The Creative Industries Innovation Centre (CIIC) provides the following services to suit creative practitioners and businesses of different sizes and types - from start-ups to grown-ups.
1. Business Support
The CIIC offers business development resources and services to help Australian creative companies become more innovative, efficient and competitive.
The Centre provides:
• Business advisory services through our national team of experienced business advisers
• Referral to Commonwealth government funding programs to support business growth
• Online business resources
• Tailored creative industry business workshops
2. Commercialisation
When it comes to running a successful creative business, commercial success relies on identifying new ways to connect with markets, service sectors and commercialisation opportunities.
The CIIC is therefore working with university, commercial and government partners to build new pathways including:
• The CIIC Accelerator program, which connects high-potential creative companies with business consultants in IP law, growth strategy, technology innovation and finance
• Services to help creative entrepreneurs kick-start and test their business ideas
• Information and referrals for existing businesses looking for incubation, mentoring and finance programs, including referrals to Commercialisation Australia, which helps innovative companies convert their ideas into successful commercial ventures
• Partnering with commercial partners to explore financing options
3. Education and Training
Many creative businesses find it difficult to recruit and retain talented staff, who play a pivotal role in building creative cultures.
As a result, the CIIC is working with industry and universities to develop training opportunities and guidelines for professional practitioners and business managers, such as:
• Undergraduate ‘enterprise learning' and internship opportunities
• Postgraduate commercialisation and know-how
• Skills development, leadership master and entrepreneurial business training
• Training and education for specific creative sectors
4. Research and Technology
Many small to medium enterprises find it difficult to access state-of-the-art research and technology.
As a result, the CIIC is brokering new access models that will allow creative small to medium enterprises to research expertise and infrastructure within Australian universities, Government programs and other technology providers.
The CIIC can refer creative businesses to university and Government programs such as ‘Researchers in Business' and ‘Technology Connect', and broker new industry research partnerships between industry and university partners.
5. Connecting Knowledge and Innovation
Exchanging ideas and inspirations is highly conducive to innovation. As a result, the CIIC is developing collaborative opportunities that will connect creative industries with the innovation economy.
The CIIC does this by:
• Bringing international practice and thought leadership to Australia
• Hosting public events and providing online content and debate
• Showcasing creative industry successes and innovation within Australia
• Seeding innovative projects and testing new markets
• Generating / publishing new research knowledge
The CIIC will aim to identify trends and business challenges that are shaping the future of the creative industries.
In 2010, the CIIC will focus on the following innovation themes:
• Digital innovation: the CIIC will help to unveil opportunities for creative businesses in emerging technology platforms following the roll out of the Australian national broadband network
• Design integration: Can design be better integrated as an innovation catalyst within the manufacturing industry and sustainability agenda?
• Designing new business models: The CIIC will investigate new creative business models, intellectual property trends and revenue streams for creative businesses
Find out more
To find out more about how you can benefit from our CIIC services, please contact Adam Blake, Director of Programs and Partnerships - adam.blake@uts.edu.au or call 02 8217 5006.