Presentation made to National Economic Development Conference, Australia, 30th Oct 2014. Developing innovative businesses and regions, 2 cases studies - physical innovation centre and a virtual approach. Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay Burnett, Centre for Regional Innovation.

1. INNOVATON ANYWHERE
Supporting the growth of innovative
businesses in regional and rural Australia

2. Innovation drivers: 4 T’s
Talent Technology
Travel Tenacity

3. Technology

4. Sustainable regional growth
depends upon the capacity to
innovate.
Innovation not only contributes to
economic growth but also raises
the quality and quantity of jobs
and boosts the standards of living.
OECD, Regions and Innovation Policy
2011

5. Innovation is the implementation of a new or significantly
improved product, process, new marketing method, or a
new organisational method in business practices,
workplace organisation or external relations.
OECD Paris
Innovation is executing new ideas to create value.
Tim Kastelle, UQ
innovation anywhere causewayinnovation.com

6. Innovation: best place?

7. Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast

8. Innovation Centre: Results
• Access to office space and city grade technology: 100
Mbps capacity dark fibre, video & podcasting studio
• 110 businesses
• 91.3% remain in business today
• 450 direct full time jobs
• $28 million investment in client companies
• 190 student work places, 152 student projects
• Events: 35 business events in 2013 attracted 1,065 people
• Influence student entrepreneurship: 1,000 students + per
year in core course
• Visible, tangible asset - influence

9. BLOW THE
ROOF OFF
THE PLACE

10. Wide Bay Burnett:
Centre for Regional Innovation, trial

11. 6 trial businesses

12. Trial: Startups & small growth
companies
Supportive innovation environment
Profile Peer Network Professional Service
Firm Connections
Investor
Connection
s
Talent
pipeline
Success breeds success

13. Strategic direction
Make a significant impact on a large number of priority
businesses across region
WHAT IMPACT?
• Increase sales &
profitability for established
businesses through new
innovation
• Increased number of
successful startups
LARGE NUMBER?
• Build network to 300+
businesses, plus service
providers
• 3 levels of service: 50
businesses in 1st year,
growing to 100
HOW TO MAKE AN IMPACT? RAISING PROFILE OF BUSINESSES & THEIR NEEDS,
DIRECT SUPPORT, BUSINESS EDUCATION & NETWORKING EVENTS,
FACILITATE CONNECTIONS
PRIORITY BUSINESSES?
• Ambitious start-ups
• Established businesses
with potential to grow
through innovation
• Key sectors – food,
manufacturing +

14. THANKS
Colin Graham
causewayinnovation.com
@CausewayInno