Get your idea market ready

The IPPIN Incubator program is a free five-week online introductory program for researchers, start-ups and SMEs looking to redefine the plastic waste lifecycle.

It is designed to help teams understand the potential of their project or idea with customer discovery and market validation of plastic waste solutions, with support from mentors and advisors to improve communication skills, challenge assumptions and take research projects to the next level.

The program offers the opportunity to connect with entrepreneurs across the Indo-Pacific region, fostering cross-cultural networking and collaborations.   

IPPIN is supported by the Australian Government and implemented by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO in partnership with governments in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Applications closed for 2024

Who should apply?

The Incubator is designed to support idea-stage start-ups, research teams, SMEs, and other stakeholders looking to refine their ideas, projects, or solutions to address one or more of the following program challenge areas:

• Sustainable alternatives which outperform existing plastics
• Improving plastics innovation and capturing value beyond first use, to develop lasting circular solutions
• Empower decision-making through reliable and accessible information
• Innovative Solutions for Low-Value Plastic Waste in Vietnam
• Multi-lateral teams are encouraged

Participants can come from anywhere in the world (encouraging teams from Laos and Cambodia and/or marginalised communities) so long as they can help reimagine plastic waste in the Indo-Pacific. Applicants need to choose the most suitable market/context (Indonesia, Thailand, or Vietnam) for where their idea best fits.   

What can you expect?

The Incubator is a free and competitive program. Places are limited and are awarded to teams based on the strength of their applications.   

The program will require invited participants to commit six hours per week for five weeks, to attend weekly workshops and coaching sessions.

The program is run in English however, full interpretation services are offered to participants in Bahasa Indonesia, Thai, and Vietnamese.  

Why join us?

• Transform your idea into reality: Receive industry guidance, valuable resources and constructive feedback to turn your innovative idea or research into a tangible, market-ready solution.  
• Enhance your entrepreneurial toolkit: Benefit from weekly learning and coaching to acquire skills and knowledge to maximise your solution’s potential.  

• Master your pitch: Hone your pitching skills to communicate the impact and potential of your idea to industry leaders.  
• Expand your international networks: By joining the Incubator program, you become part of a vibrant community of like-minded individuals who share the same passion for plastic circularity and can bring fresh insights to your work.  
• Foster new partnerships: Previous, selected teams have gone on to collaborate with CSIRO networks, meet international partners, and tap into our industry and investment opportunities.  

More about the program   

The Incubator Program is delivered through our Indo-Pacific Plastics Innovation Network. The program is part of CSIRO’s Ending Plastic Waste Mission, which has a goal of an 80 per cent in plastic waste entering the Australian environment by 2030.