Four Google resources every entrepreneur should know about

It is almost impossible these days to run a small business without an online presence of some sort. And it is almost impossible to have an effective online presence without at least a little knowledge of how to use the many tools Google puts at the disposal of businesses.

A business owner who learns to use these tools puts themselves at a huge advantage over those who don’t. You will have more potential customers visit your website; you will be able to market your business more effectively; and you will be able to monetise your online presence.

Google is constantly developing and evolving its offerings for SMEs, so it’s worth staying up to date with what the search giant has in its pipelines for small business. Video, local, and mobile are the three key trends business owners need to stay on top of when it comes to Google and small business marketing.

Here are four fantastic resources you can use to learn more about using Google to benefit your business.

1. GOOGLE FOR ENTREPRENEURS

This Google initiative is aimed squarely at startups and is designed to put aspiring entrepreneurs on the path to achieving their business dreams. It’s a vast resource of information that can connect entrepreneurs to startup spaces, incubators, co-working spaces, and more recently, Google campuses around the world.

The Google for Entrepreneurs website also houses easy access to a suite of business tools such as Google Analytics, AdWords, and Google Cloud Platform. It’s basically a one-stop shop with all that you need to learn about integrating your business into the Google ecosystem.

Learning about the online world can sometimes seem daunting to even the most seasoned of digital professionals (trust me!). It is constantly changing, everyone has an opinion (often wildly divergent), and there’s an overload of information out there, with much of it not of the highest standard.

That’s why it’s always worth going back to the source and learning from the people who know their stuff inside out—in this case, Google. The Digital Garage is a designed as an online learning hub that can facilitate individual learning for a wide range of topics, from SEO through to the basics of setting up an e-commerce store.

Another great thing about it is that it’s free. The people at Google are smart (as if we didn’t already know that …) and while the altruism of free courses is commendable, it’s also all about enmeshing and deepening engagement between small businesses and Google. People who know all that Google can do in terms of services and tools are more likely to make use of those tools and services, which is only a good thing for Google.

3. THINK WITH GOOGLE

This is a resource I use almost every day. Think with Google is targeted at marketing professionals but so much of it is totally relevant to anyone who is even remotely involved in running a business online.DiscoverGoogle AnalyticsCoworkingWeb search engine

It has brilliant and instructive articles and videos on topics such as consumer trends and behaviour, as well as marketing for tech trends like virtual reality and plenty more. It makes for great inspiration for your business strategies and ideas.

4. GOOGLE MY BUSINESS

You should certainly be aware of this Google site as it’s the starting point for making sure people can find you through the search engine. It’s a pretty straightforward portal with plenty of resources to help guide even online novices through the process of making sure their business shows up in basic search.

ONE MORE THING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

YouTube Director is an initiative, launched in the US and UK last year, that helps make it easier for small businesses to make their own YouTube videos. There are three main components to Director:

The YouTube Director for Business app, which helps you shoot, edit and upload an ad to YouTube with a minimum of fuss;
YouTube Director on-site, which gives businesses the services of a professional videographer when the business spends at least $150 to advertise on YouTube; and
The YouTube Director automated video, which creates a video ad automatically from existing assets like logos and app screenshots in the App Store or Google Play Store, and is available globally.

Considering video is such a potent way to reach customers, it’s worth keeping an eye on when YouTube (which is owned by Google) will roll out this complete suite of products to markets such as Australia. Hopefully, it will be soon.

Hexagon Mining snaps up Perth-based tech company MiPlan

Hexagon Mining has acquired Perth-based technology company MiPlan, a developer of mobile mine software applications for field data collection, fleet management, production management and reporting.

Hélio Samora, president of Arizona-based Hexagon, believes MiPlan’s solutions suite will be a formidable addition to the company’s technology portfolio.

“Safer, more productive mines depend on making sense of their data,” said Samora. “MiPlan’s range of apps represents a scalable, real-time mobile production management solution.”

Samora said MiPlan’s MiiNT platform would be particularly significant for Hexagon as it supports the data management, analysis and reporting needs of any sized operation.

The solution streamlines data flows between traditionally disparate systems and departments, simplifies on-demand data interrogation, trend analysis and reporting over live operational data.

Samora added that blast engineers would welcome the addition of MiPlan’s MiD&B application, which provides immediate enhancements to Hexagon Mining’s blast design solution.

“This will close the loop on design, field data capture, reconciliation and reporting,” said Samora.

The MiFleet solution will enhance Hexagon’s operational offerings and appeal to a wider variety of mining operations. It will deliver lightweight fleet management capability with near real-time infield feedback.

“Applied to our unparalleled suite of technologies for planning, operations, and safety, these solutions will empower our customers to act – not react – on real-time data at any stage of the mining value chain, no matter their location,” Samora said.

MiPlan managing director Robert Daw said the range, experience and calibre of the Hexagon group would contribute to the continued improvement of its existing offerings and provide a great platform for the next generation of solutions that mining businesses need to stay competitive.

“An acquisition by Hexagon held great appeal from the beginning due to our complementary solutions delivering immediate benefit to the market. It is also a big leap forward in our vision of aligned mines,” Daw said.

Top 10 products from Chinese Hi-Tech Fair

The 18th China Hi-Tech Fair, themed “Innovation-Driven, Quality-Oriented,” wrapped up on November 21 at Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center, highlighting VR/AR technologies and products. Over 3,000 exhibitors from 37 countries displayed more than 10,000 items to visitors and industry professionals.

During the exhibition, the Top 10 products were unveiled in respective exhibition halls. These products, recommended by each exhibition zone and reviewed by experts, are a combination of cutting-edge technologies, inspiring aesthetics, and smart, green, and human-oriented design philosophy, demonstrating marvelous usefulness and user experience.

The Top 10 Products are: IoT Charging Station (Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou), MEGA Drone (Harwar International Aviation), HIAR GLASSES V2 (HiScene), All-in-One VR G1/G1s (Qualcomm and CooCaa), PMS168 Motor (Dongming Electric Motor), Smart Lunch Box (Nami), Panox One Sports DV (D-Light Tech), the “am:10” Ecological Purifier (Techand Residential Environment), Smart Charging Pile (Wuhan University), and SINGULATO (Zhiche Auto). The G1/G1s, jointly developed by Qualcomm and CooCaa, is the world’s first all-in-one VR device equipped with Snapdragon 820/821. It is the epitome of the most advanced VR technologies in the world and brings users an amazing panoramic watching experience.

International pavilions and the “One Belt, One Road” special zone were also the highlights of CHTF2016. Enterprises from Germany, Czech Republic, Pakistan, Greece and Bahrain all brought their latest products and interacted extensively with visitors. In addition, China’s provincial delegations also brought many local technology companies to the event, contributing their efforts to make China a strong hi-tech nation. Meanwhile, relevant activities such as Smart City Conference, Internet+ Summit Forum, VR/AR Forum and 2016 China Innovation Conference were also held concurrently, gathering government officials, senior business management and industrial professionals to discuss hi-tech issues and share successful practices.

As China’s No.1 hi-tech fair, CHTF has always been paying close attention to the development and trends of China’s hi-tech industry. By gathering the achievements from a broad category of industries including energy saving, biology, energy, healthcare and electronics, CHTF intends to build a platform on which not only exhibitors and visitors can exchange and cooperate with each other freely, the distance between technology and people can also be shortened.

CHTF 2016 Top 10 Products

News sources：CHTF Organizing Committee　Release Date：2016-11-20

IoT Charging Station

Computer Network Information Center Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou (CNICG)

Booth: 5A05-1

Computer Network Information Center Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou (CNICG) is an R&D institution jointly invested by Computer Network Information Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Municipal Government and Nansha District Government. It undertakes national programs to develop, operate, manage and serve the IoT Identity Management System, and is also dedicated to demonstrating IoT applications and building IoT incubation centers for IoT information services, technological development and talent training.

Harwar Mega Drone

Harwar International Aviation Technology (Shenzhen) Co.,Ltd.,

Booth:2A02 2A04 2A06 2A08

Harwar International Aviation Technology (Shenzhen) Co.,Ltd., founded in 2014 and headquartered in Shenzhen’s Longhua New District, is a startup specializing in the development and manufacture of UAVs. For the Mega series drones, Harwar has obtained 89 patents and has made significant breakthroughs in multi-rotor and the industrial application. Harwar is committed to providing customers with value beyond imagination by positioning itself at the forefront of innovation and premium quality.

HiAR Glasses V2

HiScene (Shanghai) Information and Technologies Co., Ltd.

Booth: 1C27

Founded in 2012, HiScene is a technology company focusing on the R&D of AR technology. It has made significant breakthroughs in computer vision, HMI and AI, and has set multiple world records in many technological evaluation events. Relying on its own AR core technology, HiScene launched China’s first HiAR SDK and the first HiAR Glasses based on the vision interactive AR technology in 2015. In 2016, HiScene rolled out its integrated AR products and services combining HiAR infrastructure platform, AR Cloud, Content platform and smart terminal devices.

CooCaa All-in-One VR Machine: G1/G1s

Qualcomm Inc., Shenzhen CooCaa Internet Technologies Co., Ltd.

Booth: 1A52

CooCaa, a subsidiary of Skyworth Group, aims to be China’s leading provider of VR&AR hardware and integrated solutions. Its G1/G1s is the world’s first all-in-one VR device. Equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon 820/821, it also boasts many other innovative features including the 6DOF space orientation technology based on inside-out tracking, panoramic sound system and synchronized dual independent optical system. CooCaa also provides customized solutions to meet different demands of different enterprises, and its products can be applied to many areas such as education, real estate, healthcare, travel and advertisement.

PMS168 Motor

Shenzhen Dongming Motor Electric Co., Ltd.

Booth: 2A38

Founded in 1997, Shenzhen Dongming Motor Electric is wholly invested by Hong Kong Weiming (Asia) Ltd. With a history of 15 years, it has become a group company engaged in R&D, manufacture, sales and after-sale services. It is reputed as the “manufacturer of the world’s core electromechanical products”. Dongming is highly competitive in the market as it holds more than 260 patents and has sold 500 million units around the globe. It focuses on technological breakthroughs and innovation and always runs ahead with its cutting-edge technologies.

Smart Lunch Box

Shenzhen Nami Health Science and Technology Co., Ltd.

Booth: 2G52

The smart lunch box produced by Shenzhen Nami Health Science and Technology Co., Ltd. can not only achieve precise temperature control through multiple sensors, but also predict the internal temperature based on the thickness of the food in the box and tell when is the best time to eat. Besides, it can heat the food anytime, anywhere. With low voltage, high safety, low power consumption, unique far-infrared heat transfer mode, it will not destroy the molecular structure of the food and thus keep flavor and freshness to the largest extent. At the same time, with a personal health management APP terminal, it also provides nutrition, calorie and fat measurement functions. Making graphene as its core concept of healthy lifestyle, the company has achieved great breakthroughs by integrating resources, technologies, talents and exploring relevant IoT and new material industries. It has successfully transformed itself from the traditional industry to prevail in the new era.

Panox One Sports DV

Shenzhen D-Light Technology. Co., Ltd.

Booth: 1A72

Shenzhen D-Light Technology. Co., Ltd. is a vertically integrated high-tech enterprise with R&D, Production, Sales and services, with a focus on projection and optical technologies. The company has an R&D team comprised of more than 100 people and has obtained more than 100 patents. With more than 10 years’ research and exploration experience in areas such as optics, communication, automation and the Internet, the core R&D personnel has gained unique technical advantages.

am: 10 Ecological purifier

Shenzhen Techand Residential Environment Technology Co., Ltd.

Booth: 2D65

As a subsidiary of the listed parent company Techand Ecosystem Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Techand Residential Environment Technology Co., Ltd. focuses on the enhancement and management of residential micro-environment by integrating its purification technology with the interior mini-ecosystem solutions. With its core brand am: 10, the company has developed a range of products including 8800, 8700 and 8600. In 2016, it is list among the “first batch of purifier brands that meet the new national standard”.

Smart Charging Pile

Wuhan University

Booth: 8A06

The Multi-functional intelligent charging pile has integrated the DMS active protective multi-information fusion flexible smart charging system and LLC ripple control technology developed by Wuhan University, with communications protocols and charging interfaces that are up to the latest national standards and grid standards. Leveraging the electric vehicle charging big data, it can realize customization, data back-end R&D and multi-platform applications of the charging piles and charging stations. The product is a solution to problems of DC charging piles like the sole charging circuit mode, large charging ripples, outdated software strategy, poor user experience, non-unified interface standards, and lack of smart data elements.

SINGULATO

ZHICHEAUTO Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

Booth: 6B17

ZHICHEAUTO Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. is an Internet-based innovative startup founded in December 2014. The company’s business involves new energy vehicles and smart vehicle systems, and the company is also engaged in developing cloud-based IoV services & solutions and investing in innovative technology products. The SINGULATO is a joint product by cross-industry innovation that can realize upgrade and customized extension of automobiles through software upgrade. Unlike traditional automobiles that only focus on passive safety, it pays more attention to active safety, minimizing accidents through the smart driving system.

Plant simulation software for minerals processing

Haver & Boecker have released plant simulation and optimisation software NIAflow for mineral processing and quarry operations.

NIAflow supports users in every engineering phase, from drafting flow diagrams for product pre-calculation, to plant start-up and simulating parameter changes. It assists operators discover the most efficient configuration for existing equipment, determine the equipment needed to increase production, and perform predictive maintenance.

By using the system to simulate the impact of different feed material scenarios on machine capacities, process parameters and product quality measures, issues can be identified before they happen – eliminating future problems.

NIAflow allows users to analyse more than 90 different process equipment pieces, from crushers and vibrating screens to material washers and conveyers. Beyond equipment, the system monitors the operation’s input, output, and waste piles. The program calculates the mass and volumetric flow rates as well as the valuable content with machine-specific operating parameters to prevent plant bottlenecks before equipment is in place.

The system’s intuitive menu control makes it easy for all levels of experience, with Haver and Boecker able to provide training if necessary.

The software is available for download on Windows-based systems. The NIAflow Aggregates version is the extensive, full version of the NIAflow simulation software that allows unlimited machine input. NIAflow Mining complements the Aggregates full version, and offers additional equipment options, such as classifying and sorting equipment.

Protected: Shopping online

Online cloud platform for operational management

Schneider Electric Australia has announced updates to its Wonderware Online cloud platform for operational data management.

Wonderware Online, built on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform, provides users with a solution that combines operational and information technology with security.

The platform is used to consolidate distributed data sources, contextualise that data through advanced applications, and provide enterprise wide access from anywhere on any device.

It includes the Wonderware Online Insight Connector, a productivity tool that allows users to link time-series data stored in the platform to Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Excel online to run custom formulas, perform ad hoc analysis, and create Excel-based reports and charts.

The system provides greater flexibility to access operational data, improved cybersecurity and enhanced navigation capabilities. It also provides accelerated feature updates and augmented intelligent newsfeed analytics – with pattern detection technology that highlights unusual data behaviours and alerts users of potential issues.

State government grants to help your small business: 2016

State government grants to help your small business: 2016 – SmartCompany

Do you run a South Australian business that exports overseas? You could be eligible for a grant of up to $50,000.

Perhaps you are leading a Victorian business that is trialling a new technology project? There’s a grant for that too.

In August we brought you our list of the best federal government grants for your business and today we’ve rounded up some of the state and territory grants available to SMEs.

This is not a complete list of all the grants available in each state and territory but when it comes to business grants, knowing where to start looking can be half the battle.

With the states and territories increasingly focused on encouraging innovative enterprises, now is the time to find out if your business is eligible for a grant.

New South Wales

Minimum Viable Product program

How much? Up to $25,000

How does it work?

Now part of the NSW Government’s ‘Jobs for NSW’ program, the Minimum Viable Product program is aimed at technology startups that are in the process of testing their business model.

Businesses from all sectors are able to apply for the grants, however the business must be technology-driven. Grants of up to $25,000 are available to use towards up to 50% of the cost of an approved project.

To be eligible, the business must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in NSW, own the relevant intellectual property or rights to commercialise the technology and have a relationship with either a potential customer or potential distributor.

Applications are currently open and more information is available here.

Building Partnerships Grants

How much? Up to $100,000

How it work?

The Building Partnerships Grants are also part of the ‘Jobs for NSW’ program, which replaced the Regional Industries Investment Fund, and are aimed at technology-based businesses.

Businesses can receive up to 35% of the costs of an approved project, capped at $100,000, to help them complete a pilot project with key customers or to fund new marketing partnerships either in Australia or overseas.

To be eligible, the business must have an ABN registered in NSW, own the relevant intellectual property or rights to commercialise the technology and have a relationship with either a potential customer or potential distributor.

Applications are currently open. More information is available here.

Tech Vouchers

How much? A matched voucher worth up to $15,000

How does it work?

The Tech Vouchers program is designed to encourage SMEs to work with universities and research organisations with technical expertise in particular areas.

Priority is given to companies that have not previously worked with universities or research organisations and the money can go towards funding a joint research project, gaining access to research facilities and equipment or technical expertise or trialing a production run.

To be eligible for the vouchers, companies must have fewer than 200 employees and turn over less than $30 million each year. The company must be incorporated in NSW and have been operating for at least one year.

Applications are currently open and more information is available here.

Bin Trim Rebates Program

How much? Between $1000 and $50,000

How does it work?

The Bin Trim Rebates Program is part of the NSW Environment Protection Agency’s ‘Waste Less, Recycle More’ initiative to encourage recycling in workplaces.

SMEs with up to 200 employees can apply for rebates of between $1000 and $50,000 to cover up to 50% of the cost of purchasing small-scale, onsite recycling equipment. The rebates are also available to businesses that manage business waste, including facility managers and recyclers.

Applications are currently open and more information is available from the NSW EPA website here.

Accelerating Growth Loans and Gazelle Loan Guarantees

How much? Not available

How does it work?

These two forthcoming schemes are aimed at ‘gazelles’: fast-growing SMEs that are recording strong revenue growth year-on-year.

The Accelerating Growth Loans scheme will provide direct finance to SMEs, while the Gazelle Loan Guarantees are intended to help SMEs obtain loan approvals to continue to grow.

Applications are expected to open soon and businesses can ask for more information via the Jobs for NSW website here.

Victoria

LaunchVic

How much? Unspecified

How does it work?

The Victorian Government has set aside $60 million over four years for LaunchVic, an independent body with the aim of strengthening Victoria’s entrepreneurial and startup sectors.

The first round of LaunchVic funding grants was announced in August, with 18 projects across the state sharing in a total of $6.5 million in funding. Individual grants ranged from $30,000 to $1.25 million.

Applications for the second round of funding will open in September and LaunchVic is looking for proposals that add value to Victoria’s acceleration, incubation and co-working capabilities; are “ambitious, creative and have a global orientation”; can strengthen the diversity and collaboration among the state’s entrepreneurs and startups; and which are financially viable.

More information is available here.

Grow Your Business program

How much? Between $4000 and $15,000

How does it work?

The Victorian Government’s Grow Your Business program provides a number of types of grants to Victorian SMEs, with the overarching aim of helping small and medium businesses become internationally competitive by contributing to the costs of mentoring and networking programs.

The Business Development Plan and Business Development Plan – Mentoring streams of the program provide grants for up to 50% of a project’s cost, capped at $7,500.

The Business Strategic Review stream provides up to 75% of a project’s cost, capped at $4000, and the Group and Network Programs stream provides a grant of up to 75% of a project’s costs, capped at $15,000.

Applications are currently open for the streams and information about the eligibility requirements for each is available here.

Victorian Government Technology Innovation Fund

How much? Between $50,000 and $350,000

How does it work?

The Victorian Government’s Innovation Fund is open to businesses working with the Victorian public sector and are designed to support the development and trialing of new technology that will help make government more efficient.

To be considered for a grant, businesses need to pitch a technology-based program that addresses a public sector need and has the support of the relevant government department or agency.

Projects funded usually run for between 6-24 months and the grants are typically between $50,000 and $400,000.

Applications are currently open and more information is available here.

Automotive Supply Chain Transition Program

How much? Up to $71,000

How does it work?

Designed to help support Victorian companies in the automotive supply chain, this program provides financial support for both companies undergoing transitions and companies that can assist those firms.

For companies undergoing a transition, the following grants are available:

Up to $5000 of support to review an existing business transition plan
Up to $16,000 of support to develop a business transition plan
Up to $10,000 of support for merger advisory services
Up to $55,000 in support for business transition services.

The same grants are available for specialist firms that can help these businesses through the transition. The Victorian Government plans to create a panel of these specialist businesses, which will be listed on the Business Victoria website.

Applications are currently open and more information is available here.

Local Industry Fund for Transition program

How much? A matched funding grant of up to $2 million

How does it work?

The Local Industry Fund for Transition is a program to support regions affected by the closure of large scale manufacturing in Victoria, including the north, west and south-east parts of Melbourne, and Geelong.

Businesses of all sizes can apply for grants of up to $2 million to cover up to 25% of eligible project expenditure to help fund projects that will create jobs in the specified regions.

To be eligible, businesses must have both an Australian Business Number and an Australian Company Number; the financial capacity to contribute $3 for every $1 of grant funding; and the ability to provide financial reports from the past three financial years to the government.

Applications are currently open and more information is available here.

Queensland

Ignite Ideas Fund

How much? Up to $250,000

How does it work?

The Ignite Ideas Fund is part of the Queensland Government’s Advance Queensland initiative to support businesses across the state.

Under this program, businesses can receive Tier 1 grants of up to $100,000 or Tier 2 Grants of up to $250,000 to go towards proving their business idea will work or identifying a market or investor for the product.

To be eligible, businesses must: have fewer than 200 employees; be incorporated in Queensland; be registered for GST; demonstrate the idea can achieve high growth and create jobs; have a minimum viable product; and show support for the project from customers, industry partners or investors.

Applications for the second round of funding under the program open on September 12. More information is available here.

Business Development Fund

How much? Between $125,000 and $2.5 million

How does it work?

Also part of the Advance Queensland initiative, the Business Development Fund is aimed at businesses that are in the process of commercialising research or an innovative product or service.

Businesses in need of seed, early stage or follow-on investment can receive between $125,000 and $2.5 million from the program if they can demonstrate the business will create new, skilled employment and is commercially viable.

Applications are currently open and more information is available here.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

How much? Up to $50,000 per project

How does it work?

Businesses that wish to hire a graduate to work on an innovative project can receive up to $50,000 per project under this government scheme.

The funding is intended to cover two-thirds of the project’s costs, with the business required to cover the remaining one-third.

To be eligible, businesses must have fewer than 200 full-time employees; have been operating for at least two years; have an ABN and be registered for GST; and be prepared to manage the project in collaboration with a university.

Applications for the fifth round of funding will close on October 7. More information is available here.

Australian Capital Territory

Innovation Connect

How much? Between $5000 to $30,000 in matched funding, depending on the project.

How does it work?

This grant program is designed to help Canberra businesses develop new and innovative products and services.

There is a particular focus on projects that will encourage investment or have the potential for commercialisation, and grants are offered in two categories.

In the Proof of Technology category, businesses can receive between $5000 and $30,000 in matched funding to prove their concept. In the Accelerating Innovation category, businesses can receive between $5000 and $10,000 to assist with the commercialisation of their project.

Applications for the Accelerating Innovation grants are open year-round, while the Proof of Technology grants are offered through separate funding round throughout the year. More information is available here.

Trade Connect program

How much? Up to $15,000 per financial year.

How does it work?

This grant is aimed at helping businesses in the ACT prepare for exporting opportunities through trade show participation, market research, mentoring and the development of advertising material.

In order to be eligible, businesses must have an annual turnover of less than $10 million; have developed products that are ready to be exported; and operate a main business location in the ACT.

Applications are currently open and more information can be found here.

Business Improvement Grant

How much? Up to $5000.

How does it work?

This grant is part of a pilot program by the ACT government to encourage SME growth and is designed to help businesses implement recommendations from an experienced business advisor.

In order to be eligible, businesses must have been trading for at least two years and have annual turnover between $500,000 and $1.5 million. All funds provided need to be matched dollar-for-dollar by the business.

Applications are currently open and more information can be found here.

South Australia

Start-up Business Grants

How much? Up to $20,000

How does it work?

The South Australian Government has created a Small Business Development Fund as part of its Northern Economic Plan to encourage business activity in the Playford, Port Adelaide Enfield and Salisbury council areas.

Entrepreneurs and new businesses can apply for grants of up to $20,000 under the Start-up Business Grants program.

Applications are currently open and are assessed every six to eight weeks. More information is available here.

Business Expansion Grants

How much? Between $10,000 and $100,000

How does it work?

This program also forms part of the Small Business Development Fund.

Established businesses in northern Adelaide can apply for grants worth between $10,000 and $100,000 to support activities that will grow their businesses. The Government has allocated $6 million for these grants.

Applications are currently open and more information is available here.

Export Partnership program

How much? Up to $50,000.

How does it work?

This program is about helping small and medium businesses tackle international markets.

The state government will match a successful applicant’s investment towards researching overseas markets and participating in trade missions. Businesses can also use the funds to adapt their website to for international markets or participate in export-related training.

Applications are currently open and more information can be found here.

Innovation Voucher program

How much? Up to $50,000.

How does it work?

This grant is designed to encourage collaboration between SMEs and research and development organisations.

The fund is part of the South Australian government’s plan to encourage greater innovation in the manufacturing sector and fuel job creation in other industries. The money goes towards technical research and prototype testing.

To be eligible, businesses must have annual turnover of less than $200 million. The recipient must also be willing to make a financial contribution to the project, which is determined by annual turnover.

Applications are ongoing and more information can be found here.

Tasmania

New Market Expansion Program

How much? Unspecified

How does it work?

Tasmanian SMEs can apply for financial assistance to help pay for marketing activities related to developing new national and international markets under this program.

The funds can be used to commission market research and business matching services; undertake promotional activities, including advertising; develop promotional materials; travel for marketing purposes, including to attend trade exhibitions; and for inbound buyers’ visits to Tasmania.

To be eligible, businesses must have annual turnover between $300,000 and $20 million. Industry associations and groups of companies that are working on new market or export marketing initiatives may also apply.

Applications will be open until April 30, 2017. More information is available here.

Advanced Manufacturing Marketing Expansion Program

How much? Up to $10,000

How does it work?

Similar to the New Market Expansion Program, this grants scheme is designed to help advanced manufacturing enterprises in Tasmania conduct market development activities to create new national and international markets.

The same criteria applies, with including the requirement that the company is turning over between $300,000 and $20 million.

More information about the grants is available here.

Northern Territory

Smarter Business Solutions

How much? Up to $20,000

How does it work?

Businesses based on the Northern Territory that have been trading for at least 12 months can apply for grants to help reduce their day-to-day energy, water and material costs.

Along with free advice and on-site consultations at their business premises, business owners can apply for a grant of up to $20,000 to install energy efficient saving initiatives; a grant of up to $10,000 to install a renewable energy system; or a grant of up to $300 to buy and install energy monitoring equipment.

To be eligible, businesses must be physically located in the NT, have fewer than 200 employees and have annual turnover between $75,000 and $20 million.

Businesses must also be willing to participate in a follow-up evaluation and must not have already received an equivalent grant under a previous government program.

Applications are now open and more information is available here.

Indigenous Business Development Program (IBDP)

How much? Up to $30,000

How does it work?

Indigenous people who are starting or expanding their business can apply for grants under the Indigenous Business Development Program.

To be eligible, applicants must live in the NT and their business must be more than 50% Indigenous owned and based and registered in the NT.

Applicants must also be able to show commitment from land councils, where appropriate, and will need to be able to either make financial contributions or show they are able to do so.

Applications are currently open and more information is available here.

Trade Support Scheme

How much? Up to $10,000

How does it work?

The Trade Support Scheme is designed to help NT businesses cover the costs associated with international marketing activities.

Businesses can apply for grants for a range of activities, and different funding caps apply to each activity. The activities included in the scheme are: airfares, marketing and promotion, website design, freight, trade exhibitions and conferences, accommodation, on-the-ground expenses, training, and participation in the Australian Tourism Exchange.

The funding is offered as a taxable cash reimbursement.

Applications are open year-round and more information is available here.

Western Australia

Regional Events Scheme

How much? Up to $50,000

How does it work?

Organisations that hold business conferences, exhibitions and trade shows, as well as festivals and entertainment events, may be eligible for funding under the Western Australian Government’s Regional Events Scheme.

The scheme is administered by Tourism WA and it aims to raise the profile of the state as a tourist destination.

Applications for funding for events that fall between July 2017 and June 2018 will open in October. More information is available here.

Commercial Development Grants Program

How much? Up to $25,000

How does it work?

The Commercial Development Grants Program is available for WA-based creative businesses to help them increase revenue, build audiences and client bases, access new markets or increase market share and build their profiles.

Businesses can apply under two categories – projects up to $15,000 and projects of more than $15,000 – and the maximum grant available is $25,000. The grant can be used to cover up to 80% of the expenditure for a project.

Applications for projects under $15,000 are open year-round, while applications for projects of more than $15,000 close on October 6.

More information is available here.

Five disruptive trends in tech for 2017

The tech revolution continues to barrel forward lately, and 2017 will see some of the most innovative and evolutionary disruptions we have seen thus far.

There will be more connection, more automation, and more significant impact in business and investment than ever before, and the revolution has just begun.

The innovations coming to fruit in 2017 are poised to redefine business and connection as we know it. From banking to devices, 2017 holds many a change in store -the technology of this next phase is dynamic, gigantic, and will feel like a futuristic sci-fi fantasy novel.

Finance will be automated

Many financial experts are predicting that automated banks are the next big disruptor for the banking sector. According to a recent study, automated banking could replace 30 per cent of bank jobs over the next decade. Financial advisors and analysts are due to be quickly replaced by robo-advisors that render them moot -with big data in the wings, robo-advisors have the data needed to make split-second, uber-informed decisions. The payments and mobile banking industries are riding high, as well: fintech startups raised over $22.3 billion in funding in 2015, up 75 per cent from 2014. This trend will speed up in 2017.

Big data will get even bigger

Big data will be a necessary asset for companies in all sectors, From trucking to data entry, big data algorithms will change the landscape in a big way, metaphorically and literally — geographical information systems will get a major upgrade in speed and efficiency. For example, MIT and Ford Motors recently partnered to read the cellphone location data of Bostonians, producing instantaneous traffic and transportation patterns that typically take years to build. Innovation will continue with developments in big data storage, providing much needed revolutionary agility in IT. Steve Wozniak has joined big data storage company Primary Data as their Chief Scientist, so we can be sure to see some huge changes there.

The Internet of Everything truly begins

The Internet of Everything in both the consumer and B2B market will continue to rise, especially in North America, connecting data, things, processes and people. Intelligent systems will grow rapidly in 2017, especially after the release of the Home app from Apple this fall. Over 100 products are already on the market that will work seamlessly with apples HomeKit, so a smart-linked home will be an affordable possibility for anyone. Security, lights, electronics, and climate can all be controlled for the first time in one app. Wearable devices will continue to climb and mesh with healthcare and big data.

Mobility will continue to dominate.

Customers are almost completely mobile — as of now, four out of five people use their phones to shop. The global workforce is becoming increasingly mobile, working from home, and tech software and communications will begin to reflect that predominantly. From mobile storage for work-from-home employees to advanced security, mobility has only begun to gain traction. Verizon is one company to watch, as they are in the process of acquiring Irish fleet and mobile workforce management company Fleetmatics, positioning the mobile company to be the largest mobile workforce management company in the world.

Space exploration will become increasingly affordable.

Expect in 2017 to see huge changes in the space exploration sector. Costs will go down drastically, with what would previously cost billions of dollars costing only millions. The U.S. Federal Aviation Authority recently approved private company Moon Express to launch an unmanned exploratory moon mission in 2017, and the company plans to forge ahead with commercial missions to the moon to exploit its mineral resources.

We will also see huge strides in satellite use – Planet Labs Inc. has launched a fleet of tiny shoebox-sized satellites that can transfer daily high-res earth images, providing affordable and useful information to companies interested in economically sensitive areas like farmland, oil storage tanks and parking lot usage.

What construction jobs will look like when robots can build things

By 2034/35, almost 20% of Australians (6.2 million) are projected to be aged 65 or over. One sector already feeling the impact of the ageing population is construction. In Queensland, the number of construction workers aged 55 and over increased from 8 per cent of full-time workers in 1992 to 14.2 per cent in 2014.

An ageing workforce is likely to increase the need for less physically demanding jobs or maybe technology might address this issue. Task automation and the industry’s innovation culture are two of the greatest areas of uncertainty for the construction industry.

A new study that developed evidence based scenarios for 2036, depicts how automation and manufacturing could grow in the construction sector, creating more knowledge intensive jobs as a result.

The study explores future technology that eliminates dangerous and difficult tasks, particularly in light of the ageing workforce.

Experts in the industry were asked the extent to which technology would progress and how many or which tasks could be automated. There was no consensus on this and the other point of contention between the interviewees was how bold the industry would be in its pursuit of new solutions.

The research did suggest the construction workforce will need a broad understanding of digital applications, in addition to traditional project management and communication skills.

Figure 1: Construction industry scenarios from the Farsight Report

Construction jobs of the future

The trends analysis and scenario development in the report produced some examples of possible construction industry jobs in the year 2036, including:

Building assembly technician

Someone who oversees robotic systems and examines data feeds throughout the life of a project. This worker would optimise workflows and make adjustments on real time feedback from clients about design or changes to materials.

Virtual/augmented reality trainers

Breakthroughs in virtual and augmented reality technology could provide low-cost immersive environments where apprentices and trainers can meet virtually in any training situation, such as worksite, factory, design studio – the possibilities are endless.

Building drone operators

These professionals would control and program drones to carry out complex tasks such as site inspections, deliveries and maintenance.

Robot resource manager

Robots in the workplace will need someone to take care of commissioning, software programming, maintenance and re-purposing or recycling of robotic parts. Keeping track of this exploding field of technology will be a key challenge for the role.

Other opportunities

The Australian construction industry is changing with the introduction of digital collaboration platforms, like Building Information Modelling (BIM), robot machine prototypes such as the Fastbrick robot and rapid progress in 3D printing capabilities. These innovations will need more people skilled in the use of software programs and less people for labour-intensive jobs such as bricklaying or paving.

BIM is software that creates a 3D visualisation of a building. However, it extends beyond 3D imaging to show scheduling, cost control, facility management and energy performance monitoring. The UK government has mandated that all centrally funded work is to be undertaken using BIM by April 2016 and the Queensland government has stated that it will progressively implement the use of BIM into all major state infrastructure projects by 2023. As workers’ skills in BIM increase in Australia, the improved cost and time saving will drive customers to demand that projects are managed in this way.

Already, in the Netherlands, the company MX3D is using 6-axis industrial robots to print a fully functional steel bridge. Contour Crafting technology, a process invented at the University of Southern California, has great potential for automating the construction of whole structures as well as sub-components and a company in China is using 3D printing to build houses.

The manufacturing part of the construction industry is expected to grow at 5% per annum out to 2023, compared to a growth rate of 2.3% for the industry as a whole. While the current prefabricated building market in Australia is still comparatively small, with only A$4.5 billion of the total A$150 billion construction industry, it is expected to contribute to more affordable housing stock and to take a much greater share of creating multi-storey buildings.

The nature of construction work is set for a step change over the next 20 years and careful strategic thinking is needed to navigate the changes.

The changes will require humans to exercise judgement and decision-making that reflects human values and aspirations; a task that is well beyond the most advanced artificial intelligence systems.

George Quezada, Research Scientist, Data61

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

UQ develop new bauxite processing method

The University of Queensland has worked with Rio Tinto to create a new way to process bauxite ores.

According to the university, not only does the method add value to the ore, it also reduces the mine’s environmental footprint.

UQ’s Dr. Hong Peng, from the university’s School of Chemical Engineering, said the process utilises bauxite ore waste.

“Queensland is ideally placed to benefit from this technological improvement as bauxite is abundant in north Queensland and there are already processing facilities and experts established here,” Peng said.

“Now instead of wasting the bauxite ore by-products, we can recover most of the minerals, which also reduces the environmental impact of the mining activity.”

The new method will also make some previously uneconomical mines viable.

Bauxite contains between 30 and 54 per cent alumina, which is refined from bauxite ore using the Bayer process, which separates alumina from the mixture of various iron oxides, titanium dioxide and aluminosilicate, which is known as the desilication product (DSP).

Using the conventional Bayer process, the DSP crystallises to a fine powder intermingled through the residue, making separation of the components impossible.

“The red mud has to be chemically neutralised and maintained in long-term storage,” Peng said.

Peng’s method looks to control this crystallisation, instead yielding a coarser material, which can be separated and removed.

“The current process wastes a lot of these other minerals and creates bauxite residue,” he said.

“The new method we’re developing has environmental benefits and financial benefits, as the by-products can be sold.”

The research was supported by the Advance Queensland Research Fellowship, which is focused on aiding the mining industry in overcoming challenges.

Peng was one recipient, along with Dr. Pradeep Shukla – who is aiming to upscale new technology to produce cyanide on-site for gold and base metal mines – and Dr. Sergio-Andres Galindo-Torres, who aims to introduce new modelling and visualisation technologies