The pilot Innovator in Residence (IiR) program was established in September 2017 and was facilitated by Helen Ujvary MBA MSc MSc GAICD.
Through the IiR program, 12 industry sectors were engaged and over 151 appointments were held with 105 different businesses and entrepreneurs. The IiR program covered six regions across the Northern Territory, upskilling and supporting early stage and start-up businesses through professional mentoring and advice.
Key challenges raised by businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the program were marketing and market research assistance; intellectual property management; access to finance and technical assistance with prototyping. The program also provided key introductions to innovation ecosystem partners including AusIndustry, Darwin Innovation Hub, Business Enterprise Centre, Charles Darwin University, The University of Adelaide and many more.
Martin Kane from Territory business Darwin Solar, found the program of great benefit to his business,
“Having access to an internationally experienced consultant like Helen gave us considerable confidence that we were on the right track.”
Martin says that the Innovator in Residence “very quickly grasped the business opportunity and was able to advise us on several key aspects in our first meeting, and was the catalyst that drove us to explore other options.
“Our experience with the Northern Territory Department of Trade, Business and Innovation has been extremely positive and the Innovator in Residence program is another example of their refreshing approach to helping business's develop in the NT”, he said.
Keith Jury from Darwin Solar went on to win the $100,000 prize money at the Croc Pitch competition on 9 October 2018 for his solar-powered product business SolFlow out of 34 companies pitching at the Darwin Innovation Hub.
Following the success of the IiR program to date, the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation are now in the planning stage to establish a permanent Innovator in Residence program to continue to ignite, inspire and intensify business innovation across the Territory.