Strengthened government investment in innovation and tax policy changes to support that innovation are two outcomes a number of startup industry figures are looking for when the federal government’s budget is released on Tuesday night.

However, one change they hoped would arrive in the budget now won’t go ahead, with the Australian Financial Review reporting that the government has put planned changes to employee share schemes on hold because it was at odds with the budget’s “tough love” message.

StartupSmart ezine carried the story today.

The National Commission of Audit report’s contention that government support of startups provides no real benefit to the community is flat-out wrong, according to a number of startup industry figures and two major reports into the industry, in an article in StartupSmart ezine.

Rui Rodrigues, investment manager of Tank Stream Ventures, says the commission’s suggestion is ridiculous.

It’s an opinion echoed by Sydney Angels management committee member Richard Dale.

StartupAUS board member Bill Bartee, who is also a co-founder and managing director of Blackbird Ventures and Southern Cross Venture Partners, believes the commission is taking the wrong position.

Phil Morle, CEO/Founder of Pollenizer says you don't need a tech co-founder for your startup.

He says on the Pollenizer blog:

"Engineers are either going to spend your startup’s limited financial resources or they are going to be an investor like you, sacrificing income for the opportunity."

Oxygen Ventures is providing an opportunity for Australian startups to win up to five million dollars in funding. The winner will be chosen via The Big Pitch event, which culminates in Melbourne on June 17 when the winner is chosen by an expert judging panel. 

The new Federal Commission of Audit recommendation that the government abolish both the Innovation Investment Fund and Commercialisation Australia means our innovation ecosystem is headed for danger and we need to tell our success stories loud and clear.

Says StartupTasmania Secretary Jess Tyler: 

"There has never been a better time for Australia to follow the wave of innovation and entrepreneurialism that the rest of the world is following so brilliantly."

"There is no doubt that investment in innovation has benefits to the wider community, but perhaps, we have failed to tell those stories to the public and clearly they have been lost on the existing government."

"What we need is to keep telling the success stories because it matters, it makes a difference to perception - and clearly, funding."

To help us along the path to improved member benefits, we would greatly appreciate your feedback on the StartupTasmania offering, your ideas for the future and any new initiatives you'd like to see us take up.

Please, if you could take the time to let us know where we can provide exactly what you want in your startup journey, we will endeavour to put together a range of member benefits that you will find exciting, engaging and truly helpful.

All data is anonymous and will not be shared with anyone else for anything else.

Go to the survey on the top nav bar of the StartupTasmania website, here.

Tasmanian startups say the rollout of “transformative” NBN services is vital for businesses, as IT lobby group TASICT warns the rollout of the NBN has slowed to a crawl across the island state.

In its submission to the National Broadband Network inquiry, TASICT says that it remains supportive of the full fibre-to-the-premises network being rolled out to all 190,000 premises originally earmarked for connection.

However, it warns that the project has been used “as a political tool” by all major state and federal parties, while key issues are ignored.

Several leading Tasmanian startups show just how much the NBN is needed.

Bappy Golder

Front End Developer | Website Consultant 

Bappy is currently working on a project to take Tasmania on an roller coater app ride around the world, for which he won the state wide GoSouth award on March this year.

The full potential of the mobile app will highly benefit tourism, education and ICT industry.

"Let the rest of the world know about the things we take pride in," Bappy says. 

Just a reminder - receiving Meetup notifications of the Shots events in the north and south means you're a member of the StartupTasmania Meetup Group, not necessarily a member of StartupTamania. Which is great! The more the merrier!

But there's a whole lot more about StartupTasmania beyond drinks once a month.

The seven steps to supporting an innovating startup sector proposed this week by leaders of the Australian startup community would work wonders in boosting the Tasmanian economy, says Startup Tasmania. 

But the Tasmanian economy first needs to be re-mapped, to focus on the small, often hidden, cache of intellectual wealth in Tasmania, according to Startup Tasmania president Casey Farrell.

Responding to the Crossroads report released by early stage venture community StartupAUS, Farrell said that because Tasmania had close networks and an impressive track record in innovation and entrepreneurialsm backed by a strong research sector, it was well positioned to set an example in nurturing a rich and vibrant startup community.