CEO Update

The last six months have been an exciting time at STC, keeping our new BD Manager, Buzz Palmer, and myself very busy.

The Victorian Government's STIUP Program continues to grow and provide great opportunities for Victorian business to access emerging technologies and develop their businesses.

As STC moves forward, we are advancing our international reputation as a centre for excellence in small and emerging technologies. At present, we are in the process of exploring significant international partnerships with like-minded centres, strategically located within the US, Europe and Asia. These linkages provide a point of reference for Australian companies to explore new technology paths, export markets and facilitated international networking opportunities.

Over the next decade it is anticipated that the convergence of technologies will have substantial effects on the lives of individuals and human society. The influence of small and emerging technologies is already being seen in developments such as Genera's PaplypeTM diagnostic for Human Papillomavirus and Aqua Diagnostic's PeCODTM COD laboratory unit.

We at STC work at the interface between business, Government and public research institutions, giving us a unique perspective on the challenges, trends and drivers of technology.

As companies develop new and more advanced products, the opportunity to incorporate emerging technologies becomes increasingly important. Encouraging this absorptive capacity within Victorian Industry is a key focus for STC. We also recognise our role in supporting entrepreneurs, facilitating partnerships and guiding companies through the innovation and commercial pathway.

For the next six months, our focus is to:

• Locate and interact with SMEs and Industry to describe the importance and logic of applying small and emerging technologies to their industry;
• Identify knowledge and market gaps where small and emerging technologies can have an impact;
• Facilitating partnerships, nationally and internationally;
• Encourage and steer businesses through the commercial pathway.

We at STC are excited about the introduction of new incubation and laboratory space. We are anticipating that the space will be available in February 2012. As Paul Savage from Arrayware will tell you, a flexible space is crucial to the success of new companies. Finally, I would like to wish everyone a joyous festive season, a successful 2012 and a win in the cricket on. Boxing Day.