In the two-and-a-half years since it launched, the CBR Innovation Network (CBRIN) has touched the lives of literally hundreds of creatives, aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers and investors.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
But there's still work to be done according to the network's new CEO, Petr Adamek.
Mr Adamek was appointed chief of CBRIN this week, taking over the reigns from founding CEO Dr Sarah Pearson.
The innovation network was founded by the ACT government in 2014 to accelerate innovation and diversify the ACT region's economy.
Mr Adamek said it was time to take the network to the "next level". In his new role, he'll further build the CBRIN team, establish relationships within critical industries and extend the network's relationships internationally.
"I'd like the network to reach out more and collaborate more with the priority sectors of the ACT economy - including cybersecurity, defence, sport, health, education and research," Mr Adamek said.
"I want to build smart strategic engagement outside of Canberra as well - to build relationships with the wider region and also internationally.
"We've started doing that by building relationships with Singapore and Wellington but I'd like to take it to the next level - so it'll be national regional and international connections that entrepreneurs and innovators here can utilise and tap into as they go.
"The network has strong growing relationships with China - especially manufacturing in Shenzhen - and other places like Silicon Valley and London that I would like strengthen."
Mr Adamek attributed the success of CBRIN to date to "true collaboration".
Seven innovation programs, a series of workshops and a co-working space of more than 40 start-ups sit within the network - jointly funded by the ACT government, ANU, CSIRO, CIT, Data61, University of Canberra, the University of NSW Canberra, and a group of private sector partners.
"I continue to be amazed by one thing and that's the fact that major academic and research institutions in this town - who are world-renowned - are actually working together in the network," he said.
"They are at the table, they are collaborating and they are committed to a vision.
"So where others in this setting would be competing, in Canberra they are collaborating, and I believe it's probably the network's biggest success story."
Mr Adamek, a business growth expert who has consulted to hundreds of start-ups internationally, said he had always been a futurist who was "inspired by change".
He listed the STIR program, Australia's only entrepreneurial program for young creatives, and STEM SELLS, a program aimed at inspiring teenage girls into science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers, as examples of CBRIN's best work.
"Two and a half years of existence is not a long time and the resources haven't been massive but I think we have contributed to the fact that innovation in Canberra is now truly recognised as a movement," Mr Adamek said.
"The network is now the central connector for innovation activity. But our work is not done - we have a lot to do.
"I'm very passionate about inspiring other people to grow and succeed, and I'm looking forward to the next chapter."
