Hub poised to give wings to best ideas

A Charles Darwin University senior executive says the Darwin Innovation Hub (DIH) announced this month will provide enormous inspiration and opportunity to entrepreneurs seeking to commercialise research in Northern Australia and the Asia Pacific.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President Research and Research Training Professor Lawrence Cram said CDU would partner with the Hub by providing expertise to support Australian start-ups seeking to transform creative ideas into business opportunities. 

“As a globally recognised research university, we are well placed to play a complementary and synergistic role alongside the lead entity, Paspalis Enterprises,” Professor Cram said.

“We have an impressive track record in planning and conducting research projects in Indigenous and tropical health, environmental science, public policy and other areas likely to be important to clients at DIH.

“We have research and development facilities to assist the business growth of its clients and business development experts who can assist them to access government, industry and community support.”

Professor Cram said many CDU students in business, science, information technology, law, creative arts and other areas would be eager to undertake internships at DIH and serve as a resource for jobs growth among its clients.

“It will be particularly exciting when DIH clients and our staff identify projects that are suitable for Masters students and PhD candidates. The potential to promote our unique innovative capabilities to the world is essentially limitless.”

Professor Cram said that with Federal and Territory funding, the DIH anticipated being able to attract 75 start-ups within its first two years.

“If just 25 go on to be commercially viable, as is proposed, then we will have a platform for new jobs and economic growth.”

Professor Cram said CDU would offer the following services to DIH clients:

* Placement of interns and facilitating recruitment

* High-quality business training programs

* Academic and professional expertise linked into global knowledge networks

* Research and development, consultancies and accredited measurements.