Future Cities mission to Australia: applications now open
Innovative UK businesses working in the advanced urban services sector can meet potential customers, partners and investors in Melbourne.
Innovate UK’s 2018 Future Cities mission will take place in Melbourne, Australia.
Applications are open for Innovate UK’s 2018 Future Cities delegation to Australia. The mission - taking place from 12 to 16 March 2018 - is a valuable opportunity to build new business collaborations overseas.
Why Australia?
Australia is a highly urbanised country. In 2014, 89% of the population (21 million people) lived in urban areas. The urbanisation rate is forecast to reach 93% (of 31 million people) by 2050. Among the challenges that Australian cities face are:
- an ageing population
- resilience to climate change
- water scarcity
- urban sprawl
- housing affordability
- congestion
The country has recognised the importance of cities to its economy, and the need to adapt to improve productivity and accessibility.
Benefits of taking part
By attending, you’ll learn about market opportunities and business culture. You’ll develop a tailored pitch and then travel to Australia to meet prospective partners, investors and customers. You’ll also have the chance to visit pioneering future cities projects in Melbourne.
Importantly, it will help you to raise your company profile in one of the biggest smart cities markets and get advice from the Department for International Trade on exporting globally.
Previous missions have taken delegations to India and South East Asia.
Innovate UK connected cities missions to South East Asia & India
Who should attend
To be eligible for Innovate UK’s 2018 Future Cities mission you must:
- be a UK-registered micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)
- have been trading for at least one year
- be looking for Australian customers, partners or investors within one of the following areas:
- infrastructure, such as energy, waste and water management, telecoms, security and safety and the built environment
- smart mobility, including transport, parking, traffic management and road safety
- governance, for example, urban planning
- health, such as assisted living, telehealth and air quality
- technology infrastructure, including the Internet of Things, systems integration, data analytics and smart grid
Mission information
- applications are now open, and the deadline is 24 November 2017
- you can attend a recruitment webinar on 14 November 2017, or a one-day event in Manchester on 17 November 2017 to meet an Australian trade delegation
- up to 20 businesses will take part
- successful businesses will pay travel and event costs
Innovate UK’s mission partners are the Department for International Trade, the Future Cities Catapult, the Knowledge Transfer Network and 100%Open.