The nation’s most prestigious information and communications technology (ICT) research agencies have joined forces with CeBIT Australia 2008, the region’s largest business technology trade exhibition, to create the AusInnovate summit, an event to underwrite Australia’s future prosperity by better exploiting local technology talent in global markets.

AusInnovate is co-organised by the Commonwealth’s peak research and development (R&D) ICT agencies – NICTA, CSIRO ICT Centre, and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) – as a flagship conference within CeBIT Australia 2008.

Hosted by ABC Radio National Breakfast presenter Fran Kelly, a long-time political commentator on ABC television and radio, AusInnovate is a day-long business summit focused on Australian research priorities and commercialisation strategies to improve the nation’s export performance in high-tech goods and services.

“Australia is fortunate to boast some of the most innovative R&D talent in the world, globally recognised leaders in fields as diverse as communications, security, embedded systems and geospatial applications,” said Jackie Taranto, Managing Director of CeBIT organiser Hannover Fairs Australia.

“We are delighted that the cream of this research community – NICTA, CSIRO ICT Centre and the DSTO – have engaged with CeBIT Australia. The AusInnovate event will be the most important R&D event held in Australia this year, because it brings business leaders, investors and entrepreneurs together with the tech industry’s best development brains.”

“We are especially delighted that these agencies have committed to a long-term program with CeBIT Australia, to build Australian technology export success, further contributing to the national prosperity,” Ms Taranto said. “AusInnovate is an important part of the innovation offensive that Australia needs to launch in order to compete and succeed on a world-scale in the ICT sector.”

AusInnovate, to be held on May 20, brings together as speakers and panelists, a constructive mix of researchers, business leaders, and public policy-makers. Confirmed speakers include:

• Senator the Hon. Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
• Jason Calacanis, a serial tech entrepreneur and advisor to Sequoia Capital, the world’s most successful venture capital firm
• Dr Sridhar Vembu, Chief Executive Officer of AdventNet, the creators of ZoHo web-based application suite that is emerging as a serious competitor to Microsoft as a viable enterprise 2.0 technology
• "Dr Isaac Shariv, Director of Sydnovate, the University of Sydney's commercialisation arm. Dr Shariv operated within the efficient Israeli innovation system as for nearly 2 decades, and had a crucial part in many of its successes. prior to joining the University of Sydney, Dr Shariv was CEO of Yeda, the commercialisation arm of the Weizmann Institute of Science. Sales of products that were invented at the Weizmann Institute exceed $10 Billion annually"

Although AusInnovate showcases Australian innovation capability, it is primarily a business-focused event with proceedings aimed at shining a light on the business of innovation. AusInnovate delegates come from research groups and institutions, but also from the entrepreneur, investment management and venture capital industries.

“Australia is a recognised centre of excellence in technology development and innovation. Now we need to improve our commercialisation capability and improve our roads to global markets,” said Dr David Skellern, NICTA Chief Executive Officer.

“AusInnovate will help integrate Australia’s innovation capacity into our commercial infrastructure and take our ideas to the world,” he said.

Heavy Business Technology Focus

CSIRO ICT Centre Director and CSIRO Group Executive Dr Alex Zelinsky said: “AusInnovate gives our specialist researchers a chance to get a deeper understanding of the needs of potential private sector development partners, and to ensure there are open lines of communications with the entrepreneur and investment communities.”

“The ICT research and development community is a national asset, but it is an asset that is only realised when our innovations reach the market. To contribute to the national priority we need close and ongoing contact with commercial partners,” Dr Zelinsky said.

Because CeBIT Australia’s heavy business technology focus attracted large numbers of business visitors, it was a natural partner for the research groups seeking to better engage with business.

“Intellectual Property is the life-blood of modern economies,” said Deputy Chief Defence Scientist (Information and Weapon Systems) of DSTO, Dr Warren Harch. “The ability to innovate, and to capitalise on innovation not only contributes national wealth creation, but also underpins productivity improvements and efficiency gains across all industries.”

“DSTO has a long history of working with private sector partners, and we are excited to be a part of AusInnovate to broaden our commercial relationships and to explore new opportunities for cooperation and partnership,” Dr Harch said. CeBIT Australia attracts 750+ business technology exhibitors and more than 35,000 prequalified business visitors, making it the largest and most important business technology event in the region.

In addition to AusInnovate, CeBIT Australia plays host to six specialist business technology conferences, as well as a series of technology forums and seminars featuring more than 150 local and global experts.