Australia’s innovative firms, scientists and researchers are set to benefit from a panel of experts appointed today to serve as the inaugural Commercialisation Australia Board.
Commercialisation Australia is a radical new $196 million initiative which takes a hands-on approach to help bring ideas to market by offering a range of tailored assistance measures.
Announcing the board members, Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr said that the calibre of the appointees shows just how serious the Rudd Government is about providing a useful tool to help business succeed and generate high-wage, high-skill jobs.
“The board members have a thorough understanding of the commercialisation process,” Senator Carr said.
“Their collective experience extends right across the research, industry and investment communities.
“They have the practical know-how that is needed to assess the diverse range of applications that we are expecting.
“Board members will support our case managers and business mentors to deliver meaningful advice, derived from their own extensive experience that our up and coming innovators can relate to.
“The response to Commercialisation Australia to date has been overwhelmingly positive, the Commercialisation Australia website has received more than 15,000 visits, calls to the Hotline have exceeded 650, and more than 260 pre-application forms have been submitted.”
The newly appointed Board Chair, Dr Laurie Hammond, emphasised the flexibility Commercialisation Australia offers, allowing continuous application and assessment to ensure assistance flows as and when it is most needed.
“Our first board meeting will take place in early March and I look forward to assessing a highly competitive group of applications,” Dr Hammond said.
A list of the board members and Dr Hammond’s biography are attached. For further information visit www.commercialisationaustralia.gov.au or call 13 22 56.
Media contacts: Patrick Pantano, Minister's Office, 0417 181 936
Donna Valenti, Department, 02 6213 7611 or 0438 334 348