Watch human-interest short documentary films while enjoying a chilled drink followed by a yarn, Wednesday afternoons.
Watch films featuring inspiring everyday heroes from around the world.
Space is limited so don't leave it till the last minute, book your seat today!
Every week we'll show three short films from a given category and have speakers from related charities, NGOs, community groups, or sometimes government departments speak about their work within that category.
Innovation often arises when diverse partners combine their unique ideas and capabilities. We recognise that networks are essential to the successful commercialisation of innovation, however it is not always clear how these complex systems can best be harnessed by managers and entrepreneurs. Research has shown business relationships and networks to both enable and constrain innovation and commercialisation, highlighting the need to better understand their nature.
Daniel Schepis, Samantha Tough, Peter Rossdeutscher, Brodie McCulloch
This panel discussion seeks to draw on network science research and the experiences of our three accomplished panellists who have successfully navigated commercialisation pathways across their various domains.
The discussion will frame their insights against a backdrop of network proximity, which includes geographic, social, cognitive, institutional and organizational domains. The discussion will explore practical examples of how they work with close and distant partners to achieve outcomes that support commercialisation
The panel will examine:
How Perth’s geographic position facilitates or constrains the ability to engage with commercialisation partners, and how physical distance may be a determinant of possible outcomes.
How the extent of social factors affect commercialisation, such as referrals, trust and reputation that come about through personal friendships influencing the commercialisation process.
How to best bridge knowledge gaps in commercialisation relationships given partners often come from very different technical or industry backgrounds.
How company cultures and structures influence commercialisation.
How different laws, regulations, value and norms influence commercialisation internationally.
Facilitator
Daniel Schepis is a Senior Lecturer at UWA specialising in business-to-business marketing and qualitative research. His research expertise focuses on the role of networks in supporting innovation, start-up–corporate relations and start-up internationalisation. In addition, he has been involved in industry projects relating to internal innovation and the use of design thinking approaches, conducting fieldwork across five continents. He has also worked in community capacity building in the resources sector and is currently faculty advisor for the Enactus UWA team launching social impact initiatives.
Samantha Tough has had a distinguished and varied career in the energy and resources industries in Western Australia, with a 20 year career serving on boards. She has also been involved in the commercialisation of technology and startups for over 20 years.
She was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor Engagement for The University of Western Australia (UWA) on 1 July 2019 and currently serves as Chair of Horizon Power, Director for Clean Energy Finance Corp and Director for Saracen Mineral Holdings Limited.
Samantha has previously been Director of Synergy Board, Chair of Retail Energy Market Company Ltd, Structerre Pty Ltd, Molopo Energy Ltd, Aerison Pty Ltd and Southern Cross Goldfields Ltd, and Deputy Chair of the WA Academy of Performing Arts. She is also a former director of Cape plc, Strike Resources Ltd and Murchison Metals Ltd. Her executive roles include General Manager North West Shelf at Woodside Energy Ltd; Director Strategy for Hardman Resources Ltd; Senior Vice President Natural Resources at the Commonwealth Bank and Project Director for the Pilbara Power Project.
She completed a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Jurisprudence at UWA and worked as a barrister and solicitor before progressing to the commercial sector. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Peter Rossdeutscher is an experienced Non-Executive Director and experienced leader with a deep background in METS, commercialisation, technology, and Board roles. He is a former multinational technology company Managing Director, multiple entrepreneur, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, INSEAD Certified International Director and Adjunct Professor at UWA.
Chair of the SmartSAT CRC Mining & Energy Advisory Board, StartUp WA Advisory Board, Board Director of MinEx CRC and Chair of the Transition and IP Committee, Board Director of CRC ORE and Chair of the Commercialisation Committee. Principal of Atomic Sky and AgriStart, Founder of the QuantumTX cross-sector technology exchange.
Brodie McCulloch is the Founder and Managing Director of Spacecubed and passionate about building ecosystems that support people and organisations who are interested in building the future of work.
Spacecubed enables positive change through the community through its spaces, programs and platform. Spacecubed has grown by 300% over the past three years and continues to work with its members to create new opportunities for them and their businesses.
With over 3,000 members, Spacecubed has built a range of spaces that support different industries and technologies. These spaces provide both facilities and networks to help connect members with new opportunities.
Programs including SheCodes and Plus Eight Accelerator have been supporting women to learn to code and investing in a range of startups in WA.
In order to better enable its community to both collaborate and access spaces, Spacecubed has developed a platform to turn any office into a smart office using augmented reality. This is being developed with members and is used to manage both Spacecubed owned spaces and partner space.
Brodie completed a Churchill Fellowship to explore global models for supporting Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the US, Canada, UK, China and Singapore.
Over 3 nights as part of XR:WA, Perth’s own secret co-working space, Studio Startup, plays host to beer and board games!
Curated by Sofie Mather,, this is fantastic opportunity to meet with table top games designers and makers and experience some of their wares – while also enjoying a beverage or two from the bar!
We’ll also be having some multiplayer computer games for you to explore plus perhaps the occasional talk and other distractions.
Studio Startup is a unique subterranean space perfect in providing a platform for new and possibly subversive ideas which is precisely what we’re planning on doing. Entry is free and there’s a bar.
In what is essentially a table-top Open Mic, Immersive After Dark is a unique opportunity to explore both the space and the ideas. Games, stories, forms, ideas, testing and talking, it’s all on the table.
Free event 8-11pmDownstairs, 143 Barrack St, Perth
12 (Friday) 8:00 pm - 14 (Sunday) 11:00 pm
Studio Startup
43 Barrack St, Perth WA 6000
MORE INFO https://xrwa.com.au/
LIBERTY has expanded to Burswood, bringing private offices, open plan cubicles, training and meeting rooms for businesses of all sizes and some of the best parking in Perth.
Liberty is known for exceptional service and modern facilities with all the mod cons such as fast WiFi, virtual office, full kitchen with the latest coffee machines, showers, bike racks and help when you need it, all wrapped up in a professional and stylish environment.
Location: 53 Burswood Road, Burswood WA 6100
The CBD is 5 minutes by car or bus, Perth International & Domestic Airport is 9km away and is serviced by a shuttle bus every 30 minutes. Optus Stadium and the Crown Resort & Casino complex are only 5 minutes away and access to Canning Highway provides a direct route to Fremantle and the Freeway.
Virtual Office: Offering professional personalised phone answering service from a virtual receptionist creating the kind of perception your business deserves.
Liberty Burswood Launch party 11 October 2018
For more information phone 1300 235 879 or go to the WEBSITE
A selection of Perth’s finest innovative entrepreneurs put their best ‘pitch’ forward at Perth Angels’ upcoming Pitch Night in an effort to pique the interest of angel investors and to secure capital, three early-stage companies will be present their investment propositions.
Drinks and canapés will be served with opportunity to network and connect to founders and founders. This event is free for members or $50 for non-members.
When: Wednesday, 17 October, kick-off 5:30pm (doors from 5pm)
Where: Liberty, 197 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Register your spot HERE
Key stakeholders in the WA agricultural, business and technology sectors met at the Paddocks to Perth: Agtech and Regional Innovation forum event yesterday to discuss key initiatives currently driving the Western Australian Agtech sector and to announce the new cohort of the HARVEST 2.0 program.
The forum featured a keynote from WesCEF Innovation and Commercialisation General Manager Mussaret Nagree on Innovations in Agtech and a discussion panel including Susan Hall from Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Frank D’Emden from Decipher, Gary Rogers from Hemp Homes and Amanda Walker from the Wheatbelt Business Network.
Mussaret Nagree from WesCEF discussed both the opportunities and challenges facing the Agtech industry. Offering fascinating insights into scaling large projects and initiatives, Nagree reinforced the primary importance of connecting with and understanding the farmer as a customer.
“It’s really important to take time to get to know your customer, understanding what their pain points are, what’s going to make it easier for them to manage their farms and boost efficiencies & you can only get that by engaging with them directly,” she said.
Panel member Frank D’Emden from Decipher offered some further insight into the customer, saying that digital technology adoption by farmers is still relatively low comparatively across sectors, however this presents invaluable opportunities and support for uptake, especially as billions of dollars is currently being invested in the Australian Agtech industry.
“I foresee in less than 20 years time farmers being able to look at a map and see what every part of their farm is doing in terms of the critical components of their agronomy, forecasting out 14 days ahead with 90% accuracy of what the weather is going to do and having much better knowledge about supply,” he said.
Susan Hall, Acting General Manager at DPIRD’s WA Open for Business said leveraging off partnerships like the one with AgriStart brings great results for the industry.
“What we really want to do is be a part of this great culture of innovation across the ag sector and across the regions, and we do this with partnerships, like the one we have with AgriStart and the HARVEST participants” she said.
AgriStart Managing Director, Tash Ayers says connection and collaboration is key to supporting and exporting WA innovation, particularly within the regions.
“Regional innovation needs to be part of the city agenda too. This networking event showcased the exciting innovations already happening in regional WA and the value of connecting businesses across the state and globally,” she said.
The forum culminated in the announcement of the cohort for next round of the HARVEST 2.0 Accelerator Program, where 16 highly innovative WA start-ups are given the opportunity to accelerate their business under the expert mentorship and guidance of some of Western Australia’s most successful business people. The program has been expanded to include the HARVEST Residential Intensive Program, a business accelerator for regional participants
HARVEST Residential Intensive at Muresk Institute:
The HARVEST2.0 Accelerator programs target late-stage start-ups and SMEs looking to scale their business, attract investment, develop new networks and partnerships or explore new export markets. Participants will be mentored by expert growth facilitators who have high level expertise in corporate innovation, entrepreneurial thinking, agriculture and research connections. The program consists of two programs: the HARVEST Agtech Accelerator Program and the HARVEST Residential Intensive Program at Muresk Institute.
For more information about AgriStart and the HARVEST Program, visit https://www.agristart.com.au/harvest-accelerator-program/
Level 21 of Allendale Square. Peter Rossdeutscher - Atomic Sky, Jamie Vine - Liberty, Greg Riebe - Perth Angels
The first joint event, ‘Investing in MedTech’, is to take place at Liberty’s purpose-built state-of-the-art training, seminar and event space on August 15 in a half-day masterclass in understanding how to invest in this new economy technology, co-presented by Accelerating Australia. Bringing together industry leaders, practitioners and delegates sharing insights for engaging ventures adopting these new technologies in three sessions.
Some of Perth’s finest form the event’s stellar line-up of professionals, working across the Medical Technologies “MedTech” and Life Sciences, to discuss The Tech, The Transformation Opportunity and The Investment Opportunity, such as: Richard Hopkins (Managing Director and CEO of Zelda Therapeutics), Paul Andersen, (Founder, Managing Director and CEO of OrthoCell Ltd), Kevin Pfleger (Perkins Institute), Maud Eijkenboom at Accelerating Australia, and Nobel Prize Laureate Professor Barry Marshall.
As the pace of change accelerates globally in societies, economies and industries, advances in medical technologies are being demanded to respond to these changes, which is creating new opportunities for investors to invest. Perth Angels’ co-founder and current Chair of Industry Development, Greg Riebe, says that the new partnership will see angel investing stay relevant with active and aspiring investors receiving key insights needed to continue actively investing in Perth-based businesses.
Mr Riebe said, “The new economy technologies stream is specifically designed to share and develop the skills and practices of angel investing in early-stage high-growth ventures in a variety of areas. Partnering with Liberty and Atomic Sky means a home for the investors with an eye to take advantage of emerging technologies so that we can deliver our program in a professional, innovative and community-led environment where entrepreneurs can accelerate their potential”.
Atomic Sky is the Community and Content Partner for Liberty, an Australian owned business with a unique value proposition of ‘space and service’.
Jamie Vine, Liberty CEO, said, “Beyond our world class workspace and exceptional customer service we want to add value by supporting business growth. Liberty is thrilled to be a part of this exciting partnership. One that will provide incubation, innovation and, now with Perth Angels investment support. ‘Investing in MedTech’ is only the first of many exciting events we'll co-host with Perth Angels and Atomic Sky.
REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT at https://perthangels.wildapricot.org/
Perth Angels formed in 2010 to bring together likeminded business people to expand their peer groups, networks and to encourage investment into the early stage entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Perth Angels is a destination that supports ethical and efficient investment in emerging local business ventures. Perth Angels is a ‘for-purpose’ association and the only group to be affiliated with the national and international angel investor network and is a place where great ideas connect with smart money, connecting founders to funders. Members work together to invest their time, knowledge, networks and investment capital into rigorously assessed an qualified early-stage high-growth ventures. Members also support the broader community and economy by mentoring young entrepreneurs. Angel investing is an alternative investment class and global practice rapidly growing around the world. However, to develop this asset class in Western Australia, Perth Angels runs an annual calendar of events including six pitch nights and educational programs seeking to provide information and skills for best practice to select, value, structure and manage early-stage ventures for investment and exit.
Liberty is an Australian owned business, founded in 2010 with a mission of putting world-class service back into serviced offices and co-working spaces; it now has five spaces in four locations across the Perth metropolitan specifically along St Georges Terrace and Burswood. Liberty’s Training & Conference Centre covers 1200sqm with nine purpose-built rooms easily reconfigured and can accommodate up to 200 people at one time. Liberty offers a unique service model and ranges in its private and virtual offices, meeting rooms, and co-working facilities. Liberty is unparalleled in its corporate solutions, and concierge and landlord solutions. Housed within prestigious buildings along the Terrace, Liberty prides itself in its accessibility and convenience, servicing 150+ clients from a handful of industries such as engineering and professional services and finance. Liberty’s Founder and CEO, Jamie Vine, spent 15 years in senior positions in the serviced office industry across Europe, where he was instrumental in achieving some of the phenomenal growth experienced within the sector. It is with this experience that has defined Liberty's client-centric proposition and after launching the business into Australasia, Liberty continues to focus its number one priority on delivering exceptional customer service.
With a team of highly successful Advisors, Atomic Sky draws on a wealth of experience and expertise based on real-world experience and best practice to advise clients in a number of areas. Atomic Sky’s mandate is all about helping people take good ideas and turn them into great businesses. Atomic’s team of Advisors understand business and know how to innovate with traction and impact in larger organisations having held senior corporate, government and advanced consultancy or advisory roles both locally and internationally. Atomic Sky uses its wealth and combines it with passionate people who enjoy what they want to do. It is good people, good ideas and good practice blended together to help new businesses starting out how to scale projects quickly, get a grasp on first-hand steps and identify pot-holes in order to be faultlessly executed.
The HARVEST 2.0 Agtech Accelerator programs are an incredible opportunity for late-stage start-ups and small to medium sized enterprises looking to scale their business, attract investment, develop new networks and partnerships, and explore new markets.
Featuring a line-up of inspiring expert mentors and growth facilitators, highly interactive workshops and informative panel sessions and field trips, the 12-week program will also cover:
HARVEST ACCELERATOR MENTORS & ALUMNI
Positioning for growth, including strategic expansion planning
Adoption strategies for applying new technology in agriculture
Export market pathways
Industry connections, including AgriSector corporate mentoring and Meet the Farmers
Increasing income, including investment readiness, marketing and positioning
Pitch coaching and media training
Opportunities to pitch to investors and showcase your technology to the industry
And much more!
Due to intense interest in the program, AgriStart will also be running a residential intensive version of the program for regional businesses at Muresk Institute. The HARVEST Agri-Innovation Accelerator is a week-long program covering similar topics.
Applications for both Programs now.
For more information and to apply visit HARVEST 2.0
Download the BROCHURE
This Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Masterclass will explore:
The Tech with examples of successful ventures.
The Transformation Opportunity and impact on industry.
The Investment Opportunity and how to engage.
It will be followed by a panel of experts to answer your questions regarding the adoption of these technologies and key investment considerations.
How would you reshape existing energy networks to integrate new and emerging technologies for regional areas to maximise renewable power sources?
The future of energy networks will be driven by customer choice, with renewables having a large part to play in the energy mix. Increasingly energy networks will act as platforms for retail and residential customers to choose how they want their electricity supplied and delivered.
Operators will continue to foster and enable the connection of renewables – a generation source that continues to grow. Micro grids will enhance power supply on the edge of the grid, while Stand-alone Power Systems will bring new opportunities for isolated customers.
As part of its plan for the future, Western Power with the aid of the City of Albany and Atomic Sky rallied some of the brightest local minds to imagine a blueprint of a future smart city. Speakers included Western Power Senior Executives Fiona Bishop and Matt Cheney, Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington, Sunrise Energy Director Neil Canby and leading innovator Dr Natasha Ayers.
Outcomes from the workshop feed into Western Australia’s first Energy Self-Sufficiency Hackathon in Perth (22-23 March 2018).
Info on the hackathon is at www.atomicsky.com.au/events
