$200,000 boost to Joondalup WA AustCyber Innovation Hub
11/06/2020 EMBARGOED UNTIL 7AM
• McGowan Government announces additional $200,000 investment in Joondalup’s WA AustCyber Innovation Hub under $16.7m New Industries Fund (NIF)
• Investment in addition to boosted support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Joondalup and across WA through challenging period
Emily Hamilton MLA has welcomed an announcement by the McGowan Government of a significant funding boost to the WA AustCyber Innovation Hub in Joondalup.
The WA AustCyber Innovation Hub will receive an additional $200,000 under the $16.7m New Industries Fund, to help build their capacity to advise start-ups and SMEs on cyber security.
The WA AustCyber Innovation Hub has been established under the New Industries Fund to grow and diversify the economy and create jobs. The hub brings people together to access expertise and facilities and make better use of talent and technology.
The funding is in addition to a broader package of supports for start-ups and SMEs across WA which have been impacted by COVID-19 and face problems with cash flow, potential data breaches, supply chain integrity and changed business models. Additional supports include:
(i) Innovation Vouchers Program: An additional $300,000 to support 16 more Innovation Vouchers, worth up to $20,000 each, to start-ups and SMEs
(ii) WA Data Science Innovation Hub: $200,000 funding to help build the hubs’ capacity
(iii) X-TEND WA Program: $100,000 funding for education and mentoring programs, which will be delivered by existing X-TEND WA program recipients
Comments attributed to Emily Hamilton MLA:
“The WA AustCyber Innovation Hub here in Joondalup is a cutting edge local facility doing some great work to diversify the WA economy and create innovation jobs.
“This funding will help the WA AustCyber Innovation Hub to support WA businesses to improve their cyber security.
“The New Industries Fund can help Joondalup innovators to get the support they need to scale up their businesses, preserve existing jobs and create new ones.
“With demand for more and more online sales due to COVID-19 restrictions, a lot of local businesses need to boost their cyber security – this funding can help more businesses to do just that.”
Comments attributed to Innovation Minister Dave Kelly:
“Our innovation community have told us they most need business advice and mentoring to help guide them through the COVID-19 recovery period. The extra funding for business education programs and hubs will be a big help to retain jobs, especially with its focus on cyber security and diversity and inclusion.
“Extra funding for the data science and cyber innovation hubs will build their capacity to support organisations and businesses who need guidance on best-practice to safely deliver online products and services – an area seeing huge increases in demand during the pandemic.
“Helping innovative start-ups and SMEs during the State’s economic recovery period is critical to both preserving existing jobs, while ensuring these organisations are well-positioned to create new viable businesses and as a result; additional jobs.”
Media Contact: Emily Hamilton 9300 3990