An established innovation network of informal grouping of businesses, industry and entrepreneurs. The Business Innovation Network NT (BINNT) is supported by the Northern Territory Business Innovation Strategy, focusing on strengthening the Territory’s business innovation culture and creating a sustainable innovation ecosystem. The strategy outlines the Northern Territory Government’s approach to ignite, inspire and intensify the innovation ecosystem.
Summary
The Business Innovation Network NT is supported by the Northern Territory (NT) business innovation strategy, focusing on strengthening the Territory’s business innovation culture and creating a sustainable innovation ecosystem.
The Territory innovation ecosystem is defined by member’s capacity to, and interest in, exchanging value with other members of the ecosystem in the development and commercialisation of innovation. Members of an ecosystem therefore include a diverse range of parties with an interest in developing and commercialising innovation in an industry sector, field of knowledge, or physical area, including innovators, investors, subject matter experts, suppliers, facility operators and others.
Outcomes
Business Innovation provides secretariat, promotion and concierge services to the following network groups:
- Business Innovation Network NT
Initially established as Mastering Innovation Northern Territory (MINT) in February 2014, as an informal grouping of entrepreneurs interested in pursuing innovation in their businesses and companies and / or guiding and mentoring innovation by others.
As of October 2021 there are 431 members, subscribed to the distribution list.
Monthly e-Newsletters are curated by Business Innovation to inform and engage the network on international, national and Territory Government policy, programs, news, and events.
The purpose of the Business Innovation Network NT is to:
- create partnerships and inform priorities for innovation
- cross-promote and collaborate on activities that support innovation and science engagement initiatives in the Territory
- develop a coordinated approach to the promotion of innovation and science engagement activities in the Territory
- raise awareness and increase finance for innovative programs and activities.
- NT Drones Network
The Drone Industry Network was established in May 2019 by the Business Innovation unit of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade who provide committee secretariat services.
As at 15 October 2021, there are 241 members subscribed to the distribution list and eight committee members.
The committee’s focus is to develop the local drone industry and advocate on behalf of the industry in the NT by driving network activities and sharing emerging industry information with network members and the Territory Government. The Drone Industry Committee has, and continues to meet monthly (with six meetings held since establishment), achieving;
- strategic connections with industry stakeholders including the national peak body, the Australian Association for Unmanned Systems
- two industry events; an industry networking event at Charles Darwin University and an industry briefing prior to the release of the opportunities to grow the drone industry report by EY.
- a further two industry events are planned in Alice Springs and Darwin in conjunction with October Business Month
- establishment of the Top End Testing Ecosystem working group developing a value proposition for the establishment of a drone testing ground
- development of a strategy and terms of reference for the committee.
Purpose: A collaborative group of business, industry, academia and government leading the NT drone industry.
The network identifies collaborative opportunities that can benefit the NT as well as issues that impact the use of drones for business and research. Members work together to provide services and increase opportunities through identifying training, assisting in mentoring, test beddings and facilitating innovation.
The NT is uniquely positioned to grow a specialised drone industry, providing the perfect location to test drone based solutions in remote settings and extreme environmental conditions.
Monthly e-Newsletters are curated by Business Innovation to inform and engage the network on international, national and Territory Government policy, programs, news, and events.
News items:
- 23 September 2021: Can we unlock the sky for healthcare access in the Northern Territory with remotely piloted aircraft systems?
- 23 September 2021: Drone noise regulations - public consultations closing soon
- 21 September 2021: Upcoming opportunity for emerging aviation technology
- Women’s Innovation Network (WIN) NT
Established and launched by the Hon Minister Lauren Moss MLA on 2 December 2020 for the purpose of driving outcomes such as increasing the involvement and representation of Women in Innovation and STEM.
A committee comprising a group of 24 industry representatives meet monthly and are currently working on their strategic plan and terms of reference.
As of October 2021, there are 190 members subscribed to the distribution list.
Purpose: The purpose of the Women’s Innovation Network NT is to increase diversity and gender equity in innovation and STEAMM through retention, attraction and elevation of women. The network is working towards the following outcomes:- representation of women in innovation and STEAMM in the Territory is strengthened
- a pipeline of opportunities and pathways to encourage and attract girls and young women into innovation where STEAMM is embedded
- women are empowered to engage with the Territory’s innovation ecosystem and pursue entrepreneurial availability and visibility of support and development opportunities are increased.
Monthly e-Newsletters are curated by Business Innovation to inform and engage the network on international, national and Territory Government policy, programs, news, and events.News items:
- 19 May 2021: The Women's Innovation Network NT has a new chair
- 9 April 2021: And the winners of the Territory's first ever Women's Innovation Pitch are
- 7 December 2021: Women in Innovation and STEM achievers
- NT Energy Innovation Network
Established and launched by the Hon Minister Paul Kirby MLA on 22 April 2021, to coincide with the Territory series of the National Innovation Games to further accelerate new renewable energy investment. The Territory Government is committed to actively engaging with the renewable energy sector to accelerate new renewable energy investment.
As of October 2021, there are 115 members subscribed to the distribution list with the committee still to be formalised.
The NT Energy Innovation Network aims to:
- engage individuals and organisations vested in renewable energy to share innovative ideas
- identify collaborative renewable energy opportunities that benefit the Northern Territory
- connect members of the network with enquiries made on renewable energy matters
- identify issues that impact the use of renewable energy for business and research
- facilitate innovation through providing a test case for renewable energy technology
Ad-hoc e-Newsletters are curated by Business Innovation to inform and engage the network on international, national and Territory Government policy, programs, news, and events.News items:
- 23 March 2021: NT Energy Innovation Network launched
- 18 August 2021: The NT series of the National Innovation Games gears up for a third and final challenge
- NT Youth Innovation Network
Established to coincide with the Innovation Playground on 26 June 2021, the Northern Territory Government is committed to actively engaging with young people to develop their innovative and entrepreneurial skills in preparation for the jobs of tomorrow.
As of October 2021, there are 76 members subscribed to the distribution list with the committee still to be formalised.
The NT Youth Innovation Network is intended for parents, caregivers, educators and people over 18 with an interest in:
- engaging young people and organisations with an interest in activities which support young Territorians to develop innovation and entrepreneurship skills
- identifying youth focused opportunities that encourage students into STEM fields
- collaborating with, and connecting members of the network to businesses who support youth innovation
- identifying issues that impact STEM and entrepreneurial development and progression
- establishing a safe collaboration space to engage young people with innovation.
Ad-hoc e-Newsletters are curated by Business Innovation to inform and engage the network on international, national and Territory Government policy, programs, news, and events.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, 71 subscribers
- Central Australia, 27 subscribers
- digital technology, 146 subscribers
- robotics and advanced manufacturing, 79 subscribers.
- Clusters
The Business Innovation unit is actively supporting two clusters:
- The Northern Territory Hydrogen Cluster (NTH2)
- Cluster includes Darwin Innovation Hub, Charles Darwin University, Energy Club NT and NERA.
- Seed funding provided by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade for cluster management and options paper for developing hydrogen in the Territory.
- The department has also committed $100,000 funding to support the National Energy Resources Australia's National Hydrogen Cluster in the Territory.
- The Drones for Life Cluster
- Cluster includes Department of Health, Charles Darwin University, Red Lily aboriginal Health Organisation, iMove CRC, Hover UAV.
- The procurement mechanism for the Territory Innovation Challenges Program was successfully tested through this cluster.
The Territory Innovation Challenges Program will support the development of future clusters.- The Northern Territory Hydrogen Cluster (NTH2)