Small Businesses realise business benefits through cross-sector accelerator program
Representatives from 14 leading mining technology businesses have met online for the final session of the Quantum Technology Exchange accelerator program.
The session comes two weeks after a pitching competition and ‘demo day’ where the SMEs successfully demonstrated their mining technology applications to industry executives and an expert judging panel in Brisbane.
Funded by the Queensland Government and delivered in partnership with METS Ignited, QuantumTX has facilitated capability building, collaboration exchange, expert mentoring and networking with industry experts from mining, defence, agriculture and space.
Program facilitators, Atomic Sky and Imvelo said the program has developed the commercialisation pathways for 14 of the state’s most promising technology companies servicing the mining industry.
The valuable workshops gave access to 46 expert speakers in a range of online workshops, delivered over a 12-week period which covered business development, industry insights, and formed key connections.
“Industry 4.0 is driving a convergence of technologies that offer productivity and safety benefits to multiple sectors. There is an enormous opportunity for companies to scale their business offerings across multiple industries. The intensive QuantumTX program developed knowledge sharing, new networks and commercial pathways. I am very proud of the 14 Australian companies that participated in the program and excited about their potential to grow,” said Sharna Glover, Imvelo CEO.
THE 14 PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES ARE
2Censor
Australian Droid and Robot
Advanced Infrared Resources Australia
BIA5
Countrywide Metals
EMB Safety Helmet
Intov8
JESI
MHO Infrastructure
OreFox
Real Serious Games
SensaWeb
Universal Field Robotics
Zemek Engineering
Reflecting on the program, the cohort have been overwhelmed by the access the program has afforded them to other industries and the insights they have gained from each other’s’ experiences in the mining equipment, technology services sector.
“The QuantumTX program offered us a deeper insight into the METS sector and fostered working relationships with other Australian SMEs and potential customers, allowing us to help solve their safety problems. The program has better positioned the business to be competitive, strengthening our sovereign design, engineering and support services in the Australian market. The mentorship was invaluable from a true industry leader with a wonderful vision,” Shawn Tansley, Managing Director & Founder of BIA5 Pty Ltd, QuantumTX 2020 participant.
“The QuantumTX program was highly interactive and informative. We especially enjoyed sharing thoughts and ideas with the network of peers involved across a wide spectrum of the mining industry. Personalised discussions with experienced industry professionals and potential clients helped to connect these ideas to reality. Overall a well-rounded business innovation and accelerator program,” Tom Hockings, Engineering Manager of ZEMEK Engineering, QuantumTX 2020 participant.
METS Ignited CEO Adrian Beer said this is an important initiative to support innovation and job creation, the intensive program was designed to help Queensland businesses accelerate their innovative products and services and realise their full commercial potential. Helping grow SME pathways via QuantumTX is an important strategy for the METS and aligned growth sectors.
“Cross-sector technology collaboration can improve performance in value chain automation; remote operations, cyber security and interoperability, industrial robotics and machine learning; IoT, Data Science and AI; satellite communications and applications. All areas that Australia has potential competitive advantage and significant opportunity to extend Australia’s competitive advantage and job diversification,” said Adrian Beer.
The program has developed SME capability and capacity whilst facilitating strategic partnering and collaboration to solve large industry problems.
“The circular nature of these opportunities is a catalyst for significant growth in all industries. By incubating SMEs and new ventures, we collaboratively strengthen across sector ecosystems whilst supporting larger organisations that develop strategic sectors,” remarked Peter Rossdeutscher, Atomic Sky and QuantumTX Founder.