Propel-Air | AI Adopt Centre

WELCOME

AUSTRALIA'S FIRST AI AND ROBOTICS SPRINT

WELCOME

AUSTRALIA'S FIRST AI AND ROBOTICS SPRINT

Are you a company using AI and Robotics? Propel-AIR is here to fast-track your growth, connect you with global experts, and showcase your talent on the world stage.

WELCOME

AUSTRALIA'S FIRST AI AND ROBOTICS SPRINT

Are you a company using AI and Robotics? Propel-AIR is here to fast-track your growth, connect you with global experts, and showcase your talent on the world stage.

PROGRAM

Propel-AIR is designed to fast-track Australian robotics and AI innovators, equipping them with tools, guidance, and networks to scale their business. The program is a combination of compulsory and optional activities. While we highly recommend participating in all activities, some aren’t required to complete the sprint.

CORE ACTIVITIES

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Promotion and media

Product market fit

Venture capital one-on-one meetings

Pitch readiness

Trial investor pitching session

Marketing

Participating in the Virtual Pitch Night

NVIDIA and Solidworks material & training

MassRobotics residency (overall winner)

Design for manufacture

PROGRAM

Propel-AIR is designed to fast-track Australian robotics and AI innovators, equipping them with tools, guidance, and networks to scale their business. The program is a combination of compulsory and optional activities. While we highly recommend participating in all activities, some aren’t required to complete the sprint.

CORE ACTIVITIES

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Promotion and media

Product market fit

Venture capital one-on-one meetings

Pitch readiness

Trial investor pitching session

Marketing

Participating in the Virtual Pitch Night

NVIDIA and Solidworks material & training

MassRobotics residency (overall winner)

Design for manufacture

When

YOUR PROPEL-AIR JOURNEY

When

YOUR PROPEL-AIR JOURNEY

MILESTONES

DATES

Applications Open

20 Jan 2025

Melbourne Information tour

13 march 2025

Brisbane Information tour

18 march 2025

sydney Information tour

25 march 2025

applications close

30 may 2025

cohort announced

20 JUNE 2025

virtual pitch event

31 Jul 2025

winner announced

4 Aug 2025

massrobotics residency

oct 2025

sprint concludes

oct 2025

When

YOUR PROPEL-AIR JOURNEY

MILESTONES

DATES

Applications Open

20 Jan 2025

Melbourne Information tour

13 march 2025

Brisbane Information tour

18 march 2025

sydney Information tour

25 march 2025

applications close

30 may 2025

cohort announced

20 JUNE 2025

virtual pitch event

31 Jul 2025

winner announced

4 Aug 2025

massrobotics residency

oct 2025

sprint concludes

oct 2025

Eligibility

CAN I APPLY?

Eligibility

CAN I APPLY?

Propel-AIR is open to both individuals and entities with an Australian Business Number (ABN). Participants are required to have a Minimum Viable Product. Entrants must have fewer than 200 staff globally.

The selection criteria are designed to identify and support companies poised to make significant contributions to Australia's AI and robotics landscape. Participants must demonstrate:

Potential for growth and innovation in the field

An ambition for scaling and commercialisation within Propel-AIR's timeline

Ability to maximise the Propel-AIR program offer

A willingness to collaborate and learn from peers and industry mentors to drive impactful results

Eligibility

CAN I APPLY?

Propel-AIR is open to both individuals and entities with an Australian Business Number (ABN). Participants are required to have a Minimum Viable Product. Entrants must have fewer than 200 staff globally.

The selection criteria are designed to identify and support companies poised to make significant contributions to Australia's AI and robotics landscape. Participants must demonstrate:

Potential for growth and innovation in the field

An ambition for scaling and commercialisation within Propel-AIR's timeline

Ability to maximise the Propel-AIR program offer

A willingness to collaborate and learn from peers and industry mentors to drive impactful results

TEAM

Applicants must have a dedicated team capable of committing to the Sprint's duration and activities, which is over a minimum period of five months from June 2025 to November 2025. The team must also have the experience, skills and readiness to execute the proposed solution

TEAM

Applicants must have a dedicated team capable of committing to the Sprint's duration and activities, which is over a minimum period of five months from June 2025 to November 2025. The team must also have the experience, skills and readiness to execute the proposed solution

TRIP TO THE USA

At least one staff member (up to two staff) must be able to travel to the USA for the residency in October 2025. The trip is for up to four weeks

TRIP TO THE USA

At least one staff member (up to two staff) must be able to travel to the USA for the residency in October 2025. The trip is for up to four weeks

NEW AND NOVEL

Applicants must be developing or using innovative and novel AI and robotics solutions

NEW AND NOVEL

Applicants must be developing or using innovative and novel AI and robotics solutions

ALIGNMENT WITH NATIONAL AIMS

The solution must align with Propel-AIR's aim, which is to boost Australia's national capability in AI and robotics for the benefit of Australia

ALIGNMENT WITH NATIONAL AIMS

The solution must align with Propel-AIR's aim, which is to boost Australia's national capability in AI and robotics for the benefit of Australia

ABILITY TO SCALE

Applicants must have an understanding of their target market, including size, growth prospects, and competitive landscape. The solution must be able to be scaled to meet broader market demands

ABILITY TO SCALE

Applicants must have an understanding of their target market, including size, growth prospects, and competitive landscape. The solution must be able to be scaled to meet broader market demands

MEDIA

While undertaking the program, all participants will be required to be available for media opportunities. Upon completion of the Sprint, all participants will be required to champion Propel-AIR in future promotions

MEDIA

While undertaking the program, all participants will be required to be available for media opportunities. Upon completion of the Sprint, all participants will be required to champion Propel-AIR in future promotions

TEAM

Applicants must have a dedicated team capable of committing to the Sprint's duration and activities, which is over a minimum period of five months from June 2025 to November 2025. The team must also have the experience, skills and readiness to execute the proposed solution

TRIP TO THE USA

At least one staff member (up to two staff) must be able to travel to the USA for the residency in October 2025. The trip is for up to four weeks

NEW AND NOVEL

Applicants must be developing or using innovative and novel AI and robotics solutions

ALIGNMENT WITH NATIONAL AIMS

The solution must align with Propel-AIR's aim, which is to boost Australia's national capability in AI and robotics for the benefit of Australia

ABILITY TO SCALE

Applicants must have an understanding of their target market, including size, growth prospects, and competitive landscape. The solution must be able to be scaled to meet broader market demands

MEDIA

While undertaking the program, all participants will be required to be available for media opportunities. Upon completion of the Sprint, all participants will be required to champion Propel-AIR in future promotions

Judging

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Judging

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The Propel-AIR evaluation criteria is focused around innovation excellence, market viability, execution and progress, team collaboration, and impact for Australia.

PRIZES

WHAT'S ON OFFER

PRIZES

WHAT'S ON OFFER

All participants receive business development support (e.g. product-market fit sessions), VC advice, and media opportunities. The overall winner receives a trip to MassRobotics in Boston for a month-long residency.

Why Boston?

Boston is a global leader in AI and robotics due to its world-class academic institutions like MIT and Harvard and its vibrant startup ecosystem that includes companies like Boston Dynamics and iRobot.

Judging

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The Propel-AIR evaluation criteria is focused around innovation excellence, market viability, execution and progress, team collaboration, and impact for Australia.

PRIZES

WHAT'S ON OFFER

All participants receive business development support (e.g. product-market fit sessions), VC advice, and media opportunities. The overall winner receives a trip to MassRobotics in Boston for a month-long residency.

Why Boston?

Boston is a global leader in AI and robotics due to its world-class academic institutions like MIT and Harvard and its vibrant startup ecosystem that includes companies like Boston Dynamics and iRobot.