Latest News from ADA-Vic

Hi there,

Anzac Day is on Tuesday, 25th April 2023. We will remember those who served our nation when they were called to do so.

ADA Vic would like to honour the courage and endurance of our current and former service men and women who have served their country and continue to do so. We would like to acknowledge the great sacrifice of those that have died to protect the liberties we all enjoy today.

LEST WE FORGET

$15 Billion National Reconstruction Fund Passes Senate

The Government’s $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund will be established in law after the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation Bill passed the Senate on the 28th March 2023

The National Reconstruction Fund is a key part of ensuring Australia is a country that makes things. It will help Australia capture the opportunities of today and tomorrow by growing and creating industries over the long-term.

Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic welcomed the passage of the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation Bill through the Senate.

The NRF will diversify and transform Australia’s industry and economy through targeted investments in the following priority areas:

renewables and low emissions technologies
medical science
transport
value-add in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors
value-add in resources
defence capability
enabling capabilities.

Subscribe to NRF updates.

Innovate to Grow: Cyber Security and Digital Technology

Applications for the Innovate to Grow: Cyber Security and Digital Technology intake are now open, with the course commencing 8 June 2023. Applications close Monday 15 May 2023.

Innovate to Grow is a free 10-week virtual, self-paced learning program for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to investigate new R&D opportunities related to cyber security and digital technology.

This program is open to businesses working in one of the sub-sectors listed below. If you are not sure if you fit into one of these sub-sectors, please reach out to our program coordinators.

The course provides tools and information to help you better understand what's involved with R&D and key things you need to consider at each step of the process. You'll be able to apply this knowledge to advance your innovation journey.

The program will help you refine your innovation idea and step you through how to turn this into a research and development opportunity.

You will also be exposed to industry knowledge, hear from innovation and industry experts and have access to networking opportunities with researchers and R&D mentors.

It's a great opportunity to work alongside other like-minded SMEs and build your networks.

The course will help you to:

identify your innovation opportunities
refine your value proposition
understand the R&D viability
help you build your business case
provide guidance on how to prepare a strong funding application.

This program is open to any SME participants working in cyber security or digital technology from the subsectors listed below.

Cyber security - AR/VR/XR
Cybersecurity - Digital identity
Cybersecurity - Digital manufacturing
Cybersecurity - Digital Twins
Artificial intelligence/machine learning
Robotics and autonomous systems
ChatGPT/ Large language models

Israel is at the centre of the global cybersecurity and defence ecosystems. Globally, Israel stands in the top 3 of the largest clusters of cybersecurity innovation for venture capital funding, the number of leading firms and human capital. Israel’s cybersecurity and defence focus is driven by the country’s focus on national defence as well as the government efforts to promote the industries.

The Cyber and Defence Tech program presented by Austrade in partnership with SOSA is an enriching virtual bootcamp that enables Australian entrepreneurs to learn how to scale their businesses, acquire insights from successful Israeli founders and gain access to the Israeli cyber and defence tech ecosystem.

The free 4-day, online program will run from 19 to 22 June 2023. Companies can register their interest here. Companies can register their interest here: Tel Aviv Landing Pad - Cyber and Defence Tech Bootcamp. EOIs close 5pm, 27 April 2023.

The program will provide Australian cyber and defence tech companies the opportunity to get:

Exclusive tailored workshops to help you develop your business value proposition, covering topics like building and validating a global growth strategy, achieving product-market fit, navigating partnerships, pitching and venture capital fundraising in the new norm.
1:1 business development advice and mentorship sessions.
Potential strategic introductions to key customers, partners and investors in SOSA’s extensive global networks, in addition to R&D centres, researchers and commercialisation offices.

This program will suit businesses with tech driven solutions in:

Cybersecurity
Defence
Law enforcement
Advanced technologies in cyber and defence.

The course will run for about 3 hours per day, in the late afternoon/early evening AEST. The Israeli tech ecosystem is vibrant. With 9 cyber unicorns in 2021, 3 industrial defence manufactures and government investment across all levels of security, the market offers opportunities for partnerships, sales, fundraising and global connections.

To find out more, register for a webinar (17 April) to learn more, or to register for the program, go to: Tel Aviv Landing Pad - Cyber and Defence Tech Bootcamp.

From Defence:

The Commonwealth has announced the plan for Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines as part of the AUKUS Agreement. We sent out an in-depth update last week discussing this AUKUS announcement and its implications for Victoria. See the Commonwealth’s guidance on the Optimal Pathway here.
The Commonwealth has signed a Letter of Cooperation with the German Government initiating negotiations to export over 100 Boxer heavy weapon carrier vehicles for use with the German Army. See more here.

Other News:

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources has opened applications for the International Space Investment India Projects grants. The grants seek to connect Australian organisations with the Indian space sector. See more here.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles officially opened AIM Defence’s directed-energy test range in Melbourne. This test range is currently the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. See more here.
Hanwha Defense Australia signs training contract for Land 8116 with MMC Learning and Development for Computer Based Training. See more here.
Victoria-based Australian Defence Apparel announces partnership with Nova Systems to meet future Defence uniform requirements. See more here
Attached is the ADM’s list of Defence tenders.

Defence Industry Support Tools

The Office of Defence Industry Support has several tools to support defence SMEs. The Defence Business Readiness Tool, the Digital Readiness Assessment Tool, and the Cyber Security Assessment Tool.

Upcoming Domestic Events:

Reoccurring 2023 - Soldier On Coffee Catch Up Victoria. See more here.
9 – 12 May 2023 – Australian Manufacturing Week. See more here.
17 May 2023 - Australian Space Summit. See more here.
17 May 2023 - ADM Northern Australia Defence Summit. See more here.
1 June 2023 - Cyber Security Summit and Awards. See more here.
21 June 2023 - ADM Congress. See more here.
19 July 2023 - ADM Townsville Defence Forum. See more here.

Links to Grant and other Programs:

In partnership with the Victorian State Government, Lockheed Martin Australia manages a secure facility designed to enable Victoria’s innovation community to better engage with classified Defence and National Security programs. The first facility of its type in Australia, the Victorian Common User Facility is a key initiative in creating new business opportunities for Victoria’s innovation sector.

For more information or to make CUF bookings, please email amod.joshi@lmco.com

Australia Partner Network

Leidos Australia is focused on working with Australian Industry for delivery of all of our projects. We know the importance of supporting the growth of sovereign capability and would like to work with more Australian businesses at all stages of our delivery lifecycle.

We encourage Australian companies, who are interested in working with us on the opportunities identified above or on other business requirements as they arise, to complete the following registration form.

In your submission, you should highlight your experience with any relevant Defence, Intelligence, ICT and cyber capabilities and technologies. Our team will then be in touch to identify potential next steps.

Australian Defence Export Office Pitch Training Program

The ADEO, in partnership with Marketing Entourage, have created a five week online pitch training program specifically for businesses looking to export defence and dual use goods and services. This training is fully subsidised for Australian Defence Industry businesses.

The program is specifically designed to improve the chances of success for Australian defence industry companies when engaging with opportunities to pitch their capabilities to foreign military and military suppliers. The training is delivered through a series of webinars, online modules and one-to-one pitch practice sessions.

Australian Defence Industry businesses are encouraged to apply by registering their interest at the link below. Multiple people from the same business can be included as a single application. Limited spaces are available on each cohort and the ADEO will prioritise businesses who have recently participated in an industry delegation with TDA.

Click here to learn more about the Online Pitch Training Program and to register your interest.