Industry network to build strong Aussie SMEs through Industry Growth Program and funding
The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub has welcomed news that the Australian Manufacturing Capability Network (AMCN) has been selected as an Industry Partner Organisation for the Industry Growth Program.
Australian Government Minister for Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic recently announced that several not-for-profit organisations will work with the Industry Growth Program to help participating small and medium businesses bring new products and services to market.
The Industry Growth Program provides expert advice on commercialisation and early-stage business growth to startups and high-growth small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) operating within the priority areas of the National Reconstruction Fund priority, and to help build Australian manufacturing for the future. This advice is provided by Industry Growth program advisers.
As an Industry Partner Organisation, the AMCN will complement this advice, and add value to and enhance the support provided to SMEs by offering specialised advisory services, drawing on its sectoral expertise.
ARM Hub Founder and CEO Professor Cori Stewart said this was an opportunity to better enable SMEs and startups to become global innovation leaders.
“On behalf of the AMCN, we are thrilled to be partnering with the Industry Growth Program. I would like to thank the Australian Government for this opportunity as well as our network partners for their commitment to strengthening sovereign manufacturing capability and growing the national economy,” Professor Stewart said.
“Australian industry has a scale-up challenge resulting in a ‘missing middle’ of ambitious export-orientated SMEs and startups. Small business – which accounts for 93% of all Australian businesses – have low levels of free cash flow and human resources that limit their capacity to invest in adopting and scaling innovation.
“The AMCN, which will be led by the ARM Hub, will help them by facilitating access to a comprehensive network of technology experts, world-class manufacturing facilities and equipment, and valuable commercialisation services.
“We complement the role of the Industry Growth Program by offering deep technical support across the spectrum of ‘enabling capabilities’ such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems.”
The AMCN is a collaboration between industry, government, and universities.
Its members include the ARM Hub, Core Innovation Hub, CSIRO, Flinders University, Swinburne University of Technology, Queensland Government, University of Technology Sydney, and Western Sydney University.
It is further supported by technology partners, specialist providers, and venture capital investors Advisory Board Centre, Data and Knowledge Enterprise (DKE), Defence Science Centre Western Australia, Friday Capital Partners, Johnson Winter Slattery, Paradigm Shift Asset Management, Partner Ventures, and Smartsat CRC.
It will act as a support and advisory service to the Industry Growth Program, helping companies in the program to overcome challenges associated with commercialising projects.
The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Hub (ARM) Hub is a leading innovation commercialisation organisation dedicated to advancing robotics, AI, and automation technologies across industry sectors. ARM Hub collaborates with industry and research partners to translate good ideas into commercial value that increases Australia’s manufacturing capability. Visit armhub.com.au.
The Australian Manufacturing Capability Network is a collaboration between the ARM Hub, Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct, Core Innovation Hub, CSIRO, Flinders University, Swinburne University of Technology, Queensland Government, the University of Technology Sydney, and Western Sydney University. It is further supported by the Advisory Board Centre, Data and Knowledge Enterprise (DKE), Defence Science Centre Western Australia, Friday Capital Partners, Johnson Winter Slattery, Paradigm Shift Asset Management, Partner Ventures, and Smartsat CRC. The AMCN will assist referred SMEs and startups in the manufacturing sector through a range of initiatives, including access to facilities, equipment, technical support, expertise, specialised programs, and events.