From synthetic data to the world’s fastest helicopter, inventors pitch innovations to market

In a bid to win the attention of investors and Defence capability managers, budding innovators and entrepreneurs will pitch their innovations to potential customers as part of an online Defence innovation showcase.

To be held on 14 and 21 June, the showcase serves as the finale of an eight-week innovation and entrepreneurship program that empowers Australian researchers and small to medium enterprises to connect with Defence. Participants are trained to identify a real-world application for their science or technology, using best-practice methodologies developed in Silicon Valley.

Twenty-two teams took part in the D.Start Ignite Autumn 2022 program, which included innovations such as highly-sensitive sensors to detect chemical and biological threats; an innovative new approach to passwordless authentication for websites; an early warning system for cyber attacks; a way to convert waste to building materials; and an easily deployable system to generate electricity and provide clean water.

D.Start coordinator, Dr Brendan Pell said that the showcase enabled 'talent scouts' across Defence and Defence industry to identify promising technologies or concepts.

"Over eight weeks D.Start's expert facilitators work with these teams to hone their ideas, helping them to understand their customer and validate the problem they are seeking to solve."

Funded by the Next Generation Technologies Fund, D.Start Ignite, delivered in partnership with CSIRO is part of the broader Defence Research Accelerator program. More information about D.Start Ignite is available on the DSTG website.

Investors and Defence stakeholders are encouraged to attend the free online showcase.

To register visit the DSTG website.

For the full list of innovations to be pitched visit the D.Start Ignite Autumn cohort page.