Image: Steven Depolo
The Queensland Government is moving to provide commercial opportunities to innovators while solving Queensland Government challenges by harnessing the potential of small to medium enterprise sector (SME).
As part of that push it will put $5 million toward helping SME organisations win major government contracts. The Advance Queensland funding program the government will help SME innovators to secure government contracts to develop and test cutting edge products and technologies.
Know as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) pilot program it will see three ‘challenges’ released to the market to be solved by innovators:
- A flexible, sustainable and cost-effective sporting venue lighting option;
- The development and supply of affordable water quality monitoring for the Great Barrier Reef
- Improving the maintenance of valuable government assets
Through a competitive procurement process, Queensland Government challenges will be released to be solved by the open market. Successful applicants receive funding to research, develop and test their idea. This funding will support innovators through crucial feasibility and proof of concept stages, which can be difficult to fund. At the end of the process, applicants have the possibility to secure a contract with a Queensland Government agency.
Innovation Minister and Small Business Minister Leeanne Enoch said the program provided a ‘win-win’ for both innovators and the Queensland Government.
“The Palaszczuk Government wants to remove the hurdles for Queensland innovators and small businesses to collaborate with government departments to develop important service delivery solutions where a viable product, system or process has not previously been available,” Ms Enoch said.
“We know we have world-class innovators, and this is a call to Queensland businesses – show us what can be achieved, and work with the Queensland Government to develop the technologies and services that keep us at the forefront of innovation.
“Successful applicants will work directly with a government agency to validate, develop and test their ideas and, importantly, will be funded through the crucial feasibility and proof-of-concept stages,” Ms Enoch said.
“In doing so, we can develop and pilot innovative new technologies and products that will hopefully deliver better services for Queenslanders.
“Intellectual property will remain with the innovator so that companies not only have the potential to secure a Queensland Government contract, but can also take their products to markets around the world.”
PwC Australia Managing Partner, Strategy and Transformation, Sammy Kumar said the program had the potential to unleash innovation in a range of sectors.
“By taking an innovative approach to procurement, rather than narrow tender processes for a pre-determined outcome, governments can leverage the very best of private sector creativity and innovation to solve their most important problems,” Mr Kumar said.
“This is an excellent example of government and business working collaboratively to bring the innovation agenda to life.
“A successful solution to this challenge would have a global market.”
The SBIR pilot program is based on similar models in the United States and the United Kingdom, which have proven to be very successful.
“The overseas programs have been recognised internationally as important to stimulating innovation systems, leveraging government procurement spend and supporting and encouraging the testing and development of new-to-market ideas,” Ms Enoch said.
Applications will be assessed against the following selection criteria:
- Ability to deliver the proposed solution
- How well the solution solves the challenge
- Whether the project plan is sound, and the proposed solution viable and achievable within the timeframes of the SBIR program stages
- The potential to deliver value for money, financial viability with broad commercial potential
- Ability to deliver broader benefits for Queensland
Advance Queensland SBIR challenges are hosted on the PwC Open Innovation Platform. Innovators are encouraged to apply at: www.advance.qld.gov.au/sbir
