WELCOME
AUSTRALIA'S FIRST AI AND ROBOTICS SPRINT
WELCOME
AUSTRALIA'S FIRST AI AND ROBOTICS SPRINT
Propel-AIR is here to fast-track your growth, connect you with global experts, and showcase your talent on the world stage.
Applications open on 20 January 2025. Keep in touch by registering your interest below.
WELCOME
AUSTRALIA'S FIRST AI AND ROBOTICS SPRINT
Propel-AIR is here to fast-track your growth, connect you with global experts, and showcase your talent on the world stage.
Applications open on 20 January 2025. Keep in touch by registering your interest below.
Overview
ABOUT PROPEL-AIR
Overview
ABOUT PROPEL-AIR
Overview
ABOUT PROPEL-AIR
Propel-AIR is a call to action for startups, scaleups, and innovators to boost the development of their solutions.
The Sprint provides business opportunities for 10 AI and robotics companies and culminates in each company virtually pitching their solution to an international panel of experts. The winning pitch secures an opportunity to travel to MassRobotics in Boston for a one-month residency.
All 10 participants will receive business development assistance, including VC mentoring, product market fit assessments, and media opportunities.
When
YOUR PROPEL-AIR JOURNEY
When
YOUR PROPEL-AIR JOURNEY
MILESTONES
DATES
Applications Open
Applications Open
20 Jan 2025
propel-air connect tour
propel-air connect tour
feb-may 2025
applications close
applications close
30 may 2025
virtual pitch event
virtual pitch event
jul 2025
winner announced
winner announced
jul 2025
massrobotics residency
massrobotics residency
oct 2025
sprint concludes
sprint concludes
oct 2025
When
YOUR PROPEL-AIR JOURNEY
MILESTONES
DATES
Applications Open
20 Jan 2025
propel-air connect tour
feb-may 2025
applications close
30 may 2025
virtual pitch event
jul 2025
winner announced
jul 2025
massrobotics residency
oct 2025
sprint concludes
oct 2025
Requirements
CAN I APPLY?
Requirements
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, including simulations, digital twins and similar. 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
Requirements
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, including simulations, digital twins and similar. 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 July 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 July 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 founder (up to two founders) must be able to travel to the USA for the residency. The trip is for up to four weeks
TRIP TO THE USA
At least one founder (up to two founders) must be able to travel to the USA for the residency. 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 selected 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 selected 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 July 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 founder (up to two founders) must be able to travel to the USA for the residency. 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 selected 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 mentoring, and media opportunities.
The overall winner receives a trip to MassRobotics for a month-long residency (please note the residency is for up to four weeks).
The trip includes:
BOSTON ROBOTICS HUB
Discovery and connection to the robotics ecosystem in Boston, including local companies, mentors, and other startups and scaleups
BOSTON ROBOTICS HUB
Discovery and connection to the robotics ecosystem in Boston, including local companies, mentors, and other startups and scaleups
MASSROBOTICS MENTORSHIP
A mentorship program from MassRobotics
MASSROBOTICS MENTORSHIP
A mentorship program from MassRobotics
ROBOBUSINESS INVITE
An invitation to attend RoboBusiness in Silicon Valley, California
ROBOBUSINESS INVITE
An invitation to attend RoboBusiness in Silicon Valley, California
DEMO SHOWCASE
An invitation to participate in the October 2025 Demo Day at MassRobotics, their annual investor-only event
DEMO SHOWCASE
An invitation to participate in the October 2025 Demo Day at MassRobotics, their annual investor-only event
WORKSHOP ACCESS
Access to a dedicated space at MassRobotics for the duration of residency
WORKSHOP ACCESS
Access to a dedicated space at MassRobotics for the duration of residency
PROFILE BUILDING
Terrific profile-building opportunities
PROFILE BUILDING
Terrific profile-building opportunities
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.
Organisations like MassRobotics foster innovation, while a legacy of technological leadership and access to venture capital ensure continued growth. This synergy of academia, industry, and community makes Boston a critical hub for AI and robotics.
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 mentoring, and media opportunities.
The overall winner receives a trip to MassRobotics for a month-long residency (please note the residency is for up to four weeks).
The trip includes:
BOSTON ROBOTICS HUB
Discovery and connection to the robotics ecosystem in Boston, including local companies, mentors, and other startups and scaleups
MASSROBOTICS MENTORSHIP
A mentorship program from MassRobotics
ROBOBUSINESS INVITE
An invitation to attend RoboBusiness in Silicon Valley, California
DEMO SHOWCASE
An invitation to participate in the October 2025 Demo Day at MassRobotics, their annual investor-only event
WORKSHOP ACCESS
Access to a dedicated space at MassRobotics for the duration of residency
PROFILE BUILDING
Terrific profile-building opportunities
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.
Organisations like MassRobotics foster innovation, while a legacy of technological leadership and access to venture capital ensure continued growth. This synergy of academia, industry, and community makes Boston a critical hub for AI and robotics.
Stay tuned!
PROPEL-AIR CONNECT TOUR
Stay tuned!
PROPEL-AIR CONNECT TOUR
From February through to May, the National Propel-AIR Connect Tour is your chance to dive into Australia’s most exciting AI and robotics initiative, with information sessions touring fabulous venues across the country, each offering a unique flavour reflective of its city. Tailored for startups, scaleups, innovators, and industry leaders, these events aim to drive applications and spark interest in commercial and in-kind sponsorship opportunities.
Beyond essential insights into Propel-AIR, attendees will enjoy dynamic attractions like expert panels, fireside chats, or debates with leading voices in AI and robotics. These free-to-attend sessions will soon be open for registration on Eventbrite. Don’t miss your chance to connect, collaborate, and be part of the movement that’s putting Australian tech on the world stage!
Stay tuned!
PROPEL-AIR CONNECT TOUR
From February through to May, the National Propel-AIR Connect Tour is your chance to dive into Australia’s most exciting AI and robotics initiative, with information sessions touring fabulous venues across the country, each offering a unique flavour reflective of its city. Tailored for startups, scaleups, innovators, and industry leaders, these events aim to drive applications and spark interest in commercial and in-kind sponsorship opportunities.
Beyond essential insights into Propel-AIR, attendees will enjoy dynamic attractions like expert panels, fireside chats, or debates with leading voices in AI and robotics. These free-to-attend sessions will soon be open for registration on Eventbrite. Don’t miss your chance to connect, collaborate, and be part of the movement that’s putting Australian tech on the world stage!
Partners, Sponsors and collaborators
A NATIONWIDE NETWORK OF PARTNERS
Partners, Sponsors and collaborators
A NATIONWIDE NETWORK OF PARTNERS
KEY SUPPORTERS
KEY SUPPORTERS
Partners, Sponsors and collaborators
A NATIONWIDE NETWORK OF PARTNERS
KEY SUPPORTERS