Friday 17 September 2010
AIC supports TropLinks Symposium: Linking entrepreneurs and innovators with assistance, investors and international markets
The TropLinks International Symposium, recently held in Cairns, included a range of events including the Neglected Tropical Disease Roundtable and the Australasian Tropical Life Sciences Investment Forum. TropLinks main focus is on tropical expertise and maximising the capacity to develop, commercialise and export this expertise in environmental services, agriculture and health.
The Australian Institute for Commercialisation (AIC) joined and supported the inaugural Symposium as an exhibitor and provided a keynote speaker and panelist.
Robert Buhrke, the AIC's Innovation Coach in North Queensland, was one of the keynote speakers at TropLinks International Symposium and presented an overview of the Queensland Wide Innovation Network (QWIN). Robert explained the different types of assistance that are available to businesses and how entrepreneurs and innovators can access and benefit from the various innovation, commercialisation and export service providers and programs.
The AIC Innovation Coaching program is a joint initiative with the Queensland government Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) under the Q-WIN (Queensland Wide Innovation Network) program which provides innovation coaching services to high-potential small and medium enterprises.
Robert presents the Queensland Wide Innovation Network to delegates
During the four days, private sector companies, research institutions, government and non-government organisations presented their views, products, services and investment opportunities. The trade exhibition area gave delegates an opportunity to interact with and learn more about TropLinks, the AIC, Austrade, Department of Employment Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), Cairns Regional Council, Advance Cairns, Townsville Enterprise and James Cook University (JCU).
Graham Poon, CEO of TropLinks said that 'the TropLinks Business Forum provided an excellent opportunity to network with business representatives locally and internationally.'
Dominic Ward, Principal Project Officer at the Department of Employment Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) said that 'positive comments have arisen regarding speakers' knowledge and commitment to the conference theme and industry issues.'
One of the key outcomes of the TropLinks International Symposium was the formation of renewable energy and education and training industry groups which will collaborate to focus on winning overseas projects.
Other groups (across tropical expertise industry sectors) are currently being formed.
The Symposium also presented a range of networking and business opportunities for the AIC's Innovation Coaching clients by bringing them together with potential collaborators from overseas.
One AIC Innovation Coaching client is now progressing potential business opportunities in Guam due to the connections made during the Symposium.
For further information about Troplinks please visit the website.
For further information about AIC Innovation Coaching and the Queensland Wide Innovation Network please contact 07 3853 5225 or e-mail info@ausicom.com or visit our website.
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