PRESS RELEASE
Key Highlights:
- Australia’s leading technology accelerator program opens for applications for the seventh year.
- Australia’s top 30 companies will win a coveted place in the intensive business accelerator.
- Showcase events in Melbourne and Sydney including unique investor speed-dating.
- The 2017 Australian Technologies Competition goes live today. The Competition, now in itsseventh year, has established itself as Australia’s premier technology accelerator.The Australian Technologies Competition identifies, mentors and profiles Australia’s leading technologies with ‘global potential’. The Competition provides mentoring for our innovative SMEs and awards those who are best positioned to become global success stories.
Over the last six years, the Competition has generated over $250 million dollars in investment and project opportunities for Australian SMEs. It has attracted over 850 entries and 164 companies have so far benefitted from the mentoring program.
The Competition is much more than just another awards ceremony. The Top 30 companies win entry to an intensive Business Accelerator Program which provides access to expert mentors and connections to investors, customers, specialist advisors, grant programs and international markets.
“The guidance on commercialisation, funding and pitching, combined with connections across industry, finance and international markets has enabled many of our Alumni companies to make a step change in their business”, explained John O’Brien, the competition founder and organiser. “It’s a great privilege to be able to play a part in the success of Australia’s best companies.”
Previous Winners of the coveted Technology Company of the Year award have been:
- 2016 Winner – Independent Products – Improving air conditioner energy usage
- 2015 Winner – Calix – plant spray replacing toxic pesticides & enhancing productivity.
- 2014 Winner – Targ Safelash – high efficiency and safe container lashing for ships.
- 2013 Winner – BluGlass – low cost, high quality LED manufacturing equipment.
- 2012 Winner – Enlighten Australia – smart, energy saving lighting solutions.
- 2011 Winner – SMAC Technologies – energy efficient, retrofit air-conditioning solution.
On winning the 2016 award, Independent Products’ Founder and CEO, Steve Heaton said,
‘The team at Independent Products is honoured to be the overall winner of ATC16 and winner of the Smart Cities Award. It is recognition not only of the product but also in our great business model and governance.’
In 2017, the Competition is again collaborating with the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Centres to help focus the benefits towards Australia’s priority sectors and deliver growth to companies across sectors including oil & gas, mining, agriculture, manufacturing, agriculture, medtech, biotech and cyber security.
In addition, the Competition retains its links to its environmental origins through the, Smart Cities and New Energy Awards.
The 2017 Award Categories are:
The program is supported by a diverse range of partners including:
- Industry associations such as the Facilities Management Association, AustMine, AMTIL, Australian Water Association, the Clean Energy Council, BioMelbourne Network and Ausbiotech.
- Professional services firms including Bird&Bird Lawyers and FB Rice Patent Attorneys.
- Australian and international government partners including the Australian Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, the NSW Department of Industry, Hong Kong Trade &Development Council and UK Trade & Investment.
- Climate-KIC Australia and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation supporting the NewEnergy and Smart City Awards.Following the accelerator program, the best companies will be recognised at Showcase events in Melbourne as part of the All Energy conference on 11th October and in Sydney on 9th November. Both events will feature a unique investor speed-dating event to help fund company growth.
The year will conclude with a trade mission to access Asian markets that is supported by the Government of Hong Kong.
For further information on how you can participate in the Australian Technologies Competition visit www.austechcomp.com
Media contacts: John O’Brien on 0419 826 372
