The State of Innovation in WA
The role of the state government in supporting entrepreneurship, start-ups and SMEs is the focus of a report Breaking new ground: Innovation in Western Australia, published following the parliamentary inquiry into WA’s innovation ecosystem which commenced in 2023. Setting the scene This comprehensive overview shows that while the flourishing start up sector has expanded 6-fold […]
Time for a rethink on government tenders and SMEs
Winning a government tender can be life-changing for an Australian small business. But a perfect storm of conditions, including of a crackdown on badly behaved large consulting firms, means skilled government contractors and consultants are now being replaced with in-house generalists. This not only means government projects miss out on niche expertise, but many small […]
Australia’s 2024-25 innovation budget puts ARENA in the limelight and another R&D review on the table
It was pleasing to see that the Federal Government’s 2024-25 budget has acknowledged the importance of science, innovation and research and development, with Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers noting that the current budget delivers a “transformation of the Australian Economy… and researchers can shape it.” The big economic story for the budget is the announcement of […]
gemaker’s submission to the Productivity Commission’s 5-yearly Inquiry into Australia’s Productivity Performance
Introduction The gemaker team welcomes the opportunity to examine key drivers of national productivity and submit our suggestions for consideration in the Commission’s 5-yearly report to the Treasurer. gemaker Pty Ltd provides expert advice, services and training in research commercialisation and technology transfer. Our senior team members average more than 20 years’ experience in this […]
A better world through education, unity and action
As a country, we are in the unfortunate position of witnessing first-hand what climate change is doing to our home, plants and animals. If we continue with ‘business as usual’ we are condemning our children and children around the world to a future with more severe and devastating storms, food shortages as the plants and […]
Notes from Science Meets Business
This year’s Science Meets Business conference was an inspirational mix of policy, practice and promotion aimed at researchers, policy makers and industry partners. Policy There were four presentations from business and political leaders, discussing the present state of Australia’s innovation system, its future challenges and global performance. While more needs to be done, there is […]
Science meets Parliament: How to influence the impact when worlds collide
It was an enlightening two days that fostered better understanding and relationships between scientists of all walks of life and politicians.
Is Australia’s glass of innovation half full or half empty?
Is Australia’s glass of innovation half full or half empty? I thought, as Science & Technology Australia’s second annual Science Meets Business conference began.
What Australian research and innovation can learn from Iceland’s soccer team
Iceland’s win wasn’t a happy accident. The country made a conscious decision to be good at soccer and invested in the sport.
A Growth Centre by any other name…
According to Department statistics, Australia ranks poorly in regards to overall competitiveness and only places 23 out of 25 OECD countries for business collaborating on innovation and last for business/research collaborations.