Wednesday, 8 June 2011

What do innovators need most for the best chance of successfully commercialising new intellectual property?  We all know that access to capital is critical, but having the right skills and connections is equally, if not more, important.

"Commercialisation Australia participants work closely with an experienced Case Manager to guide them through the various stages of commercialisation and help them meet the right people," said Doron Ben-Meir, Chief Executive Officer of Commercialisation Australia. 

“There are now more than 110 Australian companies, universities and other organisations participating in Commercialisation Australia and they all have access to a network of 22 Case Managers throughout Australia.”

Three companies participating in Markets, Money and Talent – Opportunity Knocks, being held tonight at the Australian Technology Park in Sydney, are great examples of how Commercialisation Australia can help Australian businesses.

Marathon Robotics has been working with Commercialisation Australia Case Manager, Nigel Hennessy, to finalise development of a new four-wheeled, all-terrain robotic military target. 

"Nigel’s been very helpful as a kind of sounding board for the sorts of things that don’t come so naturally to us as academics and engineers”, said Dr Alex Brooks, CEO of Marathon.  “What he brings to the table is a lot of commercialisation expertise and experience running companies, to point out things we might not have thought of, like corporate structure and structuring contracts to allow us to focus on the really important stuff of building the technology our customers want."

AIMEDICS was introduced to Case Manager, John Grew, through their Early Stage Commercialisation grant with Commercialisation Australia.  AIMEDICS is using breakthrough technology to detect night time hyperglycaemia in a non-invasive way for diabetes sufferers - a two billion dollar market opportunity!

"Government support has been really important to us, not only in providing financial resource," said AIMEDICS CEO, Mr Victor Skladnev.  “John has helped staff explore supply chain options and identify and facilitate reimbursement support for our product suite.  Funding is critical but the Case Manager concept is a real bonus with the Commercialisation Australia program”. 

True Cloud based technology provider, IPscape, was delighted to receive an Early Stage Commercialisation grant from Commercialisation Australia.  They have also been delighted at the value of Case Manager, Pat Mooney. 

Simon Burke, CEO IPscape said “Pat has been a real advocate for IPscape. He has taken the time to get involved in our business and understand how we are using true cloud technology to create innovation across global customer service. He has personally opened up new channels of commercialisation for IPscape by introducing us to new international partner and alliance contacts. On a wider note the Commercialisation Australia grant has been instrumental in allowing us to continue our fight for innovation. The evidence of our success comes through our continued launch of new products and through new contracts with businesses like AAPT and NBN Co.”

The ongoing Commercialisation Australia support has enabled IPscape to establish leadership in the Australian true cloud customer contact market and to rapidly expand their footprint internationally.

"Increasingly our Participants are telling us that working with our Case Managers is adding substantial value beyond their grant funding," said Mr Ben-Meir. 

Commercialisation Australia Case Managers are not public servants, but highly skilled business builders with expertise across a range of sectors.  Many of them have successfully commercialised their own products and built successful businesses. 

“Early stage business building is very challenging. We believe that the combination of timely funding and access to the skills and experience of our Case Managers will significantly enhance the prospects of success for all of our Participants and so benefit our economy more widely through the growth of smart, sustainable companies.” said Mr Ben-Meir.

Details about all of our Participants and Case Managers can be found at our website:  www.commercialisationaustralia.gov.au

About Commercialisation Australia

Commercialisation Australia is a competitive, merit-based assistance program of the Australian Government, offering funding and resources to accelerate the business building process for Australian companies, entrepreneurs, researchers and inventors.  It recognises that researchers and early stage businesses need more than capital to succeed.  Commercialisation Australia provides not only a range of funding products, but access to highly skilled business builders who are available to work with successful applicants and guide them through the various stages of commercialisation.  Where needed, Commercialisation Australia also links its participants with volunteer business mentors.  These are people with significant business, commercialisation, domain and investment expertise who can share their insights and help participants make important business decisions and connections.

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