Innovators across the mining, energy and resources sectors are encouraged to nominate for CORE Innovation Hub’s Hot 30 Awards for 2022.
The program recognises business disrupting their sectors through innovation.
Along with the Hot 30 winners, a string of awards will be handed out in five categories for the first time. This includes the Innovators of the Year Award, Sustainability Innovation Award, the Emerging Industry Award, the Female Leadership Award and the Indigenous Innovation Award.
Renee Hakendorf, CORE National innovation Hub Manager, said the winners will showcase small and medium-sized businesses that have successfully scaled their ideas in order to sole real-world problems along with those creating new technology and overall improving operations within their industry.
“The Hot 30 and Innovation Awards panel will consider the problem the innovation is solving, growth and growth potential, product market fit, the scale of impact and its ability to be applied globally, and the combined experience in the business’ team,” Ms Hakendorf said.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase how well a team works together to solve industry problems and advance their operations, taking the resources, energy, and mining industries to another level.
Renee Hakendorf, CORE National Innovation Hub Manager
Judging criteria includes the problem the innovation is solving, growth potential, proof of concept, ability to raise capital along with the team’s experience.
“Many businesses out there are driving change in their sector, but rarely put their hand up to tell the world what they’re doing or how they’re having an impact both in Australia and overseas,” she added.
“Whether it’s in renewables, creating efficiencies in energy supply, harnessing space or satellite technology for the resources or mining and exploration sector, and channelling Industry 4.0, it’s time businesses came forward to tell their stories.”
Winners will also receive industry recognition, brand-building opportunities, mentoring and be offered connections to industry. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to participle in various events across the innovation ecosystem in 2022.
A game changer
Former winners have praised the awards program, with Carly Ascott of equipment supplier Western Air, an inaugural Hot 30 entrant, saying the program had been a game changer.
“CORE has identified and facilitated connections with the right partners for growth and expansion of our business. This included securing a new premises in the Tonsley Innovation District and linking us to vital connections in the mining and resources sector,” Ms Ascott said.
Training, leadership and upskilling invitations are regular, and the support following the awards from Renee and the team has been phenomenal. I would encourage any business in these critical sectors to apply and explore the partnership possibilities.
Carly Ascott, Western Air
CORE Innovation Hub is the first collaboration and innovation hub focused on the resources, mining and energy industries in Australia. After initially opening in Perth in 2016, a second hub opened in Adelaide last year with a new hub in Newman being launched next year, facilitated by a BHP partnership.
METS Ignited, Minerals Council of Australia, the South Australian Department for Energy and Mining, Spacecubed and Unearthed are Foundation Partners for both the Hub and the awards program.
Alongside meeting and workspaces, the hubs host regular networking events and professional development programs.
CORE Hub director Brodie McCulloch said industry participants had been able to establish collaborative partnerships with like minded business and industry leaders.
He hopes the application process would reveal more emerging players that are adding vibrancy to their sector while offering fresh ideas.
“It has been a challenging 18 months for many businesses but throughout that time we’ve been able to connect people both in-person and virtually, and provide a support network when people have needed it the most,” he said.
“We’re now looking for the next 30 hottest businesses to show how they’ve stepped up and made a positive contribution, rising to meet ongoing challenges and carving a niche within their sector.”
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Applications are open until 30 November, with winners to be announced in February.
More information is posted here, and you can apply directly from the CORE 30 website.
