The University of South Australia’s start-up incubator, the Innovation & Collaboration Centre (ICC), has secured a grant from the Australia-India Council Grants Program to establish a space start-up and exchange trade program.
The ICC is one of nine successful projects that will receive a share of $935,000 of funding to establish the Australia-India Space Alliance, that connects deep technology space companies and their research, industry and investment networks to collaborate on critical technologies and fast-track market entry.
The Alliance will encourage knowledge sharing and assist in accelerating business opportunities in both countries.
It will feature six months of online networking, a demonstration day, and the opportunity to join a select group for a 10-day start-up tour to India.
The ICC is home to the Venture Catalyst Space program, an internationally renowned start-up accelerator program which supports early-stage technology-based space start-ups to create a globally scalable enterprise. The program is funded by the South Australian Government.
ICC Director, Jasmine Vreugdenburg, said the funding will provide further opportunities to strengthen the relationship with India and provide access to critical areas of emerging Australian technology.
“Over the last four years, our space accelerator program has attracted a lot of interest from Indian start-up companies keen to access our program elements, including connections to the Australian space ecosystem,” Ms Vreugdenburg said.
“This funding will allow more companies to contribute to the space economy and foster those critical international space ecosystem connections.”
ResearchSat, an Adelaide-based Australian start-up with Indian co-founders, has completed the ICC’s Venture Catalyst Space program.
ResearchSat Chief Technology Officer, Jibin Jeffrey, said he encourages other start-ups from India to apply for the new Alliance.
“We have found tremendous value as part of this community – especially in the connections to important players within the SA space ecosystem and the valuable feedback they provided – aiding us to develop our business and accelerating further,” said Mr Jeffrey.
“I would greatly encourage start-ups from India to apply for this program. The timing, access to market and the available opportunities are ripe for mutually beneficial collaborations in various segments of the rapidly emerging and growing Australian space industry.”
Applications for the Australia-India Space Alliance are now open. Register here.
