Page 2447 - Week 08 - Thursday, 6 August 2015
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these institutions to achieve their goal of turning their high quality public research into commercial outcomes.
We only have to look at the range of successful Canberra companies such as FEI Australia, SmartWard, Enabled Employment and Aspen Medical to see that such innovation is vital to strengthening and diversifying our city’s economy. My government’s goal is to create more companies like these, which is why the government has decided to back our city’s innovation sector.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Ms Fitzharris.
MS FITZHARRIS: Chief Minister, how does the KILN incubator provide business support services for potential high-growth companies?
MR BARR: I recently joined with the CBR Innovation Network, Entry 29, the Griffin Accelerator and ATP Innovations to launch the KILN incubator program to help grow innovative and high-growth potential Canberra companies. It has been designed in consultation with the local innovation community. The incubator is a business program that supports budding entrepreneurs and provides a range of services: mentoring, business advisory, coaching and, of course, office space. By working with budding Canberra companies the kiln incubator provides business support, resources and services, needs-based mentoring and technical assistance.
The incubator addresses issues such as isolation, lack of knowledge and funding difficulties by providing companies with links to mentors and expertise as well as important links to sources of capital. KILN incubator aligns with my government’s priorities around accelerating local innovation to create wealth and jobs. This was outlined in detail in the government’s 2015 business development strategy.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Dr Bourke.
DR BOURKE: Chief Minister, how is the ACT government partnering with the university sector through collaborative research projects to track how the ACT economy is performing in key areas?
MR BARR: The government has outlined a transparent process to measure the success of our commitment to diversifying Canberra’s economy through the business development strategy. This includes looking at a range of issues that contribute to economic development and diversification and covers such areas as the general business environment, innovation and commercialisation, and trade and investment through transparent reporting.
I have recently signed an MOU on measuring success with the University of Canberra. This MOU, which has a five-year life, will provide an opportunity to develop collaborative projects between the University of Canberra, the CBR Innovation Network and the territory government to measure the development and performance of our city’s economy and the impact of the government’s business development strategies. The first project under this MOU will focus on developing a framework for
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