, infrastructure, and connections participants need to build and launch AI-powered solutions that benefit Australia’s economy and society.

Open to innovators across the nation, the program is delivered online with hybrid elements.

It kicked off on 3 April 2024 and wrapped up with a Demo Day in June, where participants pitched their ideas to top industry stakeholders.

Prizes

The top three winners share $500,000 in research and development support from leading Australian research institutes.

This prize is provided by the National AI Centre and includes facilitation services by CSIRO's SME Connect.

Winners and finalists of Australia’s AI Sprint will also be given access to Australia’s AI Sprint Prize Sandbox to further accelerate their solution.

Opportunity statements

Your AI solution must align to one of the following opportunity statements:

• Resilient and efficient supply chains – optimising supply chains and promoting efficiency, flexibility and sustainability.
• Fair and transparent governance  – empowering Australia’s commercial sector to effectively fulfil their diverse governance obligations.
• Affordable cost of living – addressing the pressing cost of living crisis, supporting an affordable and sustainable future for all.
• Better life and living – improving the health of Australians or building environmental resilience in Australia.
• Superpowered workforce – equipping employees with advanced tools, enhancing skills, and empowering workers to ensure the workforce is future-ready and adaptable to the changing demands of the modern world.

Stage 1 Benefits

Participants in the first stage receive:

• AI educational content through live webinars from Google Cloud and partners
• One year's membership to Google Cloud Innovators Plus, providing access to the entire catalogue of Google Cloud Skills Boost and over $2,300 AUD in developer benefits. This includes up to $1,500 AUD of Google Cloud Platform credit
• Expert guidance on building viable AI products, growth strategies and commercial applications

Stage 2 Benefits

Participants in the second stage receive additional support, including:

• Google Cloud AI expert mentors and support
• Deeper AI training
• Business mentoring and support including guidance on go-to-market strategies, developing a pitch, and PR
• Investor and corporate partner networks
• The opportunity to display your solution at the Demo Day 

2024 AI Sprint

Key program dates

• Applications open: 21 February 2024
• Applications close: 21 March 2024
• Stage 1: 3 April – 10 May 2024
• Stage 2: 13 May – 14 June 2024
• Demo day: Thursday 20 June

Eligibility criteria

The sprint is open to both individuals and entities holding an Australian Business Number (ABN). However, the following criteria must be met:

• Participants are required to have a Minimum Viable Product of their idea.
• All entrants, whether individuals or as a team, must be from a company that employs under 20 full-time staff members.
  

Please read our Privacy Policy, Participation Terms and Conditions, Code of Conduct and Competition Guidelines before applying.