2023: A year for innovation in energy and mining
2023 has been a big year for CORE and for our ecosystem. There has been so much innovation within the energy, mining and robotics industries and collaboration and new technology to transition the sector have been key themes as we work towards collectively achieving net-zero.
2023 Highlight reel
The Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct welcomed its first site users and numerous partners
The Hot 30 2023 Winners were announced from more than 80 applicants
The Adelaide Hub expanded into dedicated space in Lot Fourteen and we welcomed Simon Hareb to the team
Perth Hub welcomed Kate Spencer as Ecosystem Lead while Renu Kannu moved into the role of Business Engagement Lead
Newman Hub continued to grow with a number of events and initiatives supporting collaboration across the Pilbara region
The Pilbara Innovation Exchange was launched with 18 exhibitors, 12 sponsors and 16 speakers
CORE Innovation Zones double in 2023 with more that 16 companies exhibiting across the country
CORE Start saw another 12 companies graduate and present as part of CORE Start Ideas Night
More than 50 events run across the ecosystem
CORE was represented at more than 8 conferences throughout the year
CORE was appointed Operator of the new Rail Collaboration Centre
We are calling for collaboration partners for our EOI to operate the new GreenTech Hub
Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct
In 2022, CORE was appointed Operator of the Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct. In 2023, we were pleased to welcome the first users to this world-class robotics and automation testing and development facility. Supporting the advancement of automation, robotics, remote operations and zero emissions technologies globally, the AARP has built a strong ecosystem in 2023 welcoming several partners including City of Wanneroo, AMIRA, Robotics Australia, AROSE, Spacecubed, Innovation Central Perth, City of Joondalup, Edith Cowan University, and IMDEX.
The AARP has achieved significant growth in 2023 and you can find out more about the project and how you can get involved here.
Hot 30 2023 Announced
CORE kicked off the year with a bang, announcing the 2023 Hot 30 Awards with events in Perth, Newman and Adelaide. In 2023, we saw more than 80 applicants with the final list of 30 companies representing the full spectrum of energy and mining innovation with 8 individual Awards being presented including:
Innovator of the Year, Carbonix, presented by CORE Innovation Hub
WA Innovator of the Year, RockAI, presented by WA Department for Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation
SA Innovtor of the Year, LAAMP, presented by SA Department for Energy and Mining
Female Led Innovation, Industry OneCARD, presented by BHP
Sustainability Innovation, Magellan Power, presented by Riot Tinto
Emerging Industry Innovation, Global Energy Learning Solutions, presented by METS Ignited
Indigenous Innovation, Koodaideri, presented by CORE Innovation Hub
Equipment Innovation, SafeGauge, presented by Resource Capital Funds Jolimont Innovation
The Awards were also supported by Spacecubed, Unearthed, InvestMETS.
Applications for the 2024 Hot 30 Awards are now open! Announced in March 2024, we encourage innovators and technologies working across the energy, mining and robotics sectors to apply here.
Adelaide hub expanded in lot fourteen
We were also pleased to start 2023 by officially opening our expanded Adelaide Innovation Hub in Adelaide’s Lot Fourteen. Having operated in South Australia for two years, to see this new Hub provide the local ecosystem with a physical space for connection and collaboration has been very exciting. We were honoured to have the Minister for Energy and Mining, the Hon. Tom Koutsantonis formally open the Hub for us and to be gifted a piece of Malachite from the Burra mine in operation in South Australia in 1979.
In May, we welcomed Simon Hareb to the team as our Adelaide Innovation Hub Lead. Simon has been integral to growing our community in Adelaide and South Australia and making many valuable connections right across the ecosystem, including our latest partnership with Tactic which aims to connect innovators and industry right across South Australia’s regions. We have also been very pleased to welcome all our inaugural Hub members to the space including HiltCRC, 3NA, Datarock, Economical Energy, SCG World, Beyond Electrical Engineering, and Nova Terra.
Throughout the year we have been overwhelmed by the support of our ecosystem and have been privileged to host more than 50 events in the Hub including our CORE Connect series which has seen thought leaders including Tom Cawley, Founder of MaxMine, Hillgrove Resources CEO, Lachlan Wallace, Anya Hart, Principal Co-Design at BHP, Southern Launch’s CFO & COO, Rebecca Dawsley and Jose Hernandez from Fleet Space and Lumination’s Head of Industry and Defence, Mitchell Stapelton-Coorey share insights and knowledge with our community.
Perth Hub WELCOMES NEW TEAM MEMBERS AND SEES CONTINUED Growth
2023 was also a big year for our Perth Ecosystem. After 2 years as Perth Ecosystem Lead, Renu moved into her new role as Business Engagement Lead, helping to deliver continued value for our partners right the national ecosystem. We are very happy to have welcomed Kate Spencer to the team as the new Perth Ecosystem Lead. Kate has helped drive continued growth and activation for the Perth community and has delivered meaningful initiatives for members including CORE Start, supported by Radium Capital and Tech Talks sponsored by METS Ignited.
With more than 50 events hosted in Perth, it has been great to see many of the CORE Connect events and a number of co-hosted events with the likes of the AARP and Henderson Alliance sell out. Our CORE Start program was run twice throughout 2023 with 12 companies taking part in the CORE Start Ideas Nights. These early stage innovators presented to leading industry panels gaining feedback and insight in real time. We were also privilaged to host a series of professional development workshops including our Pitch Perfect workshops presented by Matt Ainsworth from Biz.Mind that saw more than 100 people attend online and in person.
We couldn’t be more thankful for the support from the Perth ecosystem. Seeing collaboration and connection with industry, innovators, government and academia is what drives us to continue building innovation infrastructure to help companies keep pushing boundaries within the energy and mining sector as we work to collectively bring about transition within the sector.
NEWMAN DRIVES GROWTH ACROSS THE PILABRA
Our Newan Innovation Hub, led by Natalie Jones has been at the forefront of creating connections between industry and innovators this year. We have seen our small but mighty Hub, sponsored by BHP, the WA Government and METS Ignited become an important part of the Pilbara business community.
This year we were pleased to host several events including a sold-out Mental Health First Aid course which saw more than 30 companies learn skills and tools to respond to mental health in the workplace. Also in 2023, in partnership with Adapt by Design, the platform that transforms businesses into high-achieving, resilient organisations, we were able to offer 3 local business owners 6-month Adapt by Design scholarships to build sustainable long-term growth for themselves and their teams. It has been fantastic to see Serene Bedlam Photography, Pilbara Graffiti Removal and Mark Keough Training go through the program and the outcomes that have been achieved by each of the respective businesses.
CORE Hub Newman was once again a proud sponsor of the Newman Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Excellence Awards. These awards highlight the incredible efforts of local businesses operating across the Newman area. We were pleased to be able to share the evening with a table of guests including local Pilbara MP Kevin Michel, Darren Morris from Wonbon Supply and Logistics, Sugraa and Bill Ashford from Techenomics Newman, and Santhana Dass and Anita from Marteq Energy.
The team also headed along to the Pilbara Summit again in 2023. Hosted in Karratha it was a pleasure to offer 8 businesses the opportunity to attend including Wonbon Supply and Logistics, Desert to Coast, Serene Bedlam Photography, Marteq Energy, Pilbara Environmental, Karratha Steel & Industrial Supplies, Impact Digi & Cheeditha Energy. CORE also hosted an Innovation Zone at the Conference which saw three companies including Magellan Power, Tan Ninety, and Techenomics showcase their businesses as part of the exhibition.
Pilbara Innovation Exchange the Stand Out of 2023
CORE Hub Newman hosted the inaugural Pilbara Innovation Exchange this year in partnership with the Perth Hub. Showcasing the depth of innovation and the dynamic and diverse businesses operating in the Pilbara, the Pilbara Innovation Exchange sought to unlock regional business success through a half day conference and business tradeshow featuring exculsively Pilbara based businesses.
Hosted at Bentley Tech Park in Perth, the Pilbara Innovation Exchnage featured curated keynote presentations to help Pilbara business owners develop the knowledge, skills and industry connections essential to resilient business growth. A stellar line up of innovators, investors, advisors, government and industry spoke including the likes of Dr Vanessa Rauland, Susan O’Byrne, Tom Goerke, Eliza Carbines, Kevin Michel MP, Becci Davidson and Madi Signa presented on the day. The event was actively supported by all of the regional Chambers of Commerce together with our sponsors Regional Development Australia, Kevin Michel MLA, Seed Innovation Hub, Tender Relief, Enterprise Business Hub, Rio Tinto, Visagio and Evolv3.
The Pilbara Innovation Exchange also had 18 Pilbara companies exhibit as part of the tradeshow and it was fantastic to be able to provide these companies the opportunity to showcase their businesses to thought-leaders and decision-makers working across the mining industry. A huge thank you to Kuuwa Rentals, Magellan Power Pilbara Operations, Solar Energy Robotics. Marteq Energy, Techenomics, Red Dog Renewables, Wonbon, Corps, Scope Business Imaging, Wrapped Creations, Action Solution, Pilbara Environmental, Host Corporation, Seth Diesel, Karlka Fencewright, Serene Bedlam Photography, Kulbardi and Impact Digi for being part of the Pilbara Innovation Exchange.
Stay tuned for the Innovate Pilbara Journal launching in early 2024.
INNOVATION ZONES DOUBLE IN 2023
Speaking of exhibits, in 2023 our CORE Innovation Zone’s doubled in size! CORE’s Innovation Zones exists to give small to medium-sized businesses the opportunity to take part in some of the industri’s largest and most important conferences and exhibitions at a fraction of the cost. In 2023, we were pleased to be able to take this invaluable initiative to leading energy and mining conferences including Austmine, WA Mining, IMARC and the aforementioned Pilbara Summit.
This year our Innovation Zone included 16 innovation partner companies including Soft Rigging Solutions, Tan Ninety, CAN Automotion, Economical Energy, Solar Energy Robotics, LAAMP, Magellan Power, Techenomics, Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct, Hermes & Soteria, RocketDNA, SCG World, RadiXplore, Team Agency, Electric Power Conversions Australia (EPCA), and SpaceDraft.
We will be running our Innovation Zones again in 2024 with opportunities announced in the new year.
CONFERENCES, CONFERENCES, CONFERENCES EVERYWHERE
This year the CORE team has been honoured to speak at 8 conferences including Future of Mining, Digitalisation in Mining, World Mining Congress, WA Mining, West Tech Fest, Indo-Pacific Space and Earth Conference, Future Energy Week and IMARC. It was great to see our team represent the energy, mining and robotics industries and provide thought leadership and insight into building successful ecosystems right across Australia.
Along with our presence at conferences throughout the year, a highlight has to be Business Engagement Lead, Renu Kannu hosting the METS Innovation Pitch Battle at IMARC. Featuring 6 companies including EcoHoist, RadiXplore, Corehesion, EPCA, Torqn and Ziltek. The METS Pitch Battle underscored the mining industry's commitment to reshaping the value chain in pursuit of sustainability and innovation. These themes, combined with the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies and a focus on collaboration and engagement, are setting the course for a greener, more efficient, and prosperous future for the mining sector.
Sean Manning, CEO of Ziltek (South Australia), and Clayton Franklin, Chief Engineer of Electric Power Conversions Australia (Western Australia), emerged as the winners of IMARC's 2023 METS Pitch Battle each receiving 6 months of complimentary part-time memberships at the Perth CORE Hub and Adelaide CORE Hub.
Rail Collaboration Centre Announced
If 2023 wasn't jam-packed enough, just this month alongside West Tech Fest, CORE was pleased to announce we have been appointed Operator of the Rail Collaboration Centre by the WA Government. In partnership with the Australasian Rail Association, the Rail Collaboration Centre is set to be established in Karratha with nodes in Newman and Perth.
The Rail Collaboration Centre is expected to generate opportunities for local manufacturing, new industry activity, create jobs, and localise training opportunities. The Centre will also fill a strategic gap as a collaboration platform to undertake world-class testing, research and development of new rolling stock, infrastructure, technology, and ideas.
GreenTech Hub EOI Application
To round out 2023, CORE has announced it plans to submit an EOI for the role of Operator of the soon to be established GreenTech Hub. At CORE Innovation Hub, we recognise the significant opportunity of Western Australia’s strengths and natural resources to connect the people, capital, skills and technology that is critical in solving climate challenges.
We are delighted to extend an open invitation to individuals and organisations that would like to contribute to CORE’s expression of interest submission to establish and operate the Western Australian GreenTech Innovation Hub recently announced by the Hon. Stephen Dawson, Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy and Science.
The Hub will aim to support and grow local emerging and established green technology businesses - and to drive innovation in Western Australia in support of a sustainable low carbon future. This will be made possible through a $40M partnership with the Government of Western Australia and Gorgon Joint Venture operated by Chevron Australia.
As part of our submission for Operator, CORE Innovation Hub has begun assembling the ecosystem that will collaborate to deliver a world class GreenTech Hub. If you are interested in being part of that ecosystem (industry, academia, entrepreneur support, funding, associations, associated communities within green tech) as a partner, supplier or innovator, please register your details here.
be a part of CORE in 2024!
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