AGDA DNA 221209

22nd December, 2009

Regular updates on design news and activities of the national council and executive office

2009 & 2010 Australian Innovation Festival

AGDA participated in the highly successful 2009 Australian Innovation Festival - which purpose is to provide a ‘national platform to celebrate, promote and enhance the value of Australia's innovation and entrepreneurial endeavours."

Check out the 2009 AIF report here.

After eight years, this Festival is now recognized as a national showcase of exciting and inspiring events and activities built upon that foundation and ‘the three pillars of economic growth - excellence in research, development and commercialization."

The 2009 AIF reports that "the festival's theme Solutions for Success was very much about highlighting and profiling leading centres of excellence. In all States and Territories of Australia, there are specific clusters of innovation that stand out as world class networks. In line with this theme, there was a specific focus on the 4 C's of innovation - Creativity, Connections, Collaboration and Commercialisation."

There were 603 registered events and 370,936 participants, with support from over 120 National Industry and Educational Associations as well as Federal government agencies, including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, AusIndustry, Austrade, IP Australia and CSIRO.

The 2010 Australian Innovation Festival theme Building Sustainable Businesses will further its major objectives, to:

- Demonstrate the value of research, development and commercialisation.
- Profile Australia's intellectual capital.
- Reinforce the innovation and entrepreneurial process, from idea to market.
- Facilitate networking between innovators and investors.
- Collaborate nationally and with each Australian state & territory.

'Commercialisation Australia' Opportunities for AGDA Members 

"Commercialisation Australia is a new Australian Government initiative that will take a radically different approach to commercialising Australian research and ideas.

It will help public sector researchers and private sector innovators turn their ideas into internationally competitive goods and services."

             - Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

It is the Government's primary source of assistance for commercialization and is delivered by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

The $196 million Australian Government initiative is a a merit based, competitive assistance program that offers:

- Skills and Knowledge support to help build the skills, knowledge and connections required to commercialise new ideas.
This includes:
• Up to $50,000 to pay for specialist advice and services
• Up to $200,000 over two years to assist with the recruitment of experienced executives

- Proof of Concept grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to test the commercial viability of a new product, process or service.

- Early Stage Commercialisation repayable grants of $250,000 to $2 million to develop a new product, process or service to the stage where it can be taken to market.

Each successful applicant will be assigned a Case Manager to guide them through the commercialisation process and facilitate access to experienced Volunteer Business Mentors.

Researchers, entrepreneurs and innovative firms are encouraged to seek further information on Commercialisation Australia at www.commercialisationaustralia.gov.au.

AGDA Consults for Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA)

The project for Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA) to develop higher level qualifications in visual arts, craft and design for inclusion in the Visual Arts, Craft and Design Training Package, has recently commenced.

At the same time a ‘fitness for purpose' review of the package will also be undertaken to update the package and adjust any major deficiencies.

As the peak national organisation for the graphic design and visual communication industry, AGDA has been invited to participate as a member of the National Reference Group, which will oversee the project and ensure that the outcome is a high quality product which meets industry needs.

The project will explore the option of incorporating re-accredited or newly developed qualifications from States/Territories into specialised national visual arts, craft and design qualifications.

AGDA Website Postings
Check out the latest:

‘State of Design' Launches Public Program

Call for Entries: Hong Kong International Poster Triennial 2010

Graphis 100 Best Annual Reports 2010 Pre-pub Sale

9th AGDA Awards 2008 Compendium Feature

Till next time, wishing everyone a lovely Christmas,

cheers,

Rita Siow

AGDA Executive Director