TBIXI3

theSpotlight
have three big buckets of clients: life science businesses,
engineering and widget-type companies, and software
businesses. And sitting between those businesses are the
convergence of all those technologies, like clean-tech, the
creative industries sector, food technology and others, for
instance.
If we look at those companies, the things that make them
world class and successful is a clearly articulated value
proposition, solving problems using a defensible IP or rich
technology that gives the company some sustainable
competitive advantage. They are the companies in
our sweet spot and it means we have developed a
range of activities that are part of our product
offering relevant to those types of
companies.
How does Australia fare for
technology start-ups compared to
offshore locations?
There is sometimes an urge for
Australian firms to skip offshore
and try their luck in the bigger
markets of America and Asia,
particularly for technology companies.
But there are benefits in using the
Australian incubator networks and
support as an anchor point for offshore
expansion. I think the view that you have
to go to Silicon Valley to be successful is
flawed. It makes some flawed assumptions a b o u t
the opportunities here in Australia. A colleague of mine said
it very well: it isn't Silicon Valley or Australia, it is how to
take advantage of the best of both of those options.
So, what in your opinion is the best way forward?
I think really where we have to get to, is to show how
university technology commercialised through an incubator
that addresses a global market is a well-trodden path to
success. We have been able to help companies take
advantage of the great opportunity here in Australia but in a
way that facilitates entry into those overseas markets. I think
you should go to Silicon Valley if that is where your
customers are or where your investors are or where your
acquirers are. But if you are still developing a product and
proving that it works and understanding the commercial
opportunity, then Australia is a really great place to do that.
48 February - May 2013
It is very
easy to be drawn to
the bright lights of
Silicon Valley. But I have seen
it often leads to you becoming
road kill. And the reason is that
people think they can just go over
there and walk up and down
Sandhill Road spruiking (sic) their
pitch deck. Pretty quickly you realise t h a t
you don't stand up to scrutiny.
Can you give us a recent example?
Recently we have had a company here at ATP Innovations
called ScriptRock who have an office in Palo Alto and an
office here in our incubator. The investors in that company
are very happy with the situation. They can get great people
in Australia to do technology development and the
management team are close to customers and work on the
strategy to take over the world!
Phillip Kemp has qualifications in small business facilitation, company management and
agricultural science and has published widely on SME and micro-enterprise development issues with
particular reference to international best practice in business incubation operation. He has
conducted international research and published comparative international studies on the provision
of SME and micro-enterprise business advisory and support services. He is Chairperson of Business
Innovation and Incubation Australia and Director of the Asian Association of Business Incubation.
He has previously sat on a number of Federal and State Ministerial boards and committees,
investigating the provision of services and training to Australian SMEs.
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