A Round of APPLAUSE for SA’s Medtech Sector
30 November 2023
Last week, more than 240 innovators, entrepreneurs, leaders, researchers, healthcare service providers and changemakers gathered at the SkyCity Ballroom, Adelaide for APPLAUSE23, organised by the Adelaide Intermediary Program (AIP).
‘Collaboration’ was the theme for the evening and Professor Mark Hutchinson, Master of Ceremonies, invited guests to make new connections during the event and then capture the collaboration via the APPLAUSE23 photo booth.
The celebration of SA’s Health and Medical Innovation achievements in 2023 kicked off with formal presentations from Novartis, Australia and New Zealand President, Richard Tew who talked about the value of partnerships.
“South Australia has the ingredients for success in Theranostics. This includes the talents, innovations and vision of Radioligand Therapy, and a true Earth-to-Arm approach – that brings the latest therapies to treat cancer patients. Partnerships with universities, clinicians, researchers, policy makers, and industry will spark collaborations and find new pathways.”
MTPConnect's Chair, the Hon Jaala Pulford, shared the impact of the Adelaide Intermediary Program and said in just under two years the team has:
- Connected with 270 organisations and 1,200 people
- Made 300 business connections
- Trained 110 stakeholders in commercialisation capabilities
- Identified 80 funding opportunities and supported >$16 million of funding coming into South Australia
- Hosted more than 50 events to empower and connect the sector.
Guests enjoyed the sounds of Amicus Strings during the event and there was a line of guests waiting to use the photo booth to capture team photos on the night.
Expectations were high, as the highly anticipated Secret element was revealed with more than 40 CEOs, researchers, business professionals, students, and healthtech entrepreneurs taking part in a Flash Mob to showcase collaboration across the sector.
The AIP team kept ‘the secret’ under wraps for months, recruiting willing participants from the health and medical innovation sector and providing dance instructions to the Flash Mob via video. Some children rehearsed with their parents in lounge rooms and some dancers even practiced their moves in boardrooms! The group met only once to rehearse but did a great job on the night working in harmony to wow the crowd.
AIP Director Jo Close says the Flash Mob idea was chosen for the event because collaboration is powerful. "When we move together in the same direction we can achieve incredible impact,” said Ms Close.
APPLAUSE23 Celebration Reel
Launched at APPLAUSE23, the 2023 Celebration Reel showcased many South Australian achievements and focussed on Adelaide as the destination for health and medical activity, achievements and innovation.
The reel highlighted collaboration, connection, capacity building and capabilities, and a culture of innovation, inviting viewers to discover how South Australians work together, expand their footprint and capabilities, carry out key research, develop and trial new innovations and products, improve health outcomes, attract investment, strengthen the workforce, and more.
More than 70 organisations, 23 individuals and 250 slides highlighted SA sector achievements in the reel. Watch here for the short version and the longer version.
Support for APPLAUSE23
APPLAUSE23 was made possible by sponsors, AusHealth and FB Rice, and ecosystem partners, Medical Device Partnering Program and Health Translation SA.
Special thanks go to Jackson and his dancers for the choreography and AIP team member Jessica Maxwell for her dance instructional video, AusHealth's Greg Johansen for pumping up the volume, and all the sector's dancers. We were also thankful for help on the night from students from the Industry Doctoral Training Centre (IDTC).
The AIP team has already started planning APPLAUSE24! We look forward to celebrating the achievements of the South Australian ecosystem with the sector in 2024.