Company History
The Industry Development Centre (Hunter) Ltd (IDC) is a not-for-profit business services organisation established in 1992 to assist industry development in the Hunter Region and thereby create employment opportunities. Originally funded through a Federal Government initiative the IDC is now funded through fee-for-service activities and to 30 June 2009, a well-established conference centre, and tenancy and business services. Over the years IDC has also proudly delivered various government-sponsored initiatives to assist innovative individuals and SMEs.
The IDC Vision is:
‘Creating business opportunities by connecting Hunter businesses to each other and to the world.’
The delivery of this vision has evolved over the life of the IDC to meet the changing needs of business and has now extended beyond the Hunter to service the needs of innovative individuals and businesses throughout Australia. The range of services, programs and initiatives delivered by the IDC since establishment include (but is not limited to) the following.
1995 to present - Innovation Development Services
IDC remains Australia’s leading innovation development services firm, delivering a suite of specialised commercialisation products and services to help inventors and innovative small businesses evaluate, develop, protect and commercialise new ideas. Each year IDC provides help to more than 1000 innovators from across Australia.
1995 to 2009 - Hunter Innovation Advisory Service
Under the auspice of Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW) IDC established the Hunter Innovation Advisory Service. This service also extended to regional NSW. The role of the service was to assist inventors and innovative small businesses take their ideas to market through free advice and referral and partially subsidised innovation assessments and market research. Through the service IDC delivered the following outcomes:
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A range of seminars and workshops on commercialising innovation/s;
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Developed and implemented commercialisation plans with, and for clients;
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Provided linkages through an effective network of industry, professional and government agencies;
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Connected qualified clients with programs such as COMET, R&D Tax Concessions, Australian Technology Showcase; and
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Delivered Regional Innovation Advisory Service programs to regional areas. This seminar and consultation series presented advice on Commercialisation, Intellectual Property and Grants and Support (AusIndustry and Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW)). Programs were delivered in Albury, Queanbeyan, Wollongong, Tamworth, Orange, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Tweed Heads, Ballina and Lismore.
2007 to present - Hunter Founders Forum
Founders Forum is an angel investor network devoted to assisting early-stage investment opportunities. Members from throughout the Hunter invest, sit on boards, make introductions, consult and share their experiences with other angels and business associates. IDC's Executive Officer, Darrell Nicholls is a Nominated Advisor (NOMAD) and also Member of the Hunter Founders Forum Support Committee.
2000 to 2008 - Innovation Cluster Programs
Building on the previous work with clusters and networks IDC delivered successful Innovation Cluster programs funded by Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW). Cluster programs managed by the IDC included:
- Building and Construction Cluster - This cluster delivered technology awareness, business practice improvement and networking to a range of SMEs in the Hunter's building and construction industry (45 firms as members);
Advanced Manufacturing Cluster - The need for this cluster was identified through research into the Textile, Clothing and Footwear industry in the Hunter. The focus was extended to provide support to a range of manufacturing SMEs in latest technology and business practices; and
Aquaculture Technology Awareness Group
2006 to present - Australian Patent Attorney Directory
IDC launched the Australian Patent Attorney Directory in April 2006 in aim of providing a leading referral point for inventors and innovation small businesses seeking patent attorney serives. The Directory was launched as part of the Australian Innovation Festival and coincided with World IP Day.
2001 to 2002 - Business Builders Program
IDC secured funding under the Federal Government “Business Builder Program” and delivered a successful trade mission for the building products and services related industries into the Pacific Islands market region. Some 30 firms were involved in the program which culminated in the group attending a trade show in Fiji and securing a number of export orders for group members.
2000 – Research and Development (R&D) Grants
IDC facilitated a number of Hunter based businesses access to R&D Grants. In particular the success of Sensational Foods in 2000 receiving the then highest R&D Start program in the Hunter.
1995 to 1998 - Business Networks Program
IDC was the host organisation for the Federal Government Business Networks Program in the Hunter. Eight Feasibility and Business Plan studies were completed over the three year program. The Business Network Program involved identifying and recruiting individual businesses to come together to form a hard network to achieve outcomes that they would not have been able to achieve on their own. Often these member businesses would be competitors in the business world but the process enabled the development of trust leading to feasibility plans for the network and eventually business plans supporting the ongoing network. Networks were established in Wine, Sustainable Industries, Water Pipeline and Glass Pressure Chamber.
As a result of the Water Pipeline Network the IDC provided initial support for the Pokolbin pipeline project which combined private sector and Government funding that drought proofed the Pokolbin Region through a Private Irrigation District (PID).
1998 – Industry Capability Network (ICN)
IDC provided underwriting sponsorship to enable the establishment of an Industrial Supplies Office (now ICN) in the Hunter. This service is now well established and provides an invaluable resource to the Region.
1996 - Bizlink Program
IDC established expert advice and support in the delivery of information through the Federal Government Bizlink program. This was a crucial service at the time in Newcastle with the wind down of BHP and the growth of the individual contractor sector. The program provided the link between SMEs and the various Government initiatives at the time.
1996 – Cluster Mapping Program
In association with the Hunter Regional Development Organisation (HURDO), IDC undertook an extensive Cluster Mapping Program which culminated in the first draft publication of the Hunter Economic Development Strategy – Hunter Advantage in 1996. Cluster mapping studies were completed on the following industries within the Hunter:
- Equine;
- Engineering;
- Community Education and Training;
- Surf;
- IT;
- Defence;
- Sustainable Industries;
- Wine;
- Arts; and
- Mining.
As a result of this program the IDC provided enabling funding and support to establish clusters with average memberships of 25 businesses in:
1992 – IDC Established
The IDC, a not-for-profit business services organisation was established - funded through a Federal Government initiative to assist industry development in the Hunter region and thereby create employment opportunities.
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