To boost productivity, a “matchmaker” service to connect small and medium sized enterprises with research institutions should be established and funded by the federal government, the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry says.
The centralised portal should be supported by a handful of people in each state that are connected with local research institutions to serve as a conduit, helping SMEs connect with research and development (R&D) institutions to boost their productivity.
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) general manager for policy and advocacy Dylan Broomfield said such a scheme would enable SMEs to more easily access research and innovation, producing better outcomes and profit for them as well as the research institutions.
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There has been a long saga of similar match-making service enablers in the past. These were set up at both federal and various states levels, but, after implementation, were eventually dissolved. Hopefully, there are retained learnings available from these past attempts which first can be reexamined before deciding to attempt something similar once again.
Didn’t we just have this Nationally? However, the funding was not renewed..
The Australian Defence Science and University Network (ADSUN) provides a matchmaking service between SME’s, Universities and Defence. The Defence Science Institute (DSI) Does this in Victoria on behalf of the state and federal governments. The ADSUN also has nodes in NSW, QLD, SA and WA, with discussions ongoing for Tasmania and NT to join existing nodes.