2. Chris Hanger
A/Executive Director
Investment & Export Services
Welcome Address
Collaborative Solutions - Online & Interactive Education - Pitching & Networking Event - 5 December 2013
Notes de l'éditeur
Thank you Chris….Collaborative Solutions is just one of the funding elements under Innovate NSW.The focus of the program is to develop solutions that are: B2B… innovative… use enabling technologies… And address a compelling need… in one the identified sectors.We also consider projects being developed for other sectors -- where the applicant can demonstrate its valueto the NSW economy.We consider enabling-technologies to be technologies (or new uses for existing technologies) that enable new products, services, or more efficient processes.Examples of these are -- mobile, cloud, analytics, sensors, advanced materials, and biosciences.
So first of all, a quick snapshot of the program elements:Minimum viable product – provides funding for development to the stage where basic functionality can be demonstrated to a potential business customer.TechVouchers – assists technology developers to engage NSW researchorganisations to help with the early stage research and development of your solution.And Collaborative Solutions – which supports the full-scale development and piloting of a solution.
We use the same four evaluation criteria for all of the Innovate NSW funding elements:Innovation – how is this innovative beyond current offerings, and what need does it addressBusiness model – is it sustainable, and is there capacity to scale the solutionSector benefits – are there tangible benefits for sectorNSW benefits – this is potential jobs created, revenue, and export, as well as benefits for NSW
To apply for any of the Innovate NSW funding elements, submit an expression of interest through the Preliminary Assessment Form under ‘How to Apply’ on the Innovate NSW program page(COLIN ---- CLICK ON SCREEN SHOT – or right click and select “open hyperlink”. This goes directly to the prelim assess form).After you submit the expression of interest, one of ourBusiness Advisors will contact you. They will discuss your solution and determine if there is an appropriate funding elementthat you might apply for.If invited to apply for a grant, the forms will be sent to you, and your business advisor will help you through the process.There are several business advisors in the room (ask them to raise hands). Feel free to ask them questions during the break and at lunch.
Now onto Collaborative Solutions…. The program was launched in 2010, and was previously run in ‘rounds’ focused on different sectors.Now that it’s under the umbrella of Innovate NSW, applicants can submit an expression of interest at any time, for solutions being created across any of the key sectors we’ve identified.Applicants form consortia to address opportunities and challenges brought about by emerging technologies. This leads to the development and trial of new solutions to test technologies in the field, and accelerate the shift to new business models.
Each applicant must form a consortium consisting of:A lead company – this is a technology SME with the ability to develop and commercialise the solutionAt least one partner company that will provide additional technology, research capabilities, or assistance to scale the solutionA pilot business customer – a business end-user in a key sector that is willing to test the solution This consortia model of Lead, Partner, and Pilot Organisation is designed to build relationships that deliver a solution with a strong opportunity for commercial success.
The Lead of the consortia manages the project and coordinates the integration of the various parts of the solution.The Pilot organisation provides a place to test the solution and valuable feedback. They are not committed to purchase the product, but to help guide the product development.Partners are essentially any business that will provide: additional technology, research capabilities, or assistance to scale the solution.
These are some of the benefits for the Pilot Organisation.It’s an opportunity for a business to gain early access to innovative solutions, trial something new before fully committing to purchase, and improve their services and delivery.
So essentially… a collaborative solutions project is:B2B, innovative, scalable, and done in the spirit of collaboration. It is not:B2C, supporting pure research, a client-vendor arrangement, a path to government procurement, or bespoke.
This slide illustrates the variety of consortia that have been supported through Collaborative Solutions.If you’d like more details about the solutions developed in each of these groups, there is a flyer at the top of the Collaborative Solutions webpage withdetails about each consortia.We look forward to seeing your presentations today, and hope you form interesting partnerships in the future.We’ll now hear from Julian Bickersteth, Director of Smarttrack RFID, who will discuss a previously funded project called Locamate.
