Tonsley Entrepreneurs

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (14:32): My question is to the Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation. Can the minister inform the chamber about how Tonsley is bringing innovators and entrepreneurs together?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:32): I thank the honourable member for her very, very sensible question on a matter that is of great importance to South Australia. We know that a resilient, diverse and globally-focused South Australian economy is going to increasingly rely on innovative business and start-ups. That's why we continue to develop our vibrant start-up and entrepreneurial ecosystem in Adelaide.

Currently, Adelaide has more than a hundred programs on offer to support entrepreneurs—some funded by the government and others funded by the private sector. The companies out at Tonsley represent a great array and a great example of such companies. I am pleased to be able to say that last night I had the privilege of attending the inaugural Icebreaker event, Icebreaker16, hosted out at Tonsley by Matt Salier, the director of Flinders University's New Venture Institute at Tonsley.

The event provided unique access to some of the most interesting innovative and entrepreneurial minds in this city and, indeed, internationally, all at the same place at the same time. Tonsley's main assembly building came to life with food trucks, entertainment and speaking sessions, coupled with more than 1,000 people participating in a Guinness world record attempt for speed networking: meeting at least 20 people for three minutes at a time over a 90-minute period. That works out to 20,000 networking meetings over 90 minutes. The mind boggles with the logistics needed to advance that feat. It will be some days before we know if the result constitutes a world record and will enter into the Guinness Book of World Records, but, by all accounts, it will be very, very close.

Whether or not it makes that world record, the Icebreaker was certainly the largest and most successful networking event Adelaide has ever hosted. The same could be said for Australia and, as I understand, the Southern Hemisphere. It is fair to say that nowhere else is this type of networking opportunity offered, other than in our state and at the unique innovation precinct at Tonsley.

It is a microcosm of the best of the South Australian innovation landscape. Last night's networking event was all about collaboration, featuring high profile entrepreneurs such as Kevin Koym from Tech Ranch in Austin, along with top researchers from Flinders, business leaders, those building their businesses and students. NVI's Icebreaker16 forms an integral part of South Australia's Open State events, 10 days of collaboration, innovation and ideas that address the complex challenges of the future.

The New Ventures Institute (NVI) at Flinders is helping to drive South Australian innovation and entrepreneurship, and represents a hub for established and aspiring entrepreneurs as well as the next generation of start-ups. It supports these ambitious minds to create new businesses and to challenge business models by a range of programs that offer expert assistance and mentorship.

South Australia is building itself an international reputation as a leader in research, knowledge creation, innovation and entrepreneurship. With world-class opportunities like Icebreaker, South Australia is setting the national benchmark for coordinated support of entrepreneurship and, although we do not have a monopoly on these types of events, we are certainly gaining an enviable reputation for hosting these sorts of things.

The government acknowledges that the transition to a modern and innovative economy takes bold actions to build these sorts of advanced technologies, globally competitive and high-value firms. That is why the recent state budget strengthens our commitment to supporting these types of innovation precincts. We had, in the state budget, a $4.7 million commitment to become Australia's first Gig City, that is, at least one gigabit capable speeds to our innovation precincts, taking ultra high-speed internet to key innovation sites across metropolitan Adelaide, including sites like Tonsley.

I congratulate all those who attended Icebreaker 2016 last night and who made a contribution to the innovation landscape of this state. In particular, I want to thank Matt Salier, the director of the New Ventures Institute, for his vision and commitment to establishing South Australia as an epicentre for innovation and entrepreneurship in our region.