The Australian Science and Innovation Forum, with the support of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, has recently completed an on-line survey to help to build a clearer picture of Australia’s innovation sector.

It's a fascinating read with a smorgasboard of recommendations, with lots aimed specifically at startups!

Responses were received from a wide range of science and technology professionals, including:

• Researchers in academia, Government agencies, and institutes;
• Scientists and engineers working in private industry;
• Science and technology entrepreneurs;
• Legal, financial and other professionals in the scientific and high-tech industry sectors;
• Those aspiring to create a start-up company, or those who have already done so.

Here are some of the recommendations for the startup sector:

Starting up a Science and Technology Business in Australia

• Recommendation A1: Establish a national incubator system to foster science and technology entrepreneurship
• Recommendation A2: Support the growth of science and technology businesses through Government procurement
• Recommendation A3: Accelerate and expedite the start-up funding process
• Recommendation A4: Support grant co-funding of new start-ups
• Recommendation A5: Prioritise seed funding applications that demonstrate new intellectual property, scalability and commercial potential 
• Recommendation A6: Assist Australian entrepreneurs find global markets
• Recommendation A7: Define an allocation from the newly-announced Medical Research Futures Fund (MRFF) to support biotechnology and health technology opportunities 
• Recommendation A8: Allocate funding from the Entrepreneur’s Infrastructure Program (EIP) to support early-stage investment

The survey results were used to inform ASIF’s submission to the Senate Inquiry into Australia’s Innovation System. Click on the link below to access a copy of our report.

Read ASIF’s submission to the Senate Inquiry.

The survey remains open, so why not get on board and have your voice heard. Complete the survey at www.asiforum.net