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.

However, he said, current data available for the business sector and particularly innovation lacked the fine-scale information needed to assess what is happening on the innovation scene, who the players are and where there is potential for growth. 

"As a state we know where our strengths are but on a micro- and small-business level there are startups who are really pushing the envelope but are not on the usual radars of economic indicators for a range of reasons associated with their size and niche operation."

"This is not unusual on the startup scene, and Tasmania has an outstanding opportunity to use its natural business community advantages to create a fresh and vibrant story about how well we are doing and where we can do more."

"Australia is generally well down on the scale of investment in startups and it is important for Tasmania to benchmark against the national average to establish where we can provide the best support."

Farrell said that Startup Tasmania would be supporting StartupAus in helping take the Crossroads message to all levels of government and the community.  

The Crossroads report was commissioned by StartupAUS on behalf of the national tech startup community.