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CeBIT: Investing in our start-ups for the future of business

THE CeBIT Australia StartUp Conference and PitchFest 2018 will bring a fresh wave of innovative technology ideas to the showfloor.

The Australian start-up industry is growing with overseas investments totalling over US$555 million last year. New South Wales, the host state of CeBIT Australia, produces 44 percent of the nation’s start-ups, and the recently opened Sydney Startup Hub in Sydney’s CBD has been a landmark $35 million government investment to ensure the start-up ecosystem continues to thrive. 

A collaboration of resources between CeBIT Australia, the NSW Government, the Australian Computer Society and the Business Centre, will see more than 80 start-ups set to feature ingenious, new-wave technologies on the showfloor at CeBIT Australia from May 15-17, 2018.

The NSW Government will showcase the state’s very latest tech talent leading the future of business, from engineers who merge artificial intelligence and machine learning creating biometric technologies, to industrial design for hi-tech devices in medical, agriculture, industry and consumer industries. The NSW Government-backed, Jobs for NSW, will also be showcasing 16 start-ups assisted through its support programs.

Acting Premier, John Barilaro, MP, said start-ups were accelerating innovation and generating jobs for the economy.

“Here in NSW, we’re doing everything we can to create the right environment for people to have the confidence to launch and the support they need to give their start-up the best chance of success," Mr Barilaro said.

“Start-ups are the future of our economy and with the right backing they can develop and deliver new products and services that lead to jobs for the people of NSW and Australia.

“Our state is the nation’s start-up capital and the NSW Government is proud to showcase the latest and best of our NSW start-ups at CeBIT Australia,” said Mr Barilaro.

Harvey Stockbridge, managing director of Hannover Fairs Australia commented on the new start-up exhibition zones on the showfloor.

“CeBIT Australia hosts the largest start-up showcase in Asia-Pacific," Mr Stockbridge said. "This year the CeBIT StartUp hub features a fantastic series of presentations on the FutureTech Stage. IoT, FinTech, AI and Machine Learning, and the start-up industry itself will all be covered by leading industry experts.

"The StartUp Zone will feature three StartUp Co-Working spaces, a new feature for 2018 which allows start-ups the opportunity to meet new potential clients, business partners or investors, network and share ideas, and engage with VCs and angels on the showfloor,” said Mr Stockbridge.

The renowned CeBIT StartUp Conference, on Thursday 17 May will deliver a series of inspirational sessions, where a host of experts will participate in panel discussions and presentations about the growth, challenges and opportunities for start-ups.

The StartUp Conference will begin with a presentation by Amadeus on ‘The Sweet Spot – why start-ups should target that 21st business problem,’ while the rest of the conference is made up of three panel discussions covering key questions of the start-up community:

  • Demystifying VC’s – A frank chat about what actually happens at a venture capital firm;
  • Building a Global Business;
  • Accelerator / Incubator / Co-working hub “what you need to know” series.

Following the StartUp Conference is CeBIT Australia’s highly successful PitchFest contest showcasing 10 finalists, who will actively pitch their innovations and technologies to a panel of expert judges in front of an audience of fellow start-ups, investors and potential customers.

Previous winners of CeBIT Australia PitchFest have gone on to become multi-million-dollar, multinational companies. Previous winners include the Look Who's Charging merchant database which helps Australians easily identify the merchants that charge to our credit cards, NetHealth which provides comprehensive software solutions for the medical industry, and the revolutionary TouchOne Smartwatch Keyboard.

CeBIT Australia’s StartUp conference and PitchFest are free to attend. CeBIT PitchFest is one of Australia’s premier start-up launch pad platforms. This year’s finalists will be announced in early May.

For more information about the spotlight on start-ups at CeBIT Australia, visit:
www.cebit.com.au/startup-and-pitchfest

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Defence Industry Minister visits Malaysia to promote Aust. industry

EFFORTS by Australia’s world-class defence industry to export internationally will receive a boost, with the Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne, visiting Malaysia from April 16-17, 2018.

Mr Pyne will visit the Team Defence Australia stand at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2018 exhibition in Kuala Lumpur. The stand at DSA 2018 showcases the wide range of products and services Australian defence companies are seeking to export.

“Our Team Defence Australia delegation consists of 27 companies, including small and medium enterprises, a record number for Australian participation at DSA, attesting to the competitiveness and innovative capabilities of Australian defence industry,” Minister Pyne said.

“Events such as DSA are a great way for Australian companies to showcase their capabilities, leading to new export opportunities.”

Mr Pyne said that the Australian Government had dramatically increased the support available for Australian companies to identify and seize new export opportunities.

“The soon to be launched Australian Defence Export Office, an initiative of the Defence Export Strategy, will deliver a suite of new initiatives to help Australian companies become export ready, expand their businesses and achieve export success,” Mr Pyne said.

Mr Pyne will also meet with Malaysian Minister for Defence (caretaker), Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin bin Tun Hssein, and the Chief of the Defence Force to discuss opportunities to deepen Australia-Malaysian industry engagement. 

“Australia greatly values our longstanding defence relationship with Malaysia, which is underpinned by our shared interest in promoting regional security,” Mr Pyne said.

Mr Pyne will also take the opportunity to meet with a number of his other counterparts visiting for DSA to discuss Australian Defence export opportunities and collaboration.

DSA 2018 runs from April 16-19 2018 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur. Further information about Defence Services Asia 2018 can be found at http://www.dsaexhibition.com.

Companies attending Defence Services Asia 2018 as part of Team Defence Australia include:

  • Aerospace Maritime and Defence Foundation of Australia
  • Armor Australia Pty Ltd
  • Austal
  • Australian Maritime Technologies Pty Ltd
  • Australian Target Systems Pty Ltd
  • Ballistic & Mechanical Testing Pty Ltd
  • Blueye Eyewear Pty Ltd
  • Britton Maritime Systems
  • Calytrix Technologies
  • Codan Radio Communications
  • Craig International Ballistics
  • Defence Vision
  • Depth Logistics
  • DroneShield Limited
  • Fountx (associated with TAE)
  • Hawker Pacific
  • Holmwood Highgate
  • Intelligent Security Integration Australia Pty Ltd
  • JAR Aerospace
  • Prism Defence
  • RUAG Australia
  • Scientific Management Associates
  • SOS Marine
  • TAE Aerospace
  • Thales Australia
  • Trakka Systems
  • W & E Platt Pty Ltd

 

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ASIC funding - still more to talk about says IPA

THE GOVERNMENT’s announcement that further consultation into ASIC’s future funding model will take place has been welcomed by the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). 

“The IPA argued strongly that the originally proposed one-off fee increase from $107 to $3,429 for new auditors of SMSFs was exorbitant,” said IPA chief executive officer, Andrew Conway. 

“While the new proposed fee has been reduced to $1,927 is a step in the right direction, it is still far too high and will only deter new entrants into the SMSF auditor market.

“Keep in mind, the ATO currently already collects $259 from each SMSF to finance the SMSF monitoring role the ATO conducts on behalf of ASIC.

“This levy was a mere $45 in 2008 but now equates to approximately $142.5M (550,000 SMSFs multiplied by $259) to monitor the sector including SMSF auditors.

“In 2011/12, the Government provided ASIC with $10.7million over five years, to develop and maintain an online registration system for auditors of SMSFs.  ASIC also developed a competency exam for auditors, enabling ASIC to deregister non-compliant auditors.

“The Government also gave the ATO $10.6million over five years to police registered auditors, check their compliance with competency standards set by ASIC and where necessary, refer non-compliant auditors to ASIC for appropriate punishment.

“Surely, any fee increase under the proposed fees-for-service funding model must take into account the money already being collected via the ATO supervisory levy.

“While we understand the objectives of a new funding model and the role of ASIC, we have a major concern over any impact these fees will have on competition, especially when there has already been a decline in the number of SMSF auditors in a market which is being dominated by the major players.

“We simply ask, what is the justification of these fee increases?

“We look forward to the next round of consultation to get ASIC funding and resourcing right,” said Mr Conway.

www.publicdaccountants.org.au

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