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Australia's Leading Edge Innovation
Australia’s leading edge and innovative businesses were showcased at the G’Day USA Innovation Day on January 23 at the Waldorf Astoria. Consisting of four separate but interrelated sessions, examples of Australian innovation in business and industry, science, technology and research were highlighted throughout the day .
The day began with the second annual G’Day USA Innovation Shootout, a competition involving six State finalists from across Australia who travelled to New York City to prove that their business’ cutting edge innovation has what it takes to make it in the U.S. marketplace.
Each of the six finalists, who participated in Australian State competitions during the past year, presented their business’ innovation to a panel of judges, moderated by BusinessWeek’s Innovation Department Editor, Reena Jana. The six State finalists included: Rising Sun Research (www.risingsunresearch.com) from South Australia, Ceram Polymerik (www.cerampolymerik,com) from the State of Victoria, Biolytix (www.biolytix.com) from Queensland, Cool Energy Limited – The Cryrocell Technology (www.coolenergy.com.au) from Western Australia, The Learning Edge International (www.thelearningedge.com.au) from Tasmania and, Fermiscan (www.fermiscan.com.au) from New South Wales.
During the “Shoot Out” competition, the judging panel rated the contestants on their innovative technology and their potential for success in the US market place. Participating judges included: Carol Coletta, President & CEO, CEOs for Cities, Host & Producer, radio show Smart City; John Glanville, General Partner, the Athenaeum Fund & Athenaeum Capital Partners; and David Lerner, Director of New Ventures, Columbia University Science & Technology Ventures.
Fermiscan from New South Wales, took first place, becoming Australia’s Innovator of the Year 2008. Fermiscan discovered the Fermiscan Test, a revolutionary safe, non-invasive technology that utilizes x-ray diffraction of hair fibres to screen and monitor women of all ages for breast cancer. The Fermiscan Test will be available for women in Australia in 2008 and Fermiscan is also commencing further clinical trials and regulatory approval processes in the US this year.
“Given a greater awareness of the significant progress we have made in Australia where the commercial test will be available to women in Australia this year, it is hoped that awareness and support for the Fermiscan test is enhanced as a result of the Shoot Out,” states David Young, Managing Director, Fermiscan. “We are also interested in potential partnering opportunities with scientific, medical and commercial organizations that can help enable Fermiscan to start providing a screening test in the U.S. as quickly as possible.”
Consul General The Hon John Olsen welcomed guests to the G'Day USA
Innovation Day.
Australia's Innovator of the Year, Fermiscan.
Innovation Lunch - R&D Investment in Australia
The Innovation Lunch featured four major US businesses – Chevron, Boeing Phantom Works, Johnson & Johnson and Dow Chemical on a panel discussing the reasons why Australia is an ideal location for R&D collaboration.
The event was moderated by BusinessWeek’s Innovation Department Editor, Reena Jana and included panellists Paul Allinson – Vice President, Chevron Energy Technology Company, Dan Kittle – Senior Vice President R&D Agro Sciences, The Dow Chemical Company, David Norton – Group Chairman Worldwide Commercial Operations, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Services and Don Winter – Vice President of Technology & Engineering, Boeing Phantom Works.
All panellists agreed that Australia is a great place to invest R&D operations for several reasons, including the country’s highly skilled and multilingual workforce, political stability, business friendly regulatory environment and its strategic location as a gateway to Asia.
Another highlight to the Innovation Day, was Boeing Phantom Works announcement that it will establish an R&D branch in Australia hiring 30 engineers, scientists and researchers in Brisbane and Melbourne.
Innovation Lunch Panellists.
CSIRO - Showcasing Australia's R&D
Following the lunch, Australia’s national science agency, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) showcased the country’s network of R&D institutions, universities, infrastructure, skills and commercial partnerships. Australia’s chief scientist Dr Jim Peacock presented the keynote address profiling the distinctive features of Australian’s national innovation system, including its key strengths, mechanisms for enhancing collaboration between industry and researchers, and its connection with the international science community.
CSIRO's scientists profiled Australia's innovation system.
The Energy of Asia
Australian National University hosted The Energy of Asia, a roundtable discussion on the energy needs of Asia in the 21st Century. Led by Vice-Chancellor Ian Chubb, the forum featured some of Australia’s leading experts on energy and the Asia Pacific region discussing the science and social consequences of Asia’s industrial revolution.
The event was well attended by over 60 members of the science, academic and philanthropic communities.
Advance Innovation Reception
The closing event for the Innovation Day was a cocktail reception hosted by Advance, the Global Australian Professional organisation. Americans mingled with Advance’s network of Australian expatriates from the fields of science, academia and research and development, publications and journals in the field of science, industry and innovation.
American and Australian professionals mingled at the Advance Innovation Cocktail
Reception at the Waldorf Astoria.