Innovative Energy Solutions autonomous solar panel cleaning robot.
The QuantumTX space and technology incubator program continues to grow with a new round of applications now open for Australian businesses with high-growth potential.
The QuantumTX incubator program helps start-ups and small-to-medium companies develop technologies and services that support remote operations, including in robotics, artificial intelligence, satellite communications, simulation, digital systems and interoperability.
Each company receives $25,000 worth of support to help scale their businesses and innovative products that demonstrate potential global competitive advantage.
The multi-sector program is designed to support businesses across the space, resources, defence and agriculture sectors. It facilitates access to test sites, technical mentors, specialist sector expertise and capital raising experts.
The 2022 QuantumTX space and technology incubator program awarded $750,000 of support to 30 companies across Australia.
(L-R) AROSE CEO Leanne Cunnold, METS Ignited General Manager WA & SA Kylah Morrison, Quantum Technology Exchange Founder Adjunct Professor Peter Rossdeutscher and AROSE Program Director Michelle Keegan.
Since 2016, the QuantumTX incubator program has delivered more than $4 million in support to 126 startups and SMEs across the country. Alumni include Gilmore Space Industries, Solar Robotics Australia, Inovor, BINAR, Universal Field Robotics, Climate Clever, My Pass, Safescape, EpiChem and Agile8.
The University of Western Australia Adjunct Professor and Founder and Chair of Quantum Technology Exchange Peter Rossdeutscher said successful participants would hear from experts from companies such as BHP, Rio Tinto, Nova Systems, IMDEX, Microsoft, and former NASA executives.
They can also meet with potential capital investors and collaborators, including from Fugro’s new Space Automation, AI & Robotics Control Complex (SpAARC), the Roy Hill Remote Systems Automation Centre, Woodside Energy Robotics Laboratory and the International Space Centre at UWA.
“QuantumTX 2023 is an excellent opportunity for businesses to gain access to the resources, expertise and connections needed to scale up and enter major sectors,” Adjunct Professor Rossdeutscher said.
The QuantumTX program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources through the Incubator Support Initiative. The program also receives support through remote operations collaborator AROSE and strategic innovation consultancy Atomic Sky. It has additional support from METS Ignited, Robotics Group Australia, and a range of organisations in the resources, space and defence sectors.
EIS participation in the QuantumTX program led to contracts with major clients from the resources and other industries.
Co-Founder of Innovative Energy Solutions Dave Alexander attributed the company’s successful national expansion to participation in the QuantumTX program.
“The QuantumTX program provided IES with valuable connections,” Mr Alexander said. “Peter Rossdeutscher’s mentorship was a key factor in securing private capital.
“In addition, METS Ignited and AROSE facilitated introductions that led to contracts with major clients from the resources and other industries. As a result of this support, we have established new research and development collaborations and were recently awarded a $2 million advanced modern manufacturing grant.”
AROSE CEO Leanne Cunnold said AROSE is expanding national capability and providing opportunities for the finest talent and technology in remote operations on earth and in space.
The AROSE consortium – led by Fugro and Nova Systems – was recently awarded a Trailblazer Stage 1 grant under the Australian Space Agency’s Moon to Mars initiative to design foundation services rover solutions, through early mission phases to Preliminary Design Review.
“We partner with QuantumTX to help create job opportunities by scaling SMEs and commercialising research, while also fostering the development of space technology capability and capacity,” Ms Cunnold said.
“QuantumTX aligns well with our other initiatives to grow skills and participation in the sector. Scaling multi-sector collaboration is crucial to developing the future skills required for a prosperous and sustainable Australia.”
For more information and to apply visit https://www.quantumtx.com.au/qtx-national-2023. You can watch an overview of the program here 2023 QuantumTX Australia & Space.
