Adelaide University’s Innovation & Collaboration Centre (ICC) will deliver a two-day program in July aimed at helping researchers, engineers and aspiring entrepreneurs enter South Australia’s space and defence sectors.
The program, Venture Launchpad: Space and Defence, supported by the South Australian Space Industry Centre, is scheduled for Thursday 16 to Friday 17 July 2026, immediately before the Australian Space Forum. Organisers say it is open to participants at any stage of idea development, including those without prior startup experience.
The announcement comes amid continued investment and workforce growth projections across both sectors. Defence SA figures cited in the release put South Australia’s defence industry contribution at $2 billion in economic value over the last financial year, with the state’s defence workforce projected to grow by more than 10,000 over the next two decades as AUKUS submarine construction ramps up.
The release also points to a $20 million state government commitment for a space common user facility at Adelaide’s Lot Fourteen precinct, intended to support companies assembling, integrating and testing space technology.
Minister for Defence and Space Industries Chris Picton said initiatives such as Venture Launchpad are intended to help local companies translate capability into commercial outcomes.
“As a state we need to continue to capitalise on our strong innovation ecosystem and help these local companies break into the defence and space industries,” said Minister Picton.
“Programs like Venture Launchpad are helping local businesses develop the skills, networks and confidence needed to navigate these industries and bring their technologies to market.”
“By connecting emerging entrepreneurs with the right support and opportunities, we’re helping more South Australians build companies, create highly-skilled jobs and drive economic growth.”
Associate Director of Business Incubation at Adelaide University, Craig Jones, said the program was designed to address barriers faced by early-stage founders in highly regulated sectors.
“Breaking into the space and defence industries is hard; they are complex, highly regulated and many people spend months or years working on their ideas without truly understanding how the ecosystem works,” he said.
“This program addresses that gap directly, offering structured frameworks, honest expert input and the kind of industry access that is otherwise difficult to come by.”
According to the release, participants will work through frameworks to define the problem they are solving, understand commercialisation pathways, develop a business model and build a 30-day validation plan. The program also includes access to mentors, industry experts and government partners.
Applications are now open for the inaugural Venture Launchpad: Space and Defence program.
