CSIRO

What CSIRO does

CSIRO is Australia's National Science Agency, a statutory body of the Australian Government established in 1926 under the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Act 1949. The organization employs more than 5,000 scientists across Australia and operates major research infrastructure including the RV Investigator marine research vessel, the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station, and the National Research Collections Australia facility in Canberra, which safeguards 13 million biodiversity specimens. Its digital specialist arm Data61 develops robotics, AI/ML, cybersecurity, and formal verification technologies, with flagship assets including the seL4 microkernel (formally verified, open source on GitHub), Wildcat SLAM navigation (sub-1% deviation in DARPA Subterranean Challenge), the SPARK bushfire prediction framework, and the UbiSENSE and Senaps sensor analytics platforms. Materials and mission programs span perovskite printed flexible solar cells (space-tested aboard the Optimus-1 satellite on SpaceX Transporter-10), the Colvera bowel cancer recurrence blood test, AquaWatch Australia water quality forecasting, the Ending Plastic Waste Mission, and the Green Metals Innovation Network.

CSIRO generates impact through a hybrid revenue model combining Australian federal appropriations, multi-year enterprise and government R&D contracts (notably a five-year US$41M Boeing program renewed in 2021 and an AU$10M Green Metals Innovation Network funded in 2025), technology licensing from more than 3,642 patents, and equity returns from 170+ spinout companies including Emesent and DiagamiRs. CSIRO US, established in 2017 in Silicon Valley and expanded to approximately 10 employees across offices in Silicon Valley, Washington DC, and New York City, operates as the North American innovation center, facilitating partnerships between Australian researchers and US organizations including Boeing, Google Australia, NASA/JPL, Intuitive Machines, IAEA, NREL, Argonne, and NSF. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales and direct relationship facilitation rather than traditional product distribution; customer segments span Global 1000 enterprises, US federal agencies, research institutions, and startups, with no public commercial revenue figure disclosed.

Name

CSIRO

Legal name

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

Website

https://csiro.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

1926

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CSIRO is Australia's National Science Agency, employing 5,000+ scientists across energy, space, health, environment, and digital technologies, funded by federal appropriations, enterprise R&D contracts, patent licensing, and 170+ spinouts, with a US liaison presence in Silicon Valley.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Research and Development Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Border Security & Homeland Security (BPAIAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Threat & Vulnerability Assessments (TVA) (BPAKADAD), Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) & NERC-CIP Compliance (HDADAJAC)

Keywords

• Scientific research services
• Applied research and development
• National science agency
• Technology licensing and IP
• Industrial innovation partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: CSIRO is Australia's National Science Agency, primarily funded through Australian Government appropriations for national scientific research and development.
2. Research Partnerships and Contracts: Revenue from industry partnerships such as the $10 million Green Metals Innovation Network (GMIN) initiative funded by Australian Government, and the $41 million Boeing 5-year R&D program.
3. Technology Licensing and Spinouts: Revenue from licensing intellectual property and equity returns from over 170+ spinout companies. CSIRO has more than 3,642 patents generating licensing opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

CSIRO is Australia's national science agency, delivering applied scientific research and development across disciplines including minerals and energy, agriculture and food, health and biosecurity, manufacturing, digital and AI, and oceans and atmosphere. It develops proprietary technologies and platforms, licenses intellectual property, operates national research facilities, and partners with government, industry, and academia to translate science into economic, environmental, and social outcomes for Australia.

Product overview

CSIRO is Australia's National Science Agency operating as a research organization rather than a product company. The organization offers a diverse portfolio of scientific technologies, software tools, research facilities, and mission programs rather than a unified product platform. Key offerings include: LandScape+ (mineral discovery software using machine learning), SPARK (bushfire prediction framework), Senaps (sensor data platform), UbiSENSE (urban analytics platform), and seL4 (verified microkernel). CSIRO also operates major research infrastructure including RV Investigator research vessel, Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station, and National Research Collections Australia facility. Mission programs include AquaWatch Australia (water quality), Green Metals Innovation Network (GMIN, $10M green metals initiative), and Ending Plastic Waste Mission ($50M). Data61 serves as the data and digital specialist division developing robotics, AI, and cybersecurity technologies including Wildcat SLAM navigation and RCVD nuclear inspection robots. Technology products include printed flexible solar cells (perovskite-based) and Colvera cancer detection blood test.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Green Metals Innovation Network (GMIN): A $10 million initiative funded by the Australian Government to strengthen industry-research collaboration for Australia's green metals industry including iron, steel, alumina and aluminium sectors
• LandScape+
• AquaWatch Australia
• RV Investigator
• Data61

Products and services

• LandScape+

Quantifiable outcome

• Carbon dioxide levels have increased by more than 20% since 1976 at Cape Grim station
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability18 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and major.

• Indian Institute of SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Research collaboration with CSIRO scientists for large-scale trial at Jindal Steel's plant in Odisha, demonstrating rice husk pellets can partially replace coal in ironmaking.
• Jindal SteelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Host facility for Indo-Aus research trial on farm waste (rice husk pellets) to reduce steel sector emissions. Trial demonstrated 5% and 10% biomass blending maintained stable output.
• National Research Collections AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025New facility in Canberra safeguarding 13 million irreplaceable biodiversity specimens, uniting Australian National Wildlife Collection and other collections for future science.
• HILT CRC (Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2025CSIRO leads Green Metals Innovation Network (GMIN), a $10 million initiative to accelerate development of domestic green metals industry for iron, steel, alumina and aluminium sectors. Partnership brings together research, government and industry in a 'Team Australia' approach under Future Made in Australia agenda.
• Space Machines CompanycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 March 2024Collaboration for space application of CSIRO's printed flexible solar cell technology. Eight mini-modules of perovskite solar cells attached to Optimus-1 satellite launched on SpaceX Transporter-10 mission for world-first space testing.
• Intuitive MachinescoreTechnology or Integration · 1 February 2024CSIRO supporting Intuitive Machines' first Moon mission with Australian lunar expertise and technology contributions.
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration to develop Robotized Cherenkov Viewing Device (RCVD) for autonomous inspection of spent nuclear fuel. RCVD tested successfully in operating nuclear power facility in South America, providing real-time data for safeguards verification.
• DatastartcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Hungarian robotics company partnered with CSIRO Data61 for RCVD hardware development. Seamless integration of Datastart hardware with CSIRO navigation stack demonstrated intercontinental engineering collaboration.
• NSF (National Science Foundation)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2022CSIRO contributing to NSF's Convergence Accelerator program with $11.5 million investment across 16 multidisciplinary teams. CSIRO funding Australian researchers to participate on two US projects focused on circular economy for materials: Designing for Circular Economies and Sustainable Nature-based Nanomaterials for Climate Change Remediation.
• NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2022MoU signing at Sydney Energy Forum for collaboration on renewable energy, electricity grids, hydrogen, and plastic waste. Initial focus on four areas: hydrogen, global power system transformation, plastics, and SME accelerator/incubator program. Builds on existing collaboration in solar, energy resilience, and Global Power System Transformation Alliance.
• Australian Space AgencyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2022CSIRO serves as technology partner for Australian Space Agency, working on space commercialization initiatives to triple size of Australian space industry by 2030. Co-hosted roundtable with major aerospace companies.
• BoeingflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2021Five-year $41 million R&D program covering space commercialization, sustainable aviation fuels, aircraft assembly processes, fire retardants, coatings, and software for data analytics. Partnership has jointly invested over $120 million since 1989 across wide range of projects.
• Google AustraliamajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2021$1 billion Digital Future Initiative investment in Australian infrastructure, research and partnerships. CSIRO partnered with DFAT and Google for blue carbon project at COP27 for Indo-Pacific coastal ecosystem mapping.
• EmesentcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 October 2021CSIRO spinout robotics company contributing to DARPA Subterranean Challenge team. Dr Farid Kendoul, CTO and co-founder, led contributions to advance team's state-of-the-art robotics capabilities.
• Georgia Institute of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021Partner in CSIRO's Data61 team for DARPA Subterranean Challenge. Professor Ronald Arkin from Georgia Tech Mobile Robot Laboratory contributed to research and development over three-year competition period.
• Argonne National LaboratorymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Strategic agreement resulting from CSIRO US outreach. Collaboration incorporated CSIRO UbiSENSE into Array of Things (AoT) solution for enhanced modeling and data analysis capability in Chicago smart city initiative.
• University of ChicagomajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnered with Argonne National Laboratory and City of Chicago on Array of Things (AoT) project - programmable urban sensor network for real-time environmental and air quality data collection.
• University of MelbournecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Associate Professor Robyn Schofield participating in COAST-K voyage on RV Investigator for Southern Ocean atmospheric research alongside CSIRO scientists.
• San Jose State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020Collaboration with CSIRO Data61 scientists on wildfire behavior research using SPARK technology. Research informed by experiences from Australia and California wildfire conditions.
• Planet InnovationcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 July 2020Healthtech innovation company selected as sole Australian licensee of NASA/JPL VITAL ventilator technology. Introduced through CSIRO US and Victorian Government connection to address COVID-19 ventilator needs.
• PATHcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2020International not-for-profit global health organization. CSIRO supplied 6000 vials of antibodies for rotavirus vaccine quality control. Partnership supports development of affordable rotavirus vaccines for low-resource countries.
• Clinical GenomicscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2016Biotechnology company that launched Colvera blood test developed from CSIRO research. Test detects cancer-specific chemical changes in tumor DNA circulating in blood for bowel cancer recurrence detection. Successfully launched in US market.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• UK Catapult Network: Network of UK government-backed technology and innovation centers bridging academia and industry. Comparable to CSIRO as a publicly-funded applied research infrastructure with focus on commercialization and industrial partnerships.
• SRI International: Major US non-profit scientific research institute with deep technology portfolio and spinout track record (Siri, Siri-like AI predecessors). Comparable as a multi-domain research institute that commercializes IP through licensing and spinouts, similar to CSIRO's 170+ spinout model.
• RTI International: US-based independent non-profit research institute delivering science-based solutions across health, energy, and environment. Comparable to CSIRO in its government funding base, multi-domain research, and contract research partnership model.
• MITRE Corporation: Multiple FFRDCs operating across defense, homeland security, and public sector. Comparable to CSIRO as a non-profit government-sponsored entity operating research centers that facilitate cross-organizational technical collaboration.
• Battelle: Largest non-profit applied R&D organization in the US, operating major national labs for the Department of Energy and Department of Defense. Comparable to CSIRO as a large-scale government-affiliated research enterprise with broad domain coverage and partnership facilitation role.

Regional players

• INRIA (US engagements): French national institute for digital science research with growing international partnerships. Comparable to CSIRO as a European national science agency with growing US-facing partnership activity in AI, robotics, and cybersecurity (seL4-adjacent domains).

Direct peers

• Fraunhofer USA: US-facing arm of Germany's Fraunhofer Society, the largest applied research organization in Europe. Directly comparable as a non-profit government-backed research entity that facilitates industrial R&D partnerships and commercialization in the US market.
• Innovation Norway (US): Norwegian government's innovation and business development agency with US presence. Closely comparable to CSIRO US as a foreign national innovation agency operating in the US market to facilitate partnerships and commercialize domestic R&D.
• The Aerospace Corporation: Federally-funded R&D center (FFRDC) for national-security space programs. Comparable to CSIRO's defense/aerospace work (Boeing, NASA, lunar missions) as a government-backed entity providing independent technical support to space and defense customers.

Emerging players

• Main Sequence Ventures: CSIRO-founded deep-tech venture firm now independently managing substantial AUM. Comparable as CSIRO's commercialization vehicle for spinouts; Emesent and other 170+ CSIRO spinouts flow through Main Sequence's investment platform.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xthreads.net/@csirogram
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/csiro
• Facebookfacebook.com/CSIROnews
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/csirousa
• Instagraminstagram.com/csirogram

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CSIRO