Australia’s New Megatrends –

    an Update from CSIRO

Further to our recent keynote address to the Queensland Leaders network, there was a lot of questions around how business can engage and access the most recent research and trends, along with directly collaborate with CSIRO around innovation and new projects.

Most in the Queensland Leaders community would be familiar with the CSIRO’s original MegaTrends research, undertaken to explore the major trends that will impact on Australian business over the coming decade. A new update to this research has been released, entitled “Australian National Outlook” and can be found here

Other collaboration and funding opportunities that business can partner with CSIRO on include:

• Matching grant money for collaborations: CSIRO administers several grant programs to provide funding for innovation projects that could help you launch a new business, product or service. All programs have 1:1 matching funds. Head on over to our SME Connect website or better yet explore your idea with Scott McNeil, our SME Connect representative and Queensland Leaders regular attendee (Scott.Mcneil@csiro.au or +61 7 3327 4427).
• Get a slice of the $25b pie: On September 4^th CSIRO Futures launched a new report that predicts plant-based protein, foods for health and wellbeing, premium products and other emerging food trends could be worth $25 billion for Australia by 2030.
• Find your way with the latest industry roadmaps: Remember, most of CSIROs reports are free to the public – so be sure to check out CSIRO Futures website (our strategic advisory arm) for insights into where to find the next big opportunity, with reports on hydrogen economy, space, advanced manufacturing, and med tech and pharma, and many more available free of charge and updated regularly;
• Learn about cutting edge digital innovation: We regularly host workshops and forums designed to delve deeper into the emerging trends and industry opportunities across a range of different sectors. One upcoming example is D61+ LIVE a free two-day forum and exhibition that examines cutting-edge data science and technology, shaping our industries, experiences and society (held in Carriage Works, Sydney, Oct 2-3).