Innovation: Victoria’s Future Overview of new ICT & Technology Programs Ballarat, 21 October 2008

Smart SMEs – Market Validation Program Vic Govt Innovation Statement – August 2008 announcement of almost $300m for encouraging technological business innovation Projects to be managed under Innovation & Technology Division: VFL – VicFibreLinks Project ($20m) TAFE Broadband ($20m) VSA – Victorian Science Agenda ($145m) cIIF – Collaborative Innovation Fund ($15m) Boosting Highly Innovative SMEs – Technology Commercialisation Project ($12m) Smart SMEs – Market Validation Program ($28m)

Smart SMEs – Market Validation Program Background: Based on US model – SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Legislated in 1982 as “Small Business Innovation Development Act” Working model – now a multi $bn industry with significant Federal and State support structures Major goals: Stimulate and support SME technology excellence & innovation Use SMEs to meet Govt R&D innovation/technology needs Improve service delivery and efficiency Increase private sector commercialisation as a result

Smart SMEs – Market Validation Program Structure: Vic Govt Depts/agencies identify technology ‘problems’ and develop technical specifications Released to the market via Call for Proposal SMEs respond with solutions to the technology problems Phase I – Feasibility Study. Up to $100k Phase II – Proof of Concept. Typically around $1 – 1.5m

Smart SMEs – Market Validation Program Eligibility: SME = no more than 200 employees and $100m revenue May be Vic, interstate or international company R&D must be undertaken in Vic and head of research must reside in Vic for duration of project engagement May partner or collaborate with another company or University Must be a new technology solution e.g biotechnology, ICT, sensor, RFID, nanotechnology to meet Govt agency requirements

Smart SMEs – Market Validation Program Process: Advertise broadly to agencies, Unis, clusters, associations Vic Govt agencies (e.g Vic Police, Emergency Services, EPA, MFB, CFA, TAC) describe technology/innovation requirement Call for Proposal to test market for a solution SMEs responds with short proposal. Unsolicited proposals not accepted Expert panel and agency to evaluate proposals based on technical merit and commercialisation potential Agency awards SME Phase I funding (approx 6 months) Agency awards SME Phase II funding upon successful Phase I

Smart SMEs – Market Validation Program Benefits: Access to significant R&D funds over 4 years Not a loan Provides recognition, verification and visibility for successful SMEs Leveraging tool to attract further investment capital or research funds Provides export platform IP is held by the SME Delivers economic and intellectual benefits to Victoria

Broadband Development Program Identify opportunities for new and /or improved broadband services, access and effective use in regional areas. Regional Broadband Project Officer – Vivien Ellard Fibre to the premise in new industrial estates Innovative use of NGN services in industry sectors MAV Broadband Project Officer – Tony Gibbs Local government broadband connectivity $2 million MAV Broadband Innovation Fund Broadband Project Manager – Peter Ziebell Innovative uses of broadband by not-for-profits Supported by funding from the Australian Government under the ‘Clever Networks Program’

Broadband Development Program Contacts Vivien Ellard Regional Development Victoria Ph: Mob: Tony Gibbs Municipal Association of Victoria Ph: Mob: Peter Ziebell Multimedia Victoria Ph: Mob:

Collaborative Internet Innovation Fund (cIIF) New $15m grants program aimed at accelerating use of ‘next-gen’ ICT to innovate in Victoria’s government, community and industry sectors Will fund collaborative projects that use next-gen ICT to innovate ways of working or to develop original solutions to challenges, which typically require investment in new technologies, practices and frameworks Two-stage applications process: short-form proposal outlining project idea, then detailed business plan for implementing project 4 year program will open for applications later in 2008 – go to:

Victorian Science Agenda (VSA) VSA is a $145m, 4 year program premised on collaboration between industry and education. It will: focus on strengthening Victoria’s research precincts (e.g. Parkville, Clayton) in priority areas through co-investments from a Strategic Projects Fund ($74.4m) and an Investment Fund ($41m) implement a Science & Community Program to advance community knowledge, engagement and support of science and technology ($4m) establish a new peak advisory structure, the Victorian Innovation and Technology Forum, comprising leading scientists and business representatives ($2m).

VicFibreLINKS  $20m funding  To provide competitive backhaul comms infrastructure in regional areas  greater telecoms product flexibility  reduced costs  Competing fibre and multiple telecoms providers already exist in a number of regional centres including Ballarat  Priority routes: - Geelong to Warrnambool - Bendigo to Mildura via Echuca & Swan Hill  Will investigate feasibility of additional routes (Echuca to Wodonga and West to South Gippsland)  Go to:

Questions?