Deep Tech Commercialisation Training Program

The Deep Tech Commercialisation Training Program (DTCTP) supports entrepreneurship and commercialisation skills development in NSW by funding a NSW startup incubator or accelerator to provide a statewide deep tech commercialisation training pipeline for NSW-based entrepreneurs.

Administered by the Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE) within the Premier’s Department, the DTCTP will provide funding to a NSW startup incubator or accelerator which in turn will provide promising entrepreneurs with innovative technologies with the commercialisation knowledge necessary to refine their market strategy, identify customers, scale their business, and help them grow and attract additional public and private investment.

Through this process, the DTCTP grant program will be open to applications from incubators and similar appropriate entities within NSW.

Program objectives

• Scope: Deliver a NSW-wide deep tech commercialisation pipeline that helps early-stage entrepreneurs move from idea/early validation to credible commercialisation momentum, reducing early failure risk and progressing toward follow-on funding (especially public/private capital).
• Who the program is for: NSW-based entrepreneurs (residing or employed in NSW), commercialising deep tech products or ideas in NSW.
• Delivery model (flexible by design): A delivery model that maximises outcomes, provides training across various maturity levels and does not duplicate other free services that are in the market. The training programs should be free to participating entrepreneurs. However, we may consider programs with course fees (in exceptional circumstances) where fees would substantially improve the benefits of the program and not present a barrier to participation.
• Deep tech-relevant progression content: Provide practical support that reflects deep-tech realities (longer R&D cycles, prototyping, pilots/field tests, hardware/manufacturing pathways, research translation). Content may include market discovery, customer validation, IP strategy, commercial pathway design, capital raising, pilots and field tests, and sector-specific pathways relevant to deep tech.
• Equity and tailored support: Show that delivery will be equitable and inclusive, including appropriate tailoring for new, regional/remote NSW, women and Aboriginal entrepreneurs (including barriers to participation and how you will address them).
• Mentors, networks and community: Build structured connections to mentors, experts, peers and alumni, and clearly explain how those connections will translate into participant progression (e.g. validation, pilots, investor readiness, grant readiness).
• Showcase/event(s): Include at least one annual ecosystem-facing event (e.g. demo day/showcase/graduation) to connect participants with the broader ecosystem and celebrate progress.
• Communications and pipeline-building: Implement communications and outreach to sustain a pipeline of participants, drive uptake and completion, and reach the right target segments across NSW over the program term.
• Measurement and reporting: Propose a monitoring and evaluation approach in collaboration with OCSE, including KPIs and annual reporting (with a public-facing summary). Reporting should capture reach, participant experience and outcomes across short/medium/long term, acknowledging deep tech timeframes.
• Governance and continuous improvement: Establish governance arrangements that support transparent decision-making, conflict-of-interest management, and iteration of the program based on feedback and sector trends.

Important Dates