The Canberra Innovation Network has announced that it has partnered with the Embassy of the United States of America to stage an innovation day on August 27 in Canberra focusing on the practical application, commercialisation and scale up of sports technology from Canberra to the world.

The event provides an opportunity for attendees and speakers to share stories and examples on how technology helps advance elite sport and encourage learning between leading Australian and US organisations active in sports technology research, development and commercialisation.  At the same time, the forum will create value for sports businesses on both sides of the Pacific through collaboration and the building of new connections as well as knowledge and experience exchange.

U.S and Australian elite sports experts, including Australian gold medallist Lauren Burns and Dr. David T Martin, the former Director of Performance Research & Development for the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, will keynote the conference.  In addition, researchers, government officials and private sector representatives will provide their perspectives on sports technology applications and advice on expansion into the US market.

The event will aim to answer questions such as:

• What are some of the latest applied innovations that stimulate improved sports performance?
• What can Australia learn from the US (and vice a versa) in stimulating more innovative activity around sports technologies that generate practical results?
• What are the experiences of and lessons learned by sports tech innovators, entrepreneurs and users in the broader Canberra region particularly related to expanding into the US market?
• What research and technology advancements are most likely to deliver practical, applicable innovations that will help athletes and coaches improve performance, safety or both?
• How can Australian and US organisations collaborate to help solve some of the big challenges facing elite sports today?

The one day event also features roundtables, collaborative exercises and a networking event with pitches from local sportstech innovators and entrepreneurs.  Attending athletes, students, physiotherapists, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs and private industry representatives will work together to improve collaboration and enable new innovations across the sports technology value chain.

Petr Adamek, CEO of The Canberra Innovation Network, said: “We are thrilled to have partnered with the US Embassy again, this time to explore how Australian and US organisations can learn from each other and collaborate to advance performance, safety and experiences in elite sports through innovative use of technology.  We already have sports tech companies in Canberra that have their solutions being used by athletes around the world, including in the United States. This event will further strengthen Canberra’s position as the place where sports technology businesses and innovators, athletes, elite teams, sporting institutions, leading researchers and research institutions work together to create and launch new and exciting sports innovations.”

The Canberra Innovation Network is a not for profit organisation that connects, promotes and accelerates the growth of the region’s ecosystem for entrepreneurs and innovators. It is supported by the ACT Government, six foundation members, including: the Australian National University, Canberra Institute of Technology, CSIRO, Data61, University of Canberra and UNSW Canberra and a group of dedicated corporate partners. Canberra Innovation Network coordinates, supports and delivers a range of programs and events for startups, entrepreneurs, researchers, innovators, creatives, youth and SMEs.

The Sports Tech Collaborative Innovation Day will take place at the Ann Harding Conference Centre at the University of Canberra on August 27 from 9 am to 6 pm.

To register for the event follow the link: https://sportstechinnovation.eventbrite.com.au