Episode 31 - Tech Transfer in Australia: The battle for talent and resources with Natalie Chapman
Release Date: 02/29/2024
Episode 40 - The Prequel: National Innovation Policy Forum 2024 with David Thodey AO and Catherine Livingstone AC
Tech Transfer Talk
In this special edition, we hear from the patrons, and . We reflect on the 2023 NIPF event (also hosted by ), discussing the practical outcomes that were being sought from the last forum and setting them in the context of 'where to from here?' David and Catherine both reflect on culture, risk tolerance, and the layering of process, regulation and legislation and its impact on innovation. We touch on the three main sessions for the , being Sharing Risk, Addressing the Missing Middle and An Australian Business Model. They make a call for more leadership across the community,...
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Episode 39 - Trust, Talent and Technology Transfer with Mark Hutchinson
Tech Transfer Talk
In this episode, I had the great pleasure of having a wide-ranging discussion with . He is currently a member of Australia’s , Advisory Board Member to Program, recent past president of and has been a successful research leader and tech transfer advocate for over 15 years at the , largely centred on the and . We quickly uncover one of Mark’s modus operandi which is to seek forgiveness and not permission. This approach allowed him to get on with addressing roadblocks and challenges in developing and delivering solutions to willing and engaged partners. Given Mark’s early...
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Episode 38 - Tech Transfer with Sticky Customers with Dr Angeline Achariya
Tech Transfer Talk
In this episode I had the chance to catch up with Dr Angeline Achariya, who has had a successful technology transfer journey moving across industry and the innovation sector throughout her career. With her formative years spent on the land in Fiji and in Queensland, she moved into agribusiness starting at Mrs Crockett’s then moving through and to where her executive career took route with and subsequently . Ange then moved to to lead what she started at Mondelez, before moving back to the private sector with and now in her portfolio career journey. We explore what innovation looks like...
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Episode 37 - Making a Meal of Market Intelligence:- Relationships, Rolodexes and Returns with Rohan Rainbow
Tech Transfer Talk
In this episode, I had the opportunity to catch up with my colleague, business partner and good friend, Dr Rohan Rainbow, who has been a leading voice in the implementation of agricultural technologies in Australia for over 30 years. His early childhood journey moved him from suburban Melbourne to farming in rural Victoria, followed by South East South Australia and then settling in the Clare Valley in South Australia. He completed his PhD with The University of Adelaide while working on his agricultural research at followed by work as an independent consultant, plus executive officer to both...
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Episode 36 - Building Businesses: Roadmaps, risks and rates of change with Andy Shafer
Tech Transfer Talk
In this episode, I had the opportunity to catch up with who’s been a leader in building businesses in the 21st century biobased economy. A alumnus, he started his 'bio-journey' with , a Joint Venture between Dow Chemical and , where he had a leadership role in bringing PLA to market. He then moved to for 9 years, establishing their market facing partnerships including sales and marketing, corporate brand and communications. He then spent 7 years in private consulting, including the authoring of a book on strategy and development, before joining in late 2023 as their Chief Marketing,...
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Episode 35 - Science Meets Parliament 2024
Tech Transfer Talk
In this episode, we reflect on Science Meets Parliament 2024 – a bespoke training event run annually by . This event brings together emerging scientists and Australian federal parliamentarians to strengthen connections between STEM professionals and decision-makers. I chat with , President of Science Technology Australia, RMIT Professor and start up founder. We also hear from attendees , , , , and to get their impressions of #SMP2024. We reflect on Sharath’s National Press Club and Australia’s place in the world of innovation. Sharath describes Australian innovation ecosystem funding...
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Episode 34 - Innovation and the board: Reflections on ambition, culture, and the opportunity for Australia with David Thodey
Tech Transfer Talk
In this special episode, I had the privilege of talking with , whose experiences and roles have included board and chair roles in organisations such as , , , , and Chancellor Elect at the . David is also a figurehead and thought leader within , particularly around innovation and the role that it can play in Australian business and society. In our conversation, David shares some of his journey into innovation, having started at , and he shares his passion and ongoing fascination with how science and technology can shape society and business for good. We reflect on the importance...
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Episode 33 - It takes a village to raise a start up: The importance of advice and governance with Anne-Marie Perret
Tech Transfer Talk
In this episode, we get the chance to catch up with , an independent advisor and significant contributor to the Canberra innovation ecosystem through her roles as mentor and board member with several ventures. Anne-Marie is also an active member of the (which works alongside the ) as advisor, board member and angel investor. I was particularly keen to explore the importance of advice and governance with Anne-Marie and discuss how this adjusts through different phases of a venture. We framed the discussion around 'small g' governance and 'big G' governance as needs change through scale and...
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Episode 32 - Scouting and Mobilising Intellectual Property with Megan Steele, CGIAR
Tech Transfer Talk
In this episode, I had the opportunity to talk with , from . Perhaps more accurately, she spoke with me as I offered my thoughts on Scouting and Mobilising Intellectual Property. We frame the conversation around a series of questions 'What problem are you solving?', 'How can you solve this problem and create value for stakeholders?' through to 'What does your solution / contribution look like?' I reflect on the phenomenon of technologies looking for problems to solve rather than starting with the problem in mind. A concept we often discuss with guests and indeed, with our partners at , is...
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Episode 31 - Tech Transfer in Australia: The battle for talent and resources with Natalie Chapman
Tech Transfer Talk
In this episode, we discuss the current challenges in tech transfer capacity, capabilities and resourcing within the Australian innovation system with . Natalie found her passion for tech transfer in her time at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation () after a short stint in the finance sector. Missing the science, she found a way to combine her interests in science and commercial outcomes, bringing together technology and industry opportunities. In 2012, Natalie established , who provide tech transfer communications, consulting and advisory services to the Australian...
info_outlineIn this episode, we discuss the current challenges in tech transfer capacity, capabilities and resourcing within the Australian innovation system with Natalie Chapman. Natalie found her passion for tech transfer in her time at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) after a short stint in the finance sector. Missing the science, she found a way to combine her interests in science and commercial outcomes, bringing together technology and industry opportunities. In 2012, Natalie established gemaker, who provide tech transfer communications, consulting and advisory services to the Australian research and private sectors.
We explore the absence of the tech transfer community’s voice in current discussions around innovation and research, and the pathways to and interfaces with industry and government policies. We discuss the challenges that are being presented as multiple, arguably uncoordinated innovation programs are initiated from various government departments and statutory corporate entities. These efforts, while arguably well intended, are straining the available Tech Transfer Office (TTO) resources, be it through work volume or through loss of capacity as programs compete for talent to drive innovation and tech transfer. The problem is exacerbated by a lack of pathway and training for entrants to the profession which is compounded by a lack of industrial experience amongst new hires.
Natalie outlines the case for TTO investment, framed around the returns on public monies invested in research and innovation. This is a contrast to a more typical cost-centre framing when looking at organisational and divisional budget allocations. We explore FOMO, a related Australian innovation culture challenge (also related to the reluctance to say “no”), and the importance of managing risk through active portfolio management and market intelligence gathering to underpin decision making.