Actions
Inspire

Showcase Northern Territory innovators and entrepreneurs.

Measure

Promotion of Northern Territory (NT) innovators and entrepreneurs during October Business Month and on the Northern Territory Government Innovation website.

Implemented

Summary

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade showcases Territory innovation through a variety of channels including but not limited to: regular news features, newsletters, business bulletins, social media, Business Innovation Network NT events, the department’s small business champions and direct mail outs. This website is regularly updated with the latest information and updates on local business innovation stories, programs, events, services and grants available. Staff additionally promote the development and expansion of the Territory innovation ecosystem in their daily interactions with the general public and Territory businesses.

Outcomes

Promotion of Territory innovators and entrepreneurs occurs through the following events, channels and partnerships:

October Business Month

Now in its 27th year, October Business Month (OBM) has supported Territory businesses by providing access to a month-long program of inspirational and educational events, designed to inspire and grow Territory businesses. Innovation events are now scattered throughout the month in multiple industry focussed event offerings reaching into the regions.

For more information on outcomes relating to innovation and October Business Month review the action item.

This website

More than a website, the digital engagement platform is an interactive ecosystem allowing innovators to easily exchange information and value with each other at much lower discovery and transaction cost than in the past.

Check out what Territory Innovators have been getting up to on this website:

Newsletters

Monthly e-Newsletters are curated to inform and engage the networks on International, National and Territory Government policy, programs, news, and events. Examples of content shared includes: 

Business Innovation Network NT

News items:

 

NT Drones Network

News items:

 

Women’s Innovation Network (WIN) NT

News items:

 

NT Energy Innovation Network

News items: 

 

NT Youth Innovation Network

News items:

 

Other networks in development

We have sought expressions of interest in receiving information on the following priority sectors which have been steadily gathering subscribers as follows:

  • Aboriginal Territorians
  • Central Australia
  • digital technology
  • robotics and advanced manufacturing.


Subscribe

Subscribe to the Business Innovation Network NT to receive event invitations, news and other useful innovation and business correspondence.

Sign up to newsletters

The Women’s Innovation Pitch

The inaugural Women's Innovation Pitch was held in April 2021. Forty applications were received, with six finalists presenting their pitches to a panel of three judges. Three winners were awarded placements in the Business Innovation Program where the co-contribution requirement waived.

News items:

National Innovation Games

Launched on 22 March 2021 by the Hon Paul Kirby MLA with a keynote speech by Eytan Lenko, a technology entrepreneur and thought-leader of clean-energy transition. The Northern Territory (NT) series, included three events, delivered in April, May and September 2021.

The NT series provided a platform to connect Territorian students with business working in innovation, research and development. The series promoted collaboration and new technology, while concurrently delivering unique learning and training opportunities for participants to engage in innovation development relevant to business and the economy.

News items:

Innovation Playground

Delivered in Darwin on 26 June 2021 in partnership with Charles Darwin University, Inspired NT and the City of Darwin, the Innovation Playground was a festival-style attraction designed to excite young people about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and the potential of innovation driven career pathways. One thousand, one hundred and thirty-nine registered attendees participated in workshops and exhibitions which were showcased by 30 local stall holders across robotics, drones, science, ag-tech, gaming, computer tech and 3D printing.

Surveys were completed by 149 attendees at the event which indicated an overwhelming positive response:

  • 89% of respondents rated the event as ‘awesome’ (the remainder rated the event as ‘good’)
  • the pioneering nature of the Innovation Playground was evidenced by 76% of stall holders and volunteers and 50% of the audience stating that this was their 'first time' at a STEM event in the Territory.
     

Stall holders and volunteers took part in the event largely due to their passion for STEM outreach, determining the event an authentic opportunity to showcase their business to the general public and new younger audiences. Ninety-two per cent of stall holders confirmed that they engaged with new audiences during the event.

Next steps

Development of an updated digital engagement platform featuring an interactive ecosystem and member directory is currently underway. The new website will allow innovators to easily exchange information and value with each other at much lower discovery and transaction cost than is currently possible.

Last updated on 21 April 2022
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