Wrap up 2020

Whilst 2020 stopped the Nation and the world, it proved unstoppable for the Territory. Fortunately, the Territory managed to miss a lot of the negative effects of the pandemic, and everyone pulled together to position the Territory as the most desired place to be in Australia. The Territory Economic Recovery Commissions final report shows promise and a real plan for the next 2, 5 and 10 years and we look forward to continuing to work with our stakeholders, all levels of Government and industry to help in the rebuild of the Territory.

The Darwin Innovation Hub was also fortunate to be placed in one of the best positions to assist the Territory to stay in business, support industry and business to stay in the game, pivot and grow.

Entrepreneurs’ Programme – Growth Companies

July 1 saw the Darwin Innovation Hub become the Northern Territory’s first Delivery Partner of the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources Entrepreneurs’ Programme.

The Entrepreneurs’ Program provides advice and facilitation services to small and medium business to help build capacity, improve capability, extend networks and take advantage of growth opportunities in Australian and/or markets in other countries.

The program focusses on supporting NT businesses operating in the 5 growth sectors of Advanced Manufacturing, Food and Agribusiness, Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals, Mining Technologies, Oil and Gas, as well as enabling technologies for various sectors.

Start-Ups

Our facilitators continued to work as Innovators in Residence to support the Department of Industry, Trade and Tourisms Business Innovation Program – which successfully saw many Incubator Scholars receive grant funding towards Commercialisation.

From January through to December we ran the Incubator Scholarships and brought in Oliver Ciancio as the Expert in Residence. During Oliver’s 6 months with us, 21 start-ups went through the scholarship, which saw multiple startups commercialise their products and services, the establishment of a new company, product development, and the preparation of companies to raise capital.

NTAN – Funding

Capital raising was a big request in 2020, and through this response to feedback from startups who identified a lack of funding as a principle cause of limiting their growth, the Darwin Innovation Hub developed a funding pathway by establishing the Northern Territory Angel Network (NTAN).

These programs prompted the DIH to open a new office with a permanent associate in Alice Springs, located at the Desert Knowledge Australia precinct.

This placement has been critical to helping us develop and extend further support across the whole Territory.

Bigger Team

Our team expanded to support the business community, pulling in expertise from around Australia and utilising our existing networks from Charles Darwin University and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

We toured the Territory

As part of the October Business Month roadshow, we went to Nhulunbuy, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and back to Darwin, meeting existing and new clients.

We went North

We attended and presented at the Developing Northern Australia Conference in Rockhampton, promoting the benefits of doing business and investing into the NT. We are very pleased that Darwin will be hosting the 2021 Conference.

And then South

GM, Emma Nesbitt presented at the State of our Nation panel for South Start in Adelaide. The recording can be found here.

And then into Space

November had the Darwin Innovation Hub and the NT Government sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cap Vista Pte Ltd, the strategic investment arm of the Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency, and Singapore Space & Technology Ltd (SSTL).

The MoU will enable the NT Government to be a strategic overseas partner to Project Cyclotron, a space technology focused venture building programme.

What’s Next?

2021 will see further construction occurring at the Hub, creating state-of-the art facilities to be used by the Darwin business community, attracting national and international speakers and organisations.

Our team will continue to develop both internally, as well as supporting business and industry. January will have some very exciting announcements – so stay tuned and make sure you sign up to our newsletter here.

WE ARE RECRUITING

Executive Assistant / Office Manager
We are seeking a dynamic team-oriented person to fill the position of Executive Assistant to the CEO / Office Manager. The position provides a high level of executive support to the CEO, garnering a comprehensive on-the-ground understanding of each business unit to be able to best assist the CEO providing critical business support.

Compliance Officer

We are seeking a dynamic team-oriented person to fill the position of Compliance Officer gaining highly valuable experience in venture capital investment management. This is an opportunity to become a critical key member of the Paspalis Group, based in our Darwin office. The position is responsible for management of our capital raising processes, international migration placement agency network and undertaking review and monitoring of our processes and procedures along with compliance and risk management.

From all the team, stay safe, stay healthy, stay merry – and bring on 2021!