Partnership opportunities

If you’re looking to collaborate, Canberra is the place.

Partnerships and connections are a big part of doing business in Canberra. We’re a small enough city that we get to know people quickly. There’s a lot of help available when you ask.

We partner with:

the Australian Government
Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN)
universities and research institutes
Canberra Business Chamber
businesses and other organisations

If you’re keen to collaborate and form partnerships, you’ll find many opportunities here.

Innovation and start-up partnerships

When you’re in the start-up phase, the ACT Government-funded Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN) can help with partnerships.

It connects businesses, universities and research institutions.

Each year, CBRIN hosts more than 250 events for business innovators where you’ll have the chance to network and connect with other organisations.

The CBRIN board includes members from all ACT institutions. This helps the network create important business partnerships with research institutes from which your business can benefit.

Learn more about CBRIN and partnership opportunities.

Export partnerships

We partner with Austrade to deliver its TradeStart program, which is available to export-ready businesses. They can help connect you with overseas networks and develop trade partnerships.

We have a dedicated TradeStart adviser here in Canberra. We also have a specialist Business Development Manager on the ground in Singapore.

Learn more about the TradeStart program.

New exporters

If you’re new to exporting, for more information and advice, refer to:

Other export partnership help

You can access a range of programs that help support exporters and export-ready businesses.

For more details, refer to our page Export goods and services.

Universities and research institutes

Canberra is Australia’s most educated city. Our 5 world-class universities offer hundreds of programs and thousands of courses. Our universities sit in the world’s top 100, with several in Australia’s top 10.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is Australia’s national science research agency. It’s just one of the bodies connecting students with real-world project opportunities as part of their studies.

Educational institutions work with government and industry to bring together the brightest minds. They work on some of the world’s biggest challenges, presenting many opportunities for partnerships.

International Business Plan Competition (IBPC)

The competition gives you the chance to partner with ANU students to develop their international business plan and strategy. You can then take on interns from the program.

For more details, visit the ANU website.

Canberra Business Chamber

We partner with the Canberra Business Chamber (CBC) on a range of collaborative programs, including:

trade missions and in-bound trade delegations
the Mature Workers Employment Initiative
Healthier Choices Canberra
the Future Leaders Program

For more details, visit the CBC website.

Partner with other business organisations

To build partnerships within an industry where the ACT has strengths, refer to these sector pages:

Office of International Engagement

Our Office of International Engagement is strengthening our place in the world. It connects ACT-based businesses and potential partners in the industry sectors where Canberra has strengths. We’re forging bonds between Canberra and targeted cities around the world to encourage trade.

For more details, refer to our International Engagement Strategy.