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Start-ups looking to bring their technology to the defence and security sector can now apply to defence accelerator program Techstars Adelaide, which has opened up applications for its 2018 program.
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Backed by global defence industry giants Boeing Defence Australia, Saab Australia, Thales and Codan Defence Electronics, Techstars Adelaide is a 13-week mentor-driven program that helps start-up teams ramp up their product development and go-to-market strategy.
The program is focused on companies looking to advance state of the art technology across drones, internet of things (IoT), big data, cyber security, sensors and robotics.
After its launch as the first Techstars start-up accelerator in the Asia-Pacific region in 2017, the inaugural Techstars Adelaide received applications from over 49 countries. The 10 companies selected for Techstars Adelaide 2017 had founders from Australia, India, Israel, Italy, New Zealand and the US, and worked on a wide range of defence and security related technologies, including big data and analytics, sensors, unmanned aerial systems, rocket propulsion, cyber and physical security, and performance improvement.
Graduates have since gone on to launch new products, close significant VC investments and inked global deals with top defence sector corporations.
"Last year, we proved just how exciting the growth potential of the innovative defence and security sector really is," managing director of Techstars Adelaide Terry Gold said.
"Techstars Adelaide gives startups the opportunity to base themselves in a global centre of excellence for defence and security, to work directly with some of the world’s leading defence organisations and within the broader network of international companies."
Adelaide-based 2017 Techstars program participant Teamgage has since gone on to sign a global deal with Thales and has begun working with major Australian corporates such as DXC Technology and NEC. The platform is designed to enable large organisations to adapt to change and transform company culture.
The Adelaide-headquartered start-up has grown its user base by over 200 per cent since starting the Techstars program in July 2017.
Teamgage’s co-founder and chief operating officer Noelle Smit said that the Techstars Adelaide program played a critical role in the company’s growth trajectory.
"Being selected for Techstars Adelaide really opened up a global network for us to take advantage of," Smit said.
"Working alongside companies like Boeing and Thales has given us access to powerful mentoring and business opportunities. We’ve since signed Thales on as a Teamgage client, and are set to roll out our platform across the organisations’ 3,500 team members nationwide."
News of the program opening comes as Techstars Adelaide was last month announced as being one of 14 new innovation precincts to be added to the South Australian state government’s $7.6 million GigCity network; set to receive internet speeds 100 times faster than the national average.
"With $100 billion of defence projects in the pipeline in South Australia, and Adelaide emerging as a regional hub for start-up development, we could not be more excited to be inviting the world’s best start-ups to participate in what is fast becoming the world’s leading defence accelerator," said Gold.
