Innovation centres funded by South Australian manufacturer Hills Limited and the State Government have already attracted project bids.
Hills CEO Ted Pretty told a gathering at today’s official opening of the two new innovation centres that tomorrow’s inaugural Hills “pitch day” will feature eight shortlisted submissions from Australian innovators.
The shortlist of eight has been selected from 30 submissions made by Australian innovators and will be presented to a selection panel of commercial and academic experts.
Pretty said it was an exciting and important day for the company.
“We have a proud tradition of innovation which started with the Hills Hoist in an Adelaide workshop some 70 years ago so it’s great to return to the place where it all began to look for the innovations of tomorrow,” he said.
“Our partnership with the South Australian government and local universities is about finding the great Australian innovation of the 21st century.
“The new centres will support the best and brightest Australians to bring their ideas to fruition and ultimately, to market.
“Importantly, we’re really looking for innovation in the areas that can make a real difference to people’s lives, like health care, aged and home care and safety and security.”
The Lance Hill Design Centre and Hills D-Shop have been created in collaboration with UniSA, Flinders University and the University of Adelaide to drive innovation as well as support and foster start-ups.
It was opened today by Premier Jay Weatherill who said Hills Ltd has become a leader in delivering technology and communications solutions into homes, hospitals, businesses and governments.
“It is recognised as a company that has sought and identified ways to build growth in rapidly changing economic conditions,” the Premier said.
“This achievement is an excellent example of the broader transformation we must urgently achieve in the manufacturing sector in South Australia.
“These centres will unearth and reward local design expertise and collaborate with key educational and research institutions and the rich pool of independent designers in Australia.”
The innovation centres project is funded through a $5 million agreement between Hills Limited and the South Australian Government announced in February.
They are estimated to help create about 50 high-end jobs and have attracted more than 30 submissions from Australian entrepreneurs.
The Design Centre will be focussed on advancing innovation in user-centred design while the Hills D-Shop will concentrate on discovering and commercialising digital innovation.
