The landmark Defence Strategic Review (DSR) released in 2023 set out fundamentally new frameworks for how the Department of Defence engages with local industry to develop and acquire advanced capabilities.
For traditional defence industry suppliers, there is a well-trodden path to engaging with Defence. But this is often not the case for deep tech startups and highly technical small businesses that are developing products based on what has become know as ‘dual-use technologies’.
With the establishment of the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator as a part of the DSR, Defence has restructured capability development and the way that it engages with industry – especially on the fast-moving dual-use technologies.
Dual-use tech covers everything from artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, to robotics, rocketry, photonics, lasers and cyber.
InnovationAus.com is proud to have partnered with the Department of Defence to produce the inaugural Dual-Use Forum 2024: Bridging Industry and Defence, a high-level, half-day forum designed to bring the senior civilian and uniformed ranks of Defence into the same room as startup innovators, venture capitalists and researchers.
Many deep tech startups building products and services for civilian commercial markets have had little exposure to Defence and may not have considered the potential for their products in a defence application.
This Dual-Use Forum is designed as a cultural, technical and commercial mashup, putting entrepreneurs and innovators in the same room as Defence capability acquisition leaders. It is aimed particularly at those SMEs and startups that have not had exposure to Defence.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Professor Tanya Monro AC, Chief Defence Scientist, Head of Defence Science and Technology Group and Capability Manager for Innovation, Science and Technology, Department of Defence
- Chris Deeble AO CSC, Deputy Secretary, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, Department of Defence
- Professor Emily Hilder, Head of the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator, Department of Defence
- Ivan Power, Chief Executive Officer, National Reconstruction Fund Corporation
- More to come
This event aims to foster a deeper understanding and collaboration between local deep tech small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and Defence, particularly those innovators that have not considered the potential of their work in defence applications.
“The Dual-Use Summit 2024 is a great opportunity for local deep tech entrepreneurs and researchers working on civilian commercial products and services to meet directly with senior Defence capability leadership to get a first-hand understanding of opportunities in the defence sector,” said InnovationAus.com publisher Corrie McLeod.
“The flow-on impact of the Defence Strategic Review has dramatically changed the way that the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force engages with the local industry, and with our outstanding deep tech innovators,” Ms McLeod said.
“There are real opportunities here. If you are a deep tech entrepreneur, researcher or vernture capitalist working with dual-use technologies – collectively targeted under the AUKUS Pillar II arrangements – this event is for you.
The InnovationAus.com and Department of Defence Dual-Use Summit 2024 is a one-off event. Tickets are strictly limited and targeted at a qualified audience. You can visit the booking website to apply, and your attendance will be confirmed via email.
The Dual-Use Forum 2024: Bridging Industry and Defence event will be held 8.30am to 12.30pm on Friday 21 June at the Warren Theatre at The Museum of Sydney. You can apply for your ticket here.
