“Quicklook” Assessment of Greater Adelaide's Assets & Challenges ...

DSTO
SWOT
Strengths
o Many available technologies
o Technologies cover broad markets
o Good R&D skills
o Information system competencies
Weaknesses
o Marketing skills
o Lack of private sector good will
o Unknown portfolio management skills
o Undercapitalized commercialization office
o Short-term vision
Opportunities
o Apply R&D into private sector markets
o Royalties from licensing
o Areas of fast market growth available for licensing
Threats
o Change in governmental policies
o Market growth too slow in licensed technologies
Perceptions
o Appear to be doing a lot of things at once rather than focusing on key success
areas. Attempting to fund themselves with IP licensing and looking for larger
upfront costs to fund their project.
o I told them they needed success stories. If they attempt to hit home runs with VC
type deals all the time, they won’t create enough success stories. Work with
smaller companies and deals not so big to get started on success stories.
o Perceive they have problem with getting VCs down to view technologies.
o Should partner with local MSTC at Adelaide University to conduct Quicklooks
and In Depth assessments. Create win-win situation by allowing them to review
and then if viable allow them opportunity to commercialize.
Defense Science and Technology Organization
o Moderate Federal funding
o Involved in Radar, guided weapons, communication, IT, sonar, opto-electronics,
electronic warfare, command and control, land operations
o Operations and Technology Divisions
o Available interfaces with public for commercialization
o Technology Support Services – Contracts with individual companies
o Research agreements
o Licensing
o Industry alliances
o Collaborative R&D
o Contract R&D
o Centers of Excellence
o CRCs
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