Microsoft launches South Australia Innovation Centre

Accelerating the growth of startups and fostering innovation in the local economy

5 March, 2015 – Sydney, Australia: The South Australian business landscape receives an enormous boost today with the launch of the Microsoft Innovation Centre South Australia (MICSA) in Adelaide – to help drive the next generation of startups and entrepreneurs, as well as accelerate the growth of small to medium enterprises.

The MICSA aims to graduate more than 40 start-ups, engage with at least 250 people through training initiatives and create at least 80 jobs for the local South Australian economy through the start-up ecosystem over the next 18 months from launch.

The MICSA will open this evening at an official ceremony where Premier Jay Weatherill will join Microsoft representatives, partners, startups and entrepreneurs to celebrate local talent and to recognise an important milestone for South Australia’s economy.

Premier Jay Weatherill said the Microsoft Innovation Centre would continue to unlock the State’s potential as a place to do business and investment. “This new centre is a boon for South Australia and our emerging entrepreneurial community,” Mr Weatherill said.

“A more digitally-enabled economy will drive new opportunities for the State Government to engage with community and deliver better services for all South Australians. Importantly, it will drive innovation and help deliver sustainable jobs growth in industries of the future.”

The Centre will act as a hub of innovation for participants to exchange ideas, share resources, mentor and build on each other’s strengths – translating those assets into greater potential business success for the future.

Brian Kealey, State Director, Microsoft Australia says the launch of the South Australian Microsoft Innovation Centre will help bridge the gap for startups in their journey, by equipping and inspiring them to innovate.

“At MICSA we are bringing together the best and brightest startups in the local area, supporting them to reach their goals as they move through the mentoring and founder training curriculum. Our mission is to nurture our local talent when they need it the most, with products, resources and connections to drive further innovation,” said Mr Kealey.

Microsoft Innovation Centre South Australia will include:

  • Technical Training and Resources: Running regular training events and full day workshops, as well as access to free software and cloud credits through the Microsoft BizSpark and BizSpark Plus programs
  • Business Development: Free access to meeting rooms and event facilities to help them kick-start their product launches
  • Connection to industry: Working with other incubation and acceleration programs, as well as connection with Microsoft’s customer and partner network
  • Microsoft BizSpark Speaker Series: Run in partnership with Microsoft’s MICSA partners to equip SMEs and startups with the all the necessary business skills they need to run their business efficiently

Tung Tran, is the Co-Founder and Director of myEvidence, as well as one of the early foundation members of MICSA. MyEvidence enables a mobile device to document electronic forms of evidence to enhance investigations, eliminating out-dated methods such as notebooks and digital cameras.

“As an early MICSA member, Microsoft has enabled us to bring the idea to life, through business training, mentoring, and marketing – as well as connecting us with industry experts, who have been invaluable in getting myEvidence off the ground,” said Tran.

MICSA is part of a network of over 100 Microsoft Innovation Centres (MICs) in 42 different countries worldwide. The Microsoft Innovation Centre in South Australia joins the Queensland Microsoft Innovation Centre that was opened in 2012.

-Ends-

To read more about MISCA’s five innovative startups visit INNOVATION OVERDRIVE: South Australia showcases it’s influx of emerging start-up talent.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.

About BizSpark

The BizSpark program was launched in 2008. It’s a global program offered by Microsoft that helps software start-ups succeed by giving them access to Microsoft software development tools, connecting them with key industry players, including investors, and providing marketing visibility to help entrepreneurs start a business. Since its inception, the BizSpark startup program has grown to include over 100,000 members, in over 165 countries.

For more information, press only:
Tara Mills
03 8695 3511 / 0415 506 014

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