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Australia–India innovation and investment initiative
Helping Australian small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) invest in India through foreign direct investment strategies. Join our Maitri-funded initiative to unlock opportunities through practical workshops, resources and mentoring.
What is the initiative?
The Deakin SME Research Centre has received $340,000 through the Australian Government’s Maitri Grant to lead a program strengthening innovation ties between Australia and India.
The initiative supports Australian SMEs to engage with India’s innovation ecosystem through foreign direct investment strategies, focusing on high-impact sectors like artificial intelligence, robotics and pharmaceuticals.
The initiative will deliver a series of practical workshops, policy white papers, case studies and a targeted roadshow in India scheduled for 2027 – equipping Australian companies with the tools and insights needed to invest and innovate successfully in the Indian market.
Investing in India’s innovation centres workshops
This series of free workshops is designed to raise awareness, develop capabilities and encourage strategic thinking among Australian SME leaders in the AI, robotics, pharmaceuticals and/or health sectors regarding opportunities in India’s innovation ecosystem.
Participants will investigate FDI possibilities, comprehend regulatory and cultural landscapes and learn how to navigate challenges to maximise the benefits of partnering with Indian innovation centres.
What you’ll learn
The free workshops will consist of a short pre-learning module, three half-day workshops and a small group mentoring session:
- online readings and short videos (pre-learning)
- three face to face half day workshops spread over two weeks (3.5 hours each)
- one small group mentoring session conducted three weeks post-workshops (1 hr)
Total time commitment: approximately 15 hours, including 11.5 hours of live, facilitated learning.
Workshop outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will understand key opportunities within India’s innovation ecosystem, including:
- how Australian SMEs can create value through AI, robotics and health-sector collaborations
- understand market entry considerations, business models, regulatory requirements and common barriers to foreign direct investment
- develop culturally responsive approaches, analyse real case studies and assess resource needs
- draft a high-level industry opportunity/strategy map aligned to their business goals
- mentoring to refine and strengthen their map, ensuring it is practical, realistic and actionable for their organisation’s innovation goals in India.
Course modules
Each module in the workshops are designed to provide practical insights and strategies to help Australian SMEs successfully invest in India’s innovation ecosystem.
- Module 1: Opportunities for SMEs – Indian Innovation Landscapes (Overview of AI, Robotics and Health sectors – innovation centres in India)
- Module 2: Business Models for FDI and Market Entry Strategies (Strategic Models for FDI, entry modes, comparative analysis and decision-making)
- Module 3: Regulations and Compliance: Australia and India (Bilateral investment policies and legal frameworks)
- Module 4: Barriers and Enablers (Practical solutions, resource mapping and support networks)
- Module 5: Cultural Intelligence and Case Studies (Understanding cross-cultural issues and strategies for success with real cases)
- Module 6: Action Planning (Drafting a high-level investment roadmap)
Small group mentoring session tailored to your business’s investment roadmap
Course calendar
Our first intake will commence in March 2026, with places available for up to 20 Australian SMEs in the AI, robotics, and health/pharmaceuticals sectors.
The March workshops will be delivered in person at Deakin’s Downtown campus in Melbourne’s CBD, with additional intakes planned for the second half of 2026 in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.
March 2026 intake schedule:
- Day 1: Tue 10 March, 4:00–7:30pm (Melbourne AEDT)
- Day 2: Wed 11 March, 4:00–7:30pm (Melbourne AEDT)
- Day 3: Tue 17 March, 4:00–7:30pm (Melbourne AEDT)
- Mentoring Session: Wed 8 April, 5:00–6:00pm (Melbourne AEDT)
Frequently asked questions
Find quick answers to the most commonly asked questions below.
Yes. To get the most out of the program and receive recognition of completion, participants must attend all three workshops and mentoring session, as well as the online self-paced e-learning.
This will depend on the delivery platform and privacy guidelines. If recordings are available, information will be provided to registered participants.
Yes. Additional intakes will be announced for workshops in the second half of 2026. Please send us an email so we can add you to the waitlist for upcoming intakes.
Please notify us at smeresearchcentre@deakin.edu.au. While live attendance is strongly encouraged, options may be available depending on your intake.
Register now
Email the Deakin SME Research Centre
