The Australian Government has named up-and-coming technology centre Shanghai as the location for an innovation landing pad, one of five to be established under the Turnbull Government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda.
The announcement was made by the Hon. Christopher Pyne MP, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, and the Hon. Steve Ciobo MP, Minister for Trade and Investment.
The landing pads are being established in global hotspots to help Australian entrepreneurs take their ideas to market and build high-growth and high-return enterprises.
“Entrepreneurs accessing the landing pads will be assisted to commercialise their products and services through access to the expertise, infrastructure and innovation and marketing networks of local partners,” said Pyne.
“Landing pads are a key component of our agenda because they will build international collaboration performance by emerging Australian companies, enabling them to leverage the entrepreneurial expertise in these strategic hubs.”
The Australian Government will consult with the Chinese Government and other local stakeholders on the plan.
Ciobo said the Austrade delivered landing pad would further strengthen Australia’s trade relationship with China.
“Shanghai’s history of commerce and entrepreneurship makes it a good entry point to the huge Chinese market,” he said. “The landing pads are part of an $11.2 million investment under the agenda to build Australia’s global innovation capacity and market penetration by agile business start-ups and innovators.”
Two other landing pads are being established in San Francisco and Tel Aviv, while the host cities for the final two locations are yet to be announced.
