Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN) is Australia’s leading example of a city-based innovation ecosystem designed to integrate research and education with entrepreneurship to support economic diversification in a single collaborative platform. Founded in 2014 by five of the nation's premier research and education institutions - the Australian National University (ANU), the University of Canberra (UC), University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra, Commonwealth Science and Industrial research Organisation (CSIRO), Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) and backed by the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government and private sector partners ( KWM, PwC, Optus, Canberra Airport and Academy of Interactive Entertainment), CBRIN aligns public investment and world-class science and education with entrepreneurial ambition.

What sets CBRIN apart is its systemic city-wide reach: it is not a single university initiative nor a science-technology park, but a deliberately neutral, high-trust connector active across all sectors and all campuses within the city. Its programs directly assist over 150 companies per year, from students and first-time founders to deep tech and scaling-up ventures offering structured access to prize money, grants and capital (e.g. InnovationACT competition for all higher education students across the city, or Innovation Connect grants), targeted accelerators (GRIFFIN Accelerator for high-growth ventures, the Mill House Ventures for social entreprises), expert mentoring, peer support (e.g. ScaleUp Leaders and SME Programs), innovation-focused coworking and collaborative innovation (hackathons, makerspace network, and collaboration labs and initiatives, such as AI colab).

CBRIN hosts more than 250 events annually, engaging over 11,000 participants (incuding at regular events such as First Wednesday Connect, Female Founders and Innovation Showcases) and supported more than 1,600 innovation jobs in Canberra in 2024. Its physical presence spans from startup coworking to a SME and Scale-up Hubs, co-funded by the ACT Government to support high-growth firms commercialising advanced technology from Canberra’s knowledge institutions.

With an annual economic impact of $197M (2024 Impact Report) CBRIN has a bold ambition: to make Canberra the most connected and effective small-city innovation ecosystem in the world- where ideas move efficiently from lab to market, and entrepreneurship is embedded across research, education and the entire community.

Petr Adamek
CEO
Canberra Innovation Network



Dr Craig Davis
GM Growth
Canberra Innovation Network



Sharyn Smith
Chief Operating Officer
Canberra Innovation Network



Hala Batainah
Chair
Board of Directors,  Canberra Innovation Network



Andrew Barr MLA
Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory
Member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly



Kareena Arthy
Deputy Director General, Economic Development
Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate,  Australian Capital Territory Government



Professor Michelle Lincoln
Deputy Vice Chancellor
Director, Canberra Innovation Network,  University of Canberra



Dr Ed Bertram
Head of Strategic Partnerships
Director, Canberra Innovation Network,  Research, Partnerships and Translation, Australian National University



Professor Andrew Neely
Associate Dean, Research Engagement
Director, Canberra Innovation Network,  University of New South Wales, Canberra



Dr Margot McNeill
CEO
Director, Canberra Innovation Network,  Canberra Institute of Technology



Ilea Buffier
Founder
Evalue8 Sustainability,  Director, Canberra Innovation Network, Member, CBRIN Advisory Committee



Michelle Jasper
Associate Professor
Australian National University; Director, Canberra Innovation Network; Chair, CBRIN Advisory Committee



Annabel Griffin
Partner
King & Wood Mallesons, Member, CBRIN Advisory Committee



Sylvia Tulloch AM
Diector and mentor
Griffin Accelerator



Tony Henshaw
first Chair
Canberra Innovation Network

The Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN) acknowledges the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of Canberra and this region.

CBRIN acknowledges the long-term and ongoing commitment and investment by our Foundation Members, namely the Australian National University, the Canberra Institute of Technology, University of Canberra and University of New South Wales Canberra. Further acknowledgment goes to our major long-term funder and provider of accommodation and innovation grants funds, the ACT Government with special thanks and recognition of the leadership provided by Chief Minister Andrew Barr and the ACT Government’s Economic Development team led by Kareena Arthy.

CBRIN would also like to thank its sponsors, namely Gold Partners Optus, PwC, King & Wood Mallesons and the Canberra Airport, as well as its Education Partners, Academy of Interactive Entertainment.

In addition, we would like to acknowledge the CBRIN current and former Stakeholder Advisory Committee members not mentioned above Kavin Arnasalon, Catherine Carter, Andrew Sutton, Melissa Evans, Michele Troni, Marcus Dawe, Joel Madden, Tori Murray, Mathew Wilson, Belinda Newham, Sarah D’Arcy, John De Margheriti, Professor Lachlan Blackhall, Alex Smith, Doug Stuart and Shane Hill. We would also like to recognise the support of leaders (not mentioned above) of the institutions that are invested in CBRIN, including Hon Bill Shorten, Vice Chancellor of the University of Canberra, Professor Genevieve Bell, Vice Chancellor, Australian National University, Professor Emma Sparks, Rector UNSW Canberra and Christine Robertson, former interim CEO of the Canberra Institute of Technology and Kate Lundy, Chair, Canberra Institute of Technology. Massive thanks to our first CEO Dr Sarah Pearson and first Chair Tony Henshaw as well as our inaugural Foundation Member representatives Professor Mick Cardew-Hall, Professor Frances Shannon, Dr Michael Frater, Lindsay Adler and Dr Phil Robertson. We would like to also acknowledge our ecosystem partners including the Griffin Accelerator for high growth startups, the Mill House Ventures for social enterprises, Badji Program by Coolamon Advisors for First Nations entrepreneurs, CSIRO, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, the ANU Agrifood Innovation Institute, Canberra Cyber Hub, Canberra Business Chamber, Capital Angels, Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre, Innovation Central at the University of Canberra, Launch at UNSW Canberra, Campus Plus, Screen Canberra, Hands Across Canberra, AI Colab, as well as Office of International Engagement of the ACT Government and many others we no longer have space to thank here. We work daily with lots of great keystone people, experienced entrepreneurs and supporters and would like to acknowledge especially Nick McNaughton, Marcus Dawe, Ken Kroeger, Tim Hirst, Sylvia Tulloch and Anne-Marie Perrett. Last but not least, nothing of what we do or achieve would be possible without the amazing, dedicated, committed and passionate team of the Canberra Innovation Network staff, present and past, other mentors, investors, advisors and all entrepreneurial people in our community.