UNDERSTANDING NETWORKED INNOVATION: CONNECTING IDEAS FOR GREATER IMPACT

15 November 2024

In today’s fast-paced world, innovation rarely happens in isolation. More than ever, breakthroughs emerge when people from different sectors, backgrounds, and areas of expertise come together to share ideas and collaborate. This collective approach is known as networked innovation.

At its heart, networked innovation is about harnessing the power of connections. By bringing together high-growth ventures, universities, the public sector, and investors, we can spark creativity and develop solutions that might not surface when working alone. When diverse talents and organisations collaborate, they combine their unique perspectives and expertise, leading to fresh ideas and innovative thinking.

This approach is crucial because the challenges we face today are often complex and multifaceted. No single individual or organisation has all the answers. By connecting high-growth ventures with academic research from universities, support from the public sector, and resources from investors, we enrich the pool of ideas and accelerate problem-solving. Collaborative efforts foster creativity, and exposure to new viewpoints stimulates innovative thinking. Moreover, these connections can lead to partnerships and initiatives that might not have been possible otherwise.

During Tech Week at the Cremorne Digital Hub, we saw networked innovation in action. The hub was alive with energy as startups engaged with university researchers, tech enthusiasts shared insights with public sector representatives, and entrepreneurs found common ground with investors. These interactions weren’t just casual chats—they were the starting points for potential collaborations and innovations. For example, a tech startup and a university team might brainstorm a new digital solution based on cutting-edge research, highlighting how connecting different dots can lead to groundbreaking concepts.

At the Cremorne Digital Hub, we’re passionate about fostering these connections. We believe that by providing a space where ideas can collide—whether it’s between high-growth ventures, academia, industry, or investors—we can help drive innovation forward. Through events, workshops, or simply offering a place for people to meet and talk, we’re dedicated to connecting the dots across our networked innovation ecosystem.

Innovation thrives when we come together. We invite you to be part of this collaborative journey. So come to our events and reach out if we can help your company connect the dots across our networked innovation ecosystem. Whether you’re looking to share your ideas or find new inspiration, there’s a place for you here. Together, we can turn exciting ideas into reality and take innovation to new heights.

After all, when we unite our efforts, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.

Peter Osborne
CEO
Cremorne Digital Hub

THE HEART OF INNOVATION AND GROWTH: SOME REFLECTIONS ON TECH WEEK 

10 November 2024

When we kicked off Tech Week at the CDH, we had a sense that we were in for something special. But honestly, seeing our space come alive the way it did was beyond anything we could’ve imagined. The energy was electric—innovators, industry leaders, startups, and tech enthusiasts all mingling under one roof. In short, Tech Week really showcased the vibrant innovation ecosystem we have here in Victoria.

Strolling through the hub during the week, it struck me how CDH had become more than just a venue; it felt like the heartbeat of the tech community. Everywhere I looked, people were deep in conversation—over coffee, in workshops, after panel discussions. Ideas were bouncing around, connections were being made, and you could just tell that some of these casual chats were the start of something big.

What makes me particularly proud is how CDH helps our community of partners navigate the sometimes overwhelming innovation landscape. Let’s face it, this space can be complex and scattered. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or an established business trying to keep up with the latest trends, it can be a lot to handle. That’s why we’re so passionate about connecting the dots—linking industries, fostering collaborations, and turning great ideas into reality.

Tech Week was a perfect example of this mission in action. We hosted a mix of events catering to all corners of the tech world. Startups had the chance to pitch their ideas, established companies explored new collaborations, and everyone walked away having learnt something new. The buzz was incredible, and the feedback we’ve had shows just how valuable these connections are.

Reflecting on Tech Week, it reminded me why we do what we do at CDH. Innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it thrives when people come together, share ideas, and collaborate. Our role is to make that happen, to create spaces where the tech community can connect and grow. I encourage you to enjoy this short video which captures the electric energy of Tech Week 2024.

Here’s to keeping the momentum going, connecting more dots, and shaping the future of tech in Victoria!

Peter Osborne
CEO
Cremorne Digital Hub

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INTERNATIONAL DELEGATION VISIT - KANSAI ECONOMIC FEDERATION (KANKEIREN)

06 March 2024

Invest Victoria hosted Japanese delegation, the Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren). The 31 person delegation included senior executives from large Japanese corporates, including Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Iwatani Corporation, and Nippon Steel Engineering, keen to learn more about Cremorne Digital Hub.

CREMORNE CONNECT - GENERATIVE AI

05 March 2024

A tactical exploration that will empower tech leaders looking for real strategies and solutions to help their team navigate the ethical labyrinth of generative AI. Key speaker for this event was human-centred designer and generative AI expert Juliette Connolly – Customer Strategist and Customer Transformation Leader for IBM iX.

Find out more: https://dif.vic.gov.au/article/15585-a/delving-into-genai-ethics-with-juliette-connolly-at-cremorne-connect

OSAKA INNOVATION HUB

19 - 23 February 2024

Cremorne Digital Hub were delighted to host a week long visit by Osaka Innovation Hub entrepreneurship students. 

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7170231034163261440

FUTURE TALENT SHOWCASE 

22 February 2024 

This event was designed to inform and connect tech industry representatives, both from Cremorne and Victoria with teams from Universities, TAFES and other accredited experience providers to increase the number of students and individuals undertaking work integrated learning experiences through tech organisations. Through this, industry can access a future pipeline of diverse talent, gain fresh perspectives on their projects and improve employment outcomes to meet tech force requirements.

Find out more: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C31auSWPXWU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

FUTURE HORIZONS CONFERENCE  

02 February 2024 

Cremorne Digital Hub partnered with The Startup Network to sponsor the Future Horizons conference. A one day event targeted at the startup community to look at the future of work and society. 

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7160388025649139713 

PSYCHOLOGY OF THE HACKER 

06 December 2023 

Facilitated by Cremorne Digital Hub, leading La Trobe University subject matter experts Dr Prakash Veeraraghavan and Dr Dalal Hannah shared their insights, as well as some practical tips to protect your digital future.

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7137977143086485504

INDIAN CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR INNOVATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND START-UPS VISIT 

05 December 2023

Invest Victoria hosted the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the peak industry body in India who represent over 300,000 organisations across the country. The CII brought a delegation of innovative start-ups who are a part of their Centre of Excellence for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Start-ups (CIES). The CIES is a platform for building a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem in India, connecting start-ups with the resources they need to succeed, and providing global connections to fuel innovation and growth.

OPEN INNOVATION WITH ASTN 

29 November 2023

Partner event with the Australian Sports Tech Network where we heard from Henry Chesbrough, the father of open innovation, about the latest trends in open innovation and learn about the newest open innovation challenges ASTN is facilitating in sports and sportstech.

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7132593814925414400

RMIT ASEAN DIGITAL READINESS AND RESILIENCE PROGRAM 

22 November 2023 

International delegation visit 

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7134788810055331840

COMMITTEE FOR MELBOURNE - DIGITALISATION OF BUSINESS

16 November 2023 

Cremorne Digital Hub hosted Committee for Melbourne’s event which explored disruptive innovation through the lens of businesses and their approach to digital transformation. 

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/committee-for-melbourne_we-were-thrilled-to-head-to-the-cremorne-activity-7133259562052177920-OowS 

RMIT INDUSTRY PITCH EVENTS

26 October 2023

Cremorne Digital Hub hosted the RMIT Industrial Design student cohorts and industry representatives from Strongroom AI and Whistle Design to showcase their end of project pitches

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/williamdim_reflecting-on-success-the-strongroom-ai-activity-7125646222945599488-4XDR 

JETRO INTERNATIONAL DELEGATION VISIT 

7 October 2023 

Cremorne Digital Hub and Artesian hosted Jetro, METI Idom and Hivery and 11 extraordinary startups from Japan.
We heard presentations from MCR on Cremorne Digital Hub as the new gateway for Japanese startups entering the Victorian VC ecosystem. We also heard from supporters Idom and Hivery who spoke from first hand experience about the business opportunities in Victoria for Japanese entrants.

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7118044396113051648 

OMANI SME AUTHORITY VISIT 

22 September 2023 

Meeting with a delegation from the Omani SME Authority was a valuable time of sharing knowledge, experiences and challenges in respective regions. CDH has offered to maintain ongoing dialogue to support the government backed initiative in its efforts to grow the Omani innovation ecosystem.

HONG KONG SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PARK VISIT 

22 September 2023

Cremorne Digital Hub represented on a panel to address the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park delegation hosted by Invest Victoria. The opportunity has opened discussion with a number of Hong Kong based companies who are looking for support and opportunity to establish a presence in Victoria.

MALAYSIA DIGITAL ECONOMY CORPORATION VISIT 

18 September 2023

Cremorne Digital Hub and MDEC explored opportunities to open up new markets for StartUps and ScaleUps. We also shared the work each of our hubs are doing to fast-track innovation by connecting our wider industries to local tech ecosystems.

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7114848802234122242 

BSIDES MELBOURNE 

08 - 10 September 2023 

Cremorne Digital Hub were proud to be the Diversity and Inclusion sponsor of Bsides Melbourne. 

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7106072044349394944 

CYBER SECURITY ESCAPE ROOM 

06 September 2023

A Cyber Security Escape Room experience was hosted at Cremorne Digital Hub in partnership with La Trobe University. This immersive event gave industry participants a real-life scenario of dealing with a cyber breach, and training in how to manage these potential situations.

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7112294499241910272

WOMEN IN TECH: WHAT IS GOOD MENTORSHIP?

06 September 2023

A co-design workshop was led by CDH which explored the opportunities for targeted mentoring programs to elevate the skills and capabilities of the tech sector and broaden opportunities for participation. Inspiration was provided by a panel comprising female tech leaders from IBM, MYOB and Versa. 

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7107939889446326273 

WOMEN IN TECH: LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST

06 September 2023

A senior women’s Executives in Tech breakfast in partnership with Newfound Global discussing the challenges of menopause and high-powered careers. 

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7106784549782659072 

CDH COMMUNITY CHALLENGE 

05 September 2023

CDH’s inaugural Community Challenge was held as part of DIF2023. This hackathon format event looked at three ‘Wicked Problems’: Homelessness, Social Isolation and Climate Change. It brought together some of Cremorne’s leading digital organisations to build networks across the community and engage their thought leaders in addressing some of the broader community’s greatest challenges. This year’s participating teams included REA, Carsales, Bastion Agency, Versa and CDH. 

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7105797268976386049

GENERATIVE AI: OPPORTUNITIES AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

31 August 2023

Panel discussion with ACM, Association for Computing Machinery and AI4Diversity to discuss AI ethics and opportunities,  the practical applications to the ethical impacts of this uncharted landscape.

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7103096942509907968

LLM WORKSHOP WITH NVIDIA

30 August 2023

CDH and Artestian’s BoabAI hosted a workshop and fireside chat with NVIDIA which explored ‘Transforming the Future: Large Language Models’ as presented by Ettikan K Karuppiah, NVIDIA Chief Technologist. 

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7102795081086025728

BBSAU - YOUNG ACHIEVERS AI WORKSHOP

19 August 2023

Promoting marginalised audiences into tech careers through hosting a workshop for the Big Brother Big Sisters Australian Young Achievers Program on careers in digital including an AI workshop delivered by AI Co Pilot. 

LAUNCHVIC VICTORIAN INNOVATION MISSION

9 August 2023

Connecting regional Victorian tourism businesses and industry bodies with innovative and game-changing startups. 

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7094879147671367680/

DIGITAL INTERNSHIP FAIR

1 August 2023

The Digital Futures Internship Fair delivered by Melbourne Connect provided Cremorne Digital Hub the opportunity to showcase up to 150 students with ambitions for digital careers to a range of Cremorne tech companies including Versa and Churchill Club members.

CREMORNE CONNECT: INNOVATION AND DIVERSITY

19 July 2023

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7087573357780467712

VERSA AGENCY TEAM HACKATHON

06 July 2023

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7083983371076337664

BUILDING A DIGITAL HEALTH INNOVATION COMMUNITY

29 June 2023

An initiative by Nakoudu to build a community of Digital Health Innovators to support, encourage, and collaborate with each other.

CEO ROUNDTABLE: FUTURE OF WORK

29 June 2023

CEO Roundtable: Future of Work CDH hosted an executive level conversation looking at the Future of Work and how AI is changing the workplace. Robust discussions were held around many topics including AI increasing productivity, automation disruption and prospects for creating more jobs in the long term through to the use of ChatGPT in the workplace and how to manage the outputs. Executives from CarGroup, 7 Eleven, Pact Group Holdings Ltd, Artesian and Homes Trades Hub Australia were part of the conversation.

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7081484006688489472/ 

RMIT ASEAN DIGITAL READINESS AND RESILIENCE PROGRAM

16 June 2023

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7076700649962287104

RMIT ASEAN DIGITAL READINESS AND RESILIENCE PROGRAM

12 May 2023

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7064721245400961024

"WHEN NOW MEANS NOW" BOOK LAUNCH

10 May 2023

“When now means NOW!” book launch by author Mary-Beth Hoskin was hosted by CDH in partnership with Appscore. This book helps people make big bold career moves and draw upon their unique backgrounds to differentiate themselves and lean upon transferable lessons. 

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7062232527469522944

FROM ANCIENT AGRICULTURE TO THE FUTURE OF AGTECH

03 May 2023

Panel discussion with the Churchill Club where speakers shared their expertise on the latest advancements in agricultural technology, challenges in the sector, and how industry players can collaborate and work together.

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7059696489169637376

AI FOR INDUSTRY EXHIBITION WITH RMIT CIARI

27 April 2023

RMIT’s AI for Industry Day co-sponsored by CDH where audiences got to interact with the latest in robotics and learning more about AI models, practical implications for businesses and enterprises, their impact on workforce, talent, and skill, and some of the ethical, policy and environmental implications. 

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7057512855943725056

GENERATIVE AI PANEL DISCUSSION

30 March 2023

Panel presentation with Adrian Pearce (UoM), Ghislaine Entwisle (Protiviti Aus), Sveta Freidman (Xero), Rita Arrigo (RMIT), Kaushalya Gunatilaka (Boab) and Steve Nouri (Wand)

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7048489471419322368

SAFER INTERNET DAY: CDH WITH RMIT CENTRE FOR CYBER SECURITY RESEARCH INNOVATION

07 February 2023

Safer Internet Day is a worldwide initiative which brings together communities, families, schools and organisations to help create safer online spaces. CDH co-hosted an event with RMIT Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation (CCSRI) which included an expert panel from industry and RMIT to speak about the different ways we can create a safer internet and digital economy for all Victorians and beyond. 

AI AUSTRALIA - MEET THE WOMEN LEADING THE WAY

01 December 2022

An inspiring panel discussion with Karin Verspoor (RMIT), Angela Kim (Women in AI Aus Ambassador, Nicole Robinson (Lyro Robotics) and Roslyn Hames (Clear Dynamics) to highlight from the perspective of female leaders in AI, how we can collectively influence greater diversity from entry level to leadership roles, and the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping society.