Program reviewed with recommendations implemented.
Summary
The Innovator in Residence (IiR) was a standalone service provided in parallel by one consultant based in South Australia prior to 2018. There was no integration with other programs such as the Business Innovation Support Initiatives and Mastering Innovation North Territory. In 2018 the Business Innovation Program (BIP) was launched integrating IiR advice with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade's funding and innovation ecosystem services.
IiRs are experts who combine experience in innovation, start-ups, entrepreneurialism, development and commercialisation, with knowledge of the Territory innovation ecosystem. An IiR holds one-on-one sessions with innovators as part of the BIP. Participants are put in touch with the relevant IiR as they progress through stages in the BIP.
The service aims to increase the survival rate of small business, help commercialise research and development, create and retain jobs in the Territory, improve the local economy, and increase opportunities for partnerships between the public and private sector. For information on the current IiR’s including their background and experience, refer to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade website.
Outcomes
- Business Innovation Program
The Business Innovation Program aims to assist Territory businesses to develop and commercialise business innovation concepts, driving opportunities to grow private investment and create jobs through innovation. Innovators in Residence provide support to applicants in their planning, development and commercialisation phases of the start-up journey. The role of the IiR was incorporated into BIP as a complete, wrap-around program for facilitating innovation. The IiR role is performed by:
- Doug Adamson (planning, stage 1)
- Steve Rogers (development, stage 2)
- Geoff Thomas (commercialisation, stage 3)
- Emma Nesbitt (commercialisation, stage 3).
Aboriginal and remote Territorians are supported by IiR Dr Dan Tyson, Chief Executive Officer of the Desert Knowledge Precinct together with his Desert Knowledge Australia IiR colleague Jamie Toyne.
- Innovator in Residence (Aboriginal Business Innovation)
Funding was provided to Charles Darwin University (CDU) by the Department of Industry Tourism and Trade to provide Aboriginal Northern Territory (NT) businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs with access to an expert (specifically, Professor Ruth Wallace) to undertake the provision of advice on behalf of CDU for Aboriginal businesses undertaking innovation.
Outcomes identified:
- identify opportunities for collaboration between the private and public sectors with a specific focus on Aboriginal business enhancement
- increase the survival rate and profitability of small and medium NT Aboriginal businesses
- help commercialise research and development opportunities for Aboriginal businesses, to contribute to the economic growth of the NT
- achieve a number (agreed by the Territory) of business engagements held and a breakdown of regional locations and industry sectors.
In partnership with the Northern Institute, the department provided funding to Aboriginal business innovation projects identified through the Aboriginal Innovation Alliance process. The Northern Institute appointed Mr Murray Saylor and Ms Julie-ann Lambourne of Tagai Management Consultants (TMC) as CDU’s Innovators in Residence (Aboriginal STEM).
In their role as CDU Innovators in Residence Julie-ann and Murray provided their expert advice to NT Aboriginal businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs undertaking innovation. Their expertise in the area of commercialisation is highly valuable to the program.
Next Steps
Following an evaluation and review of the Business Innovation Program in 2020, agreements between IiR and the start-up may be required to provide more than just advice. The goal being to diversify the Territory innovation ecosystem further.