May 1, 2024

iAccelerate hosts Innovation Blueprint Roundtable

NSW Innovation, Science and Technology minister leads forum to boost investment, ideas, industries and talent

The University of Wollongong (UOW) recently hosted NSW Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, the Hon Anoulack Chanthivong, at an Investment NSW Innovation Blueprint Roundtable at the University’s Innovation Campus.

The roundtable discussion, led by Mr Chanthivong, brought together stakeholders from government, industry and the University to share ideas for an Innovation Blueprint that will give NSW the leading edge in the global battle to attract new investment, ideas, industries and talent.

More than 20 organisations and businesses from the Illawarra and Shoalhaven attended, including Bluescope, Business Illawarra, Green Gravity, Hysata, i3net, RDA Illawarra Shoalhaven, Scalapay and Venus Shell Systems.

Following the roundtable, Mr Chanthivong and UOW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Patricia Davidson enjoyed a tour of iAccelerate, UOW’s business incubator and accelerator, meeting with some of the entrepreneurs at the forefront of innovation in the Illawarra.

“I thank Minister Chanthivong for giving the Illawarra and Shoalhaven communities the chance to share its thoughts on how to support innovation in NSW and maximise the benefits it can deliver to our region and the nation,” Professor Davidson said.

“From the beginning UOW has been at the vanguard of cutting-edge research and development in the Illawarra and is committed to collaborating with government and industry to create opportunities that will boost economic growth, investment and employment in the Illawarra, South Coast and across NSW.”

iAccelerate Director Dr Tamantha Stutchbury said the roundtable provided a valuable forum for exchanging ideas.

“It was a great opportunity to hear from Minister Chanthivong and Investment NSW about their ambitions for growth and change in NSW, and to share with them what we are doing here at iAccelerate to build a diversified and innovative economy for the future of the Illawarra and the state,” Dr Stutchbury said.

iAccelerate delivers industry agnostic programs that supports startups and scaleups across multiple sectors, including AI, edTech, energy, health and wellbeing, robotics, social enterprises and tech.  

^{Scenes from the visit by NSW Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology the Hon Anoulack Chanthivong to iAccelerate and the NSW Innovation Blueprint Roundtable.} 

^{Main photo: UOW Chancellor Michael Still and Vice-Chancellor Professor Patricia Davidson with NSW Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong.}