Programs for small business leaders
Find time-efficient options designed for busy business people:
To get involved register for one of our programs or book a meeting with an innovation expert.
SME Accelerator - unlock business challenges
Join a cohort of business peers for a full day of intensive work on unblocking your business growth.
Be challenged by growth and innovation experts to think differently and build upon your existing business skills and success.
SME Breakfast - Meaningful peer engagement
Our quarterly SME breakfast is carefully designed to start real small-group conversations about business. You'll discuss challenges and opportunities with other founders who understand the realities and challenges of leading a business. Build genuine relationships beyond surface-level networking.
SME Conversations - Sounding Board and connections to resources
Book a meeting with an innovation expert from our team. We'll be a sounding board to help you explore new approaches based on our deep understanding of topics like innovation-led business growth. We'll help you leverage our networks to find relevant resources including funding, programs, advisors and mentors.
Program
Empowering SMEs through our ongoing programs
Join a cohort of business peers for a full day of intensive work on unblocking your business growth.
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Are you an ambitious founder of an SME, looking to network and a morning event before work?
We bring in relevant, highly experienced people as our brains trust.
Annual event showcasing Canberra's innovation community and emerging ventures.
FWC is a regular monthly networking event that activates the ACT innovation ecosystem.
Testimonials
How have we helped SME's in the past?
Hear from entrepreneurs who've completed the SME Accelerator or grown their ventures at CBRIN.
This is a great workshop for SMEs to attend. It's highly valuable to take time out and view your business in a new light and to be challenged to think differently about your blockers by the facilitators and your peers. You'll leave with both immediate actions to take as well as bigger dream for the future
Pernille Aggerholm, SME Accelerator Founder, Think Boldly!
The Accelerator made me uncomfortable ... in a very good way. It was great to have dedicated time to think about my business, and to debate my business with other participants. Learning about other participants' businesses was equally valuable, with so many lessons learnt to glean.
Michael Nelson, SME Accelerator Founder & Managing Director, Smarter Knowledge
Stories
Real people, true stories
Human Connection. Relationships. Customers.
For startups and high-ambition innovation companies, one thing is increasingly obvious: your competitive advantage is no longer just about your product or technology. Human connections, relationships and presence with customers are the new driving forces.
Cyber Spotlight: Cognitive advantage
We spoke to Charles Winsor, Director of Cognitive Advantage. Learn about what they do, what they are proud of and why Canberra is the best place to do business.
BoomBox Booth DJ in a box with Dan Rawson, Founder & Director of BoomBox Industries
We had the pleasure of attending the Idea to Impact 10-week workshop with Dan Rawson, Founder & Director of BoomBox Industries, and no lie – this guy nailed it. Before the program had finished he had the emcee on the phone with CEOs to spruik the business.
Canberra start-up changing the world of 3D printing
Canberra advanced technology startup Syenta has been listed among top ten 3D printing startups to watch by 3D print.com, an online magazine that covers industry stories to help investors, enterprises, and decision-makers understand and tap into the potential of the rapidly growing additive manufacturing sector.
New ANU hub to support First Nations innovators
The Australian National University (ANU) has launched a new Indigenous-led innovation hub to develop long-term partnerships and collaborations with First Nations businesses and communities, which already contribute billions of dollars to the Australian economy.
8 Innovative Canberra Businesses Awarded $237,000 through the Innovation Connect Grant Program
$237,000 awarded to 8 local innovation businesses in the second round of the 2025 ICON Grant. Three of the funded projects are led by local female founders.
2025 End of Year Message from the CEO
With over 250 events, across all sectors and stages of maturity of firms, close to 10,000 participants in those events, over 20 programs targeting different needs across the ecosystem, CBRIN brings together people to create an environment in which you can access mentors, customers, partners, investors, collaborators, makers, creatives, researchers, students and other talent and connections.
Canberra innovator turns natural waste products into useful home compostable items
In December 2020, ANU Research School of Chemistry PhD student Ashwani Kumar set out to achieve the seemingly impossible.
SME Business Accelerator: Unlocking Potential for Canberra's SMEs
The Accelerator, is the cornerstone of the Canberra Innovation Network’s support to local small businesses to use innovation methods to create better business outcomes.
Griffin Accelerator
Over the past decade, the GRIFFIN Accelerator has been a cornerstone for entrepreneurship in Canberra, connecting driven founders with seasoned local mentors. By pairing founders with mentors, providing investment, and pushing them to scale ambitiously, the program has become an integral part of our ecosystem.
Canberra’s OX Rooms joins GRIFFIN Accelerator Program to drive innovation, efficiency, and security in real estate transactions
OX Rooms delivers unprecedented transparency for buying and selling real estate to agents, lawyers, buyers and sellers setting the stage for industry-wide transformation.
The Power of Community in Coworking
Coworking spaces have become thriving communities that encourage innovation, collaboration, and personal growth.
9 Local Female led businesses receive funding to launch their innovative projects
Turning your Idea to Impact with these innovation skills: Workshop Series with fresh content for 2025
What It Feels Like to Build an Innovation Company in Canberra?
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What is the SME Business Accelerator?
10 Innovative Canberra Businesses Awarded $276,500 through the Innovation Connect Grant Program
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First Wednesday Connect Pitch List October 2025
Meet the team: Kate Stevens
Connect with the Canberra Innovation Community
Canberra scale-ups have a new home base in the heart of the city
2024 End of year CEO message
We create impact together as a collective of entrepreneurs, innovators, business owners, educators, researchers, partners, mentors, investors, government and community organisations.
Links to Other Ecosystem Programs, Initiatives and Organisations
ACT Innovation Ecosystem Initiatives
Explore offerings of other ecosystem collaborators that may be relevant to you.
Events
Browse upcoming events
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Innovation Showcase 2025
- 5 November 2025
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First Wednesday Connect February 2026
- 4 February 2026
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Female Founders: Tradeshow
- 10 February 2026
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SME Breakfast February 2026
- 26 February 2026
First Wednesday Connect March 2026
- 4 March 2026
Book Launch: Handbook of Innovation Ecosystems | John H. Howard
- 8 April 2026
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Female Founders: Panel
- 10 March 2026
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Online Group Intro Meeting
- 12 March 2026
