With funding of $20 million over four years, the Clean Energy Innovation Centre (CEIC) will be based in Newcastle. It will help enhance the performance of Australia's small and medium sized clean energy companies by providing a range of business improvement services.
The CEIC helps small and medium size businesses (SMEs) improve their productivity and competitiveness by providing professional business advisory and development services. The Centre will also help to build collaboration between researchers and businesses, and assist clean energy businesses to access the latest technologies and market specific information.
The Government has announced Newcastle Innovation, Australian Institute for Commercialisation (AIC) and the Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association as its preferred partners to deliver eligible SMEs with a range of targeted services including:
- Comprehensive review of the firm that identifies its strengths and weaknesses, strategic business issues, potential areas for business improvement and potential areas for growth;
- Matching grants for addressing areas identified by the review for improvement/growth;
- Finding and adapting the latest research and technology to help firms improve their products and manufacturing processes;
- Providing access to specialist facilities and advice to turn innovative ideas into new products or to test products for new markets;
- Helping to identify export markets and understanding relevant regulatory, cultural and market issues;
- Helping firms to become export ready, including through developing management and marketing skills; and
- Identifying sources of government support for the firm's innovation and export activities.
Through the Clean Energy Innovation Centre, businesses will also be able to gain quick access to services provided under Austrade's Clean Energy Export Strategy.
For further information, call the Enterprise Connect Hotline between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm (AEST) on 131 791 (Australian callers only) or email enterpriseconnect@innovation.gov.au.