New map of the Australian Innovation Ecosystem released

Innovation and entrepreneurship researcher Chad Renando has released an updated map of the Australian Innovation Ecosystem which shows the location and role of over 3,450 active in the sector in 3,744 locations around the country.

Renando, the Managing Director of Global Entrepreneurship Network Australia, has updated the interface which allows people to zoom into the detail of those involved in innovation and entrepreneurship.

He said: “The map includes organisations supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in Australia and is provided from ongoing research and support work by the not-for-profits Startup Status and the Global Entrepreneurship Network Australia.

“The map contributes to a portfolio of government and market solutions that help us understand the state of Australian innovation and entrepreneur support.”

Other mapping and innovation data projects are available at the state and territory level.

“I take a broad view including research institutions, local business support such as Chambers of Commerce and Regional Development Australia, local networking and meetup groups, and schools with entrepreneur programs.”

Renando, a researcher at USQ and a fellow at QUT, began developing his map in 2016, in his role with the Queensland Chief Entrepreneur in 2018 and as he completed his PhD research on the contribution of the innovation ecosystem to community resilience.

Over the years the map was refined for reports focusing on areas such as creative industries, climate, university incubators, youth programs in schools, localised focus areas such as food innovation and social enterprise, national AgTech and HealthTech ecosystems, and support systems for female and first nations entrepreneurs.

“The Australian innovation ecosystem has changed significantly since I started the project and the subsequent business.

“A 2020 G20 roundtable presentation highlighted the ecosystem’s rapid growth and diversification.

“A more recent post for the upcoming Global Entrepreneurship Congress outlined the ecosystem’s increasing specialisation by technology and sector and expansion across geography and people groups.”

Renando shared his latest version as a resource for those who support innovation and entrepreneurship in Australia.

“We continue to develop the dataset, aligned with other initiatives and expanding in sector and technology specialisation.”

Study the Map of the Australian Innovation Ecosystem here.

Image: Chad Renando