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General Enquiries: Phone 1800 244 650 • Email: business.mailbox@act.gov.au

 

This newsletter provides current news and events on the programs and activities the Business and Industry Development Branch of the Chief Minister’s Department delivers to the ACT business community.

GETTING YOUR EVENT TO BE PART OF BUSINESS IN FOCUS MONTH

Business In Focus Month is an exciting new initiative for the ACT business community. It is a month-long program of business events that will come together in September 2009, showcasing local capability and providing learning activities for firms and business people. It is based on a model where existing and new events are branded and promoted centrally and conceived around key themes. Business In Focus Month aims tobuild better businesses by improving awareness and access to information and services and providing opportunities to cultivate and strengthen networks through a wide range of high quality business events on offer throughout the month.

The Business and Industry Development Branch is now seeking expressions of interest from organisations and institutions looking to participate in BIFM. Options for involvement include: conception and hosting of events; promotion to members and affiliates; sponsorship; and other in-kind activities.

For further information please visit the Business and Industry Development Website at: Business In Focus Month.

To register your interest in participating in the first Business In Focus Month, contact—

• Maryanne Honeyman
  Business and Industry Development Branch
  Chief Minister’s Department
  Phone: (02) 6205 8602
  Email: maryanne.honeyman@act.gov.au

WE ARE LOOKING FOR NEW EXPORTERS …

The Export Census Project is looking to uncover ACT exporters that are ‘under the radar’. The last month has seen our consultants McKinna et al talking to individual companies and also hosting sectors in focus group discussions. The project is now moving in to the new data discovery phase and we are particularly keen to hear from exporters that we normally don’t connect to through our regular contact channels e.g. companies that might be operating a web-based business, services exporters, and so on. The Census is attempting to build a more complete picture of the ACT export community, to inform policy and program design, and to help build supportive networks for companies operating internationally.

There will be notices in the Canberra Times seeking companies to participate in a short online questionnaire. The survey itself is anonymous and all respondents will go into a draw to win export development related prizes.

If you would like to take part in the survey you can email: strategicinsights@
mckinna.com.au. Alternatively, phone Mr Merlin Kong from the Business and Industry Development Branch on 6207 1641, if you require any further information about the Census project.

InnovationConnect (ICon) PROGRAM

The InnovationConnect (ICon) grant program has now delivered over $300,000 to 13 successful applicant ACT companies in 2008/09. The program assists the ACT’s small businesses and creative innovators to further develop their concepts or products to a stage of investment readiness or commercialisation. There are two main funding components that cover these stages – Proof of Technology (Prestart-Up Stage) and Accelerating Innovation (Start-up and Growth).

There are two assessment panel meetings left in 2009 and some funding is still available for the acceleration of good business ideas through this program. Business and Industry Development Branch Client Managers are able to assist companies through the application process.

For information on the program, visit the Business and Industry Development Branch Website at: InnovationConnect.

GFC AND GREEN BUSINESS ON THE AGENDA AT NATIONAL BUSINESS POLICY FORUMS

The Business and Industry Development Branch has taken part in several national business program and policy development forums over the past month. The March meeting of the National Executive of Small Business Agencies (NESBA) was an opportunity for the state governments and the Commonwealth to share information on small business programs and policy approaches. The NESBA meeting had a [not-unexpected] focus on policy responses to the Global Financial Crisis and also emerging ‘green’ business issues. The March meeting of the Industry Capability Network Board focused on how the ICN network (which links firms to projects) can best provide assistance to the planned infrastructure and construction associated with the Commonwealth Government’s Stimulus Package.

SKILLED AND BUSINESS MIGRATION SHIFTING GROUND

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) held a meeting of the Commonwealth Skilled Working Party (CSWP) on 19 March 2009. The CSWP has representatives from the Commonwealth and all states/territories and meets three times a year to discuss current skilled migration visa grant issues. The main issues discussed at this meeting related to the measures that the Commonwealth and various jurisdictions have taken to deal with labour market issues affected by the economic downturn. The main changes made by DIAC are a tightening of the Critical Skills List by the removal of traditional trade occupations and a re-ordering of visa processing priorities. At this stage, applicants who are sponsored by employers or state/territory governments, or whose occupation is on the Critical Skills List, receive priority processing. The ACT Government’s program is also adjusting internal assessment processes to deal with the changing nature of labour demand in the ACT.

FUNNELBACK OPENS NEW OFFICE

On 17 March the Chief Minister officially opened the new Dickson office of local ICT company Funnelback. The company, which was established in 2005, has developed world class search technology for organisational websites, intranets and databases. The technology was originally developed jointly by the ANU and CSIRO and commercialised through Funnelback.

Funnelback’s search service lies behind the Australian Government’s main website (www.australia.gov.au) and approximately 50 other Australian Government agency websites. Funnelback has also recently moved its data centre capacities from the USA to the TransACT data centre. Funnelback’s corporate clients include the ASX, Westpac, ABC, CareerOne, ninemsn, NCR Canada. Closer to home, Canberra Connect and the Chief Minister’s Department employ Funnelback technology.

MAPPING LOCAL SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES, PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

As part of the ACT’s involvement in the national Industry Capability Network (ICN), the Business and Industry Development Branch is contributing to a mapping exercise on Australia’s capability in the solar technologies sector (research, technology development, product and service delivery). This exercise will allow ACT business and industry to tap into opportunities that arise in the solar industry sector.

If you are an ACT entity that is already involved in this industry, or interested in moving into the solar energy sector, please contact:

• Robert Holgate
  Business and Industry Development Branch
  Chief Minister’s Department
  Phone: 6205 5287
  Email: robert.holgate@act.gov.au

FUNDING SUPPORT FOR ACT EXPORTERS

The TradeConnect (TCon) grant program assists ACT companies build export opportunities small ‘step-up’ funding grants that facilitate access to professional services and support ‘in market’. All funding is on a reimbursement basis and excludes travel and accommodation expenses.

The next bi-monthly assessment for eligible TCon grants will be held during the last week of May. Companies who are interested in applying for funding should do so as soon as possible. Business and Industry Development Branch Client Managers are able to assist companies through the application process.

For information on the grant program, visit the Business and Industry Development Branch Website at: TradeConnect.

LIGHTHOUSE BUSINESS INNOVATION CENTRE OPENS NEW PREMISES

Chief Minister and Minister for Business and Economic Development, Jon Stanhope officially opened the new premises of the Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre on 4 March 2009.

The Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre was formed as a partnership between the ACT Government and Epicorp. Its mandate is to attract high-growth business and early stage investment opportunities from existing local industry, research institutions and individual entrepreneurs in ICT and creative design sectors. It also provides an advisory service function to help develop ‘investment-ready' companies.

Emerging entrepreneurs and existing small businesses in the Territory's technology and creative sectors are encouraged to utilise the services of the Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre.

Lighthouse is well positioned to become a leading vehicle for facilitating early stage commercialisation of the many innovative and creative initiatives undertaken by the Territory's leading institutions, including the CSIRO, the ANU and University of Canberra and is in the business of converting good ideas into sustainable commercial entities.

Lighthouse can be contacted on (02) 6163 8300 or email: enquiries@lighthouseinnovation.com.au

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR ACT COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE IN CEBIT AUSTRALIA 2009

CeBIT Australia 2009, to be held in Sydney from 12–14 May 2009, is the region’s leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) event for the business marketplace.

Hannover Fairs Australia, the organisers of CeBIT Australia, have put together a package, priced at $2,270 + GST, for ACT companies interested in having a booth in the ‘Start-up Alley’ at CeBIT. Other booth and stand options are available at an additional cost.

For further information and bookings, please contact Moraima Vizcaino at Hannover Fairs by phone on (02) 9282 7502 or email: moraima.vizcaino@hannoverfairs.com.au.

ACT companies exhibiting at CeBIT may be eligible for ACT Government assistance through its TradeConnect Program. For more information, please phone Laura Hartley on 6205 3051, or email: Laura.Hartley@act.gov.au.

CeBIT Australia 2009 is also Austrade’s key domestic event for trade and investment in ICT. Austrade's international network of ICT business development managers and investment specialists attend CeBIT where possible, bringing with them international customers and potential investors. Austrade runs a business matching program for these customers and investors, enabling them to meet with our clients, as well as seeing the range of Australian ICT capability at the show. If you would like to participate in Austrade’s international business matching program, register your interest by email to: export-ict@austrade.gov.au.

To register to attend CeBIT Australia, click: Here.

For more information about CeBIT Australia, please visit their website at: www.cebit.com.au.

DOING BUSINESS WITH DEFENCE SEMINAR

The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) is conducting a briefing for local industry in Queanbeyan on 22 April on how to do business with the Department of Defence. Business and Industry Development has offered to help publicise the briefing to firms across the region.

The briefing is aimed at business operators who want to find out about business opportunities in the Defence sector. Learn where Defence and the DMO sit within the Federal Government structure, the basics of Government Procurement, the best ways to engage with Defence and how to prepare your company to take advantage of potential business opportunities. The DMO is interested in talking to businesses from across all industry sectors.

Date: Wednesday 22 April 2009
Time: 4.45 pm for 5 pm to 6.30 pm
Venue: Queanbeyan Conference Centre, QCC Chambers, 253 Crawford St, Queanbeyan NSW 2620
Note: There is no cost to attend

Representatives from the DMO will be available for private appointments the following day to discuss with you in more detail any opportunities identified for your business.

To register for the briefing or a private meeting on the 23^rd of April, please email Jodi Blood at: dmobao.nswact@defence.gov.au; or phone (02) 6265 4959 by 9 April 2009.

FEDERAL FUNDING BOOST FOR START-UP COMPANIES AND JOBS

Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research announced on 18 March that the Australian Government would provide up to $83 million to early stage start-up companies—who have been starved of funds due to the global financial crisis.

The Innovation Investment Follow-on Fund (IIFF) is about ensuring a future beyond the financial crisis for our best and brightest start-up companies. The companies that could benefit from this fund employ at least 1000 people in high-skill, high-wage jobs. In order to help these firms ride out the financial storm, $83 million will be offered in follow-on funding to over 20 venture capital fund managers licensed by the Commonwealth under existing programs. The fund managers will use this money to invest in innovative firms bringing promising new technologies and services to market.

The IIFF is one of a number of initiatives the Federal Government has announced to assist the flow of capital into Australian firms. The Review of the National Innovation System called for action to improve the supply of venture capital in Australia. The review emphasised the importance of a functioning venture capital market to a healthy innovation system.

It is essential that fledgling companies are given help to ride out the crisis. Funds will flow to companies as soon as possible.

For further information please contact the IIFF team via the AusIndustry Hotline on
13 28 46, or email: venturecapital@innovation.gov.au.

TEAM AUSTRALIA AT IMDEX ASIA 2009

IMDEX Asia is a significant biennial maritime defence exhibition and conference conducted in Singapore. IMDEX Asia 2009 is programmed to be held at the Singapore Expo site in the period 12-14 May 2009. The Defence Export Unit (DEU) of the Department of Defence will be facilitating an Australian national stand at the exhibition under the Team Australia banner and exhibitors will be assisted in engaging with potential customers through the presence of the DEU’s naval specialist, Rear Admiral Brian Adams.

Participation is invited from Australian companies engaged in the maritime and defence sectors which are looking to access export markets in the South East Asian region.

For further information visit the Team Australia Website at: Events.

Enquiries and expressions of interest in joining Team Australia at IMDEX Asia 2009 should be directed to Ken Finlay—

• Phone: (02) 6127 2740; or
• Email: ken.finlay@defence.gov.au.

2009 TELSTRA BUSINESS AWARDS OPEN FOR APPLICATION

Nominations for the 2009 Telstra Business Awards are now open and they’re looking for inspiring business stories from around the country.

The awards recognise the achievements of small to medium business enterprises, with five award categories to choose from.

By entering the awards a business can:

• gain national exposure to new customers and potential partners;
• review and refine their strategic direction; and
• celebrate their achievements with staff.

For further information or to nominate your business or a business you know, visit the Telstra Business Awards website, by clicking: Here.

NATIONAL COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRE CONFERENCE COMES TO CANBERRA

The Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Association’s annual conference is being held in Canberra at the National Convention Centre from 26 to 28 May 2009. The conference is a collaboration between the CRC Association, the Australian Science Festival, and Questacon (the National Science and Technology Centre).

Entitled ‘Pathfinders – The Innovators Conference’, it will focus predominately on how investment in innovation is a necessity if we are to prepare our economy for a strong future beyond this (and future) global financial shocks.

For further information and to register online, visit: www.crca.asn.au/conference.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON MATTERS IN THIS NEWSLETTER

For further information on any of the above news items, or to make an enquiry, please contact us by—

• Phone: 1800 244 650; or
• Email: business.mailbox@act.gov.au.

A full description of the Business and Industry Development Branch’s programs can be viewed at: www.business.act.gov.au

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