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.

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.

APPLY NOW

APPLY NOW

APPLY NOW

PROGRAM

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 

Applications Open 

20 Jan 2025 

Brisbane Information tour

Brisbane Information tour

4 march 2025

Melbourne Information tour

Melbourne Information tour

13 march 2025

sydney Information tour

sydney Information tour

25 march 2025

applications close

applications close

30 may 2025 

cohort announced

cohort announced

20 JUNE 2025

virtual pitch event

virtual pitch event

31 Jul 2025

winner announced

winner announced

4 Aug 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 

Brisbane Information tour

4 march 2025

Melbourne Information tour

13 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 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 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 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

The National Propel-AIR Connect Tour is your chance to dive into Australia’s most exciting AI and robotics initiative, with information sessions in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney in March 2025.

Beyond essential insights into Propel-AIR, attendees will enjoy expert panels and networking with leading voices in AI and robotics.

Registrations open soon!

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

info@aiadopt.ai

+ 61 491 200 260

53 Holland Street, Northgate Queensland 4013, Australia

This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources through the AI Adopt Program.

© COPYRIGHT 2024, ARM Hub AI ADOPT CENTRE, ABN 75 637 952 517. All rights reserved.

info@aiadopt.ai

+ 61 491 200 260

53 Holland Street, Northgate Queensland 4013, Australia

This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources through the AI Adopt Program.

© COPYRIGHT 2024, ARM Hub AI ADOPT CENTRE, ABN 75 637 952 517. All rights reserved.

info@aiadopt.ai

+ 61 491 200 260

53 Holland Street, Northgate Queensland 4013, Australia

This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources through the AI Adopt Program.

© COPYRIGHT 2024, ARM Hub AI ADOPT CENTRE, ABN 75 637 952 517. All rights reserved.