Defence Trailblazer

Innovation & Commercialisation for Defence

Gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to take your defence innovation to market

Defence Trailblazer has developed a Defence Innovation & Commercialisation Program to assist with the identification of research and technology that can contribute to Australia’s sovereign defence capability.

The program will see defence industry leaders, university academics and commercialisation experts work together with participants to optimise pathways for commercialisation and market access.

Addressing the specific needs of people looking to successfully engage with defence market opportunities, the program will be delivered in several stages starting with an information session to explore possible approaches to commercialisation.

Discover more innovation and entrepreneurial courses at ThincLab in Adelaide and UNSW Founders in Sydney.

Join the Defence Trailblazer Commercialisation Bootcamps!

Are you a researcher or innovator with minimal commercialisation experience? The Defence Trailblazer Commercialisation Bootcamps are designed just for you! Gain valuable entrepreneurship insights and connect with experienced professionals and defence industry experts.

About the Bootcamps

  • Format: 2-day intensive workshops
  • Delivery: Across Australia, both in-person (Adelaide & Canberra) and online

Dates (Application Deadlines Extended!)

  • Adelaide: 3 – 4 March 2025
    (Applications close 24 February 2025.)
  • Canberra: 19 – 20 March 2025
    (Applications close 12 March 2025.)
  • Online: 8 – 9 April 2025
    (Applications close 4 April 2025.)

What to Expect

  • Engage with the Defence Market: Learn how to navigate and engage with the defence sector.
  • Interactive Activities: Participate in hands-on activities to enhance your learning experience.
  • Value Proposition Pitch Session: Develop and pitch your value proposition for the Australian Defence Force with feedback from expert panels.
  • Expert Feedback: Receive constructive feedback to refine your business models and commercialisation strategies.

Purpose

These workshops aim to support innovators in understanding the defence market, developing value propositions for the Australian Defence Force, refining business models, and planning early-stage commercialisation approaches.

Applications for 2025 are NOW OPEN. Apply now!

 Apply Now

Applications for Adelaide session close 24 February 2025.
Applications for Canberra session close 12 March 2025.
Applications for online session close 4 April 2025.

Don’t miss this opportunity to kickstart your journey in the defence industry!

Entrepreneurial Foundations for Defence (EFD)

Build the foundations for successful commercialisation

Entrepreneurial Foundations for Defence (EFD) is the fifth phase in the Defence Trailblazer DINAMIC Program.

Designed to support researchers, innovators and emerging companies with products, services or technology that can provide a capability benefit to our Defence sector, EFD will help you understand what is required for success in the defence market.

Delivered through a mixture of online and in-person sessions, participants gain essential insights to build defence, technology and commercial readiness, along with access to expert mentors and technical specialists.

The program concludes with an opportunity for participants to showcase their innovation(s), in person, to relevant people within the defence market and the venture capital investment community. There will also be a $10,000 grant for each participant in the program to support travel to in-person sessions, and some early-stage business expenses.

Apply for 2025 Now

See 2024 EFD Participant Profiles

Learn more at dtb.solutions

2025 Key dates

  • 25 March: Applications open
  • 30 April: Applications close
  • Early May:  Final program details released
  • 26 May: Program commences
  • 27 May: Kick-off webinar (online)
  • 3 – 5 June: On-site session in Adelaide
  • 30 July – 1 Aug: On-site session in Canberra
  • 1 Aug: Participant Showcase to Industry
  • 1 Aug: Program concludes

Please note: the above dates may be subject to change.

Apply Now

Eligibility & additional information

Please note the following requirements for your application.

  • You are an Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • You have the necessary rights to commercialise the Intellectual Property associated with your research idea, innovation or technology
  • You are (or will be) eligible to apply for Australian Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) accreditation to a level appropriate to your proposal
  • You must not be precluded under the requirements of the Defence Policy for Industry Participation
  • A business entity resulting from this activity must be majority Australian-owned
  • Commitment to provide end-of-program financial reconciliation against eligible expenditure is required.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE WED 30 APRIL 2025