Commercialisation Partnership Program - Queensland researchers to partner with Chinese tech incubators

An opportunity to work with global expertise at cutting-edge facilities is being provided to Queensland-based businesses, universities and research institutes through the Commercialisation Partnership Program (CPP).

CPP provides $20K grants to recipients to be placed between 75 and 90 days with one of six Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) incubators, to progress the commercialisation of Queensland innovations.  CPP will allow innovators to gain market intelligence, conduct competitor analysis and seek investment. Applications are now open until 30 November 2016.

Read more http://advance.qld.gov.au/entrepreneurs-startups/commercialisation-partnership-program.aspx

Media Release: Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small Business  - The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

Applications open for placements in Chinese tech incubators

The Palaszczuk Government is providing Queensland researchers and entrepreneurs access to expertise and investment opportunities in China through an exciting new program.

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch today announced the opening of the first round of the Queensland Government’s Commercialisation Partnership Program (CPP).

The program partnership between the Queensland Government and China’s prestigious Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) will see up to eight Queensland entrepreneurs and researchers placed in leading science and technology incubators in China.

“This is a fantastic foot-in-the-door opportunity for Queensland entrepreneurs, whether they are a technology startup, established science-related business, or a Queensland researcher looking to commercialise their research,” Ms Enoch said.

“Successful applicants will have the opportunity to prototype, test, attract investment and commercialise innovative ideas at one of China’s leading science and technology incubators.

“They will have access to world-class facilities, mentors and local business links, and receive invaluable insight into the Chinese market as well as the potential to secure capital to refine their concept and get their business up and running.”
Applications for the competitive program close on 30 November 2016 with successful recipients to be recommended by the Queensland Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation in consultation with MOST.
The Queensland Government has committed $480,000 over four years to the Commercialisation Accelerator Program as part of the Advance Queensland Global Partnerships Awards, which aim to capitalise on outcomes from Queensland’s science, technology and innovation expertise.

Ms Enoch said successful applicants would receive up to $20,000 for placements of up to three months in one of MOST’s six major incubators, including Zhongguancun Technology Science Park in Beijing, Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone in Shanghai and Shenzhen High-Tech Industrial Park in Guangdong.

Queensland was the first Australian state government to sign an agreement with MOST, dating back to 2008 and the only Australian state to have a commercialisation program with MOST.

“The CPP is a result of this strong relationship with MOST, which has also seen the establishment of the Australia China Joint Laboratory for Energy and Environmental Materials at Griffith University, the Australia-China Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine at QUT, and the
Joint Laboratory of Neuroscience and Cognition at the University of Queensland – among a range of initiatives,” Ms Enoch said.

China’s Vice Minister for Science and Technology Professor Xu Nanping said the program would focus on areas of mutual interest, including agriculture, medical research and renewable energy.

“In China, we have great respect for the research and innovation coming out of Queensland. It makes a lot of sense for us to work with Queensland startups and innovators, assisting them in commercialising their innovations, so that China and Queensland can benefit,” Professor Xu said.

For more information visit http://advance.qld.gov.au/uni-researchers/commercialisation-partnership-program.aspx

Media contact: Daniel Lato 0438 830 201