Connecting for Growth
Cluster Connect brings together Australia’s 5 leading agrifood clusters. This group represents a network of over 6,000 member businesses, stakeholders and supporters with a collective output value exceeding $10 billion, demonstrating its substantial presence in Australia’s agrifood industry.
Supporting industry growth through curated and trusted connections is what we do!
Following is a series of programs and activities on offer to Industry Growth Program participants. These offerings will be rolled out over the course of the Industry Growth Program’s two-year period.
Commercial Connect
Cluster Connect leverages expertise from industry experts to support SMEs in the agrifood sector, enhancing their commercial capabilities.
Workshop Topics
- Compliance and Certification: Led by specialists to educate SMEs on compliance requirements, quality assurance, food safety / standards and general industry best practices.
- Strategic Expansion: Strategic consultation for scaling up operations and developing national and export strategies that align with national consumer and global market trends.
- Future Manufacturing Leaders Program: Capabilities and skills for advanced manufacturers.
- Food Innovation Program: New product development.
Connections and Support With
Trusted Industry Panel: IGPPs (Industry Growth Program Participants) are connected with a panel of trusted industry experts through a comprehensive expertise inventory. This inventory categorises specialists by sector knowledge, skills, and experience. Connections are made based on the initial needs analysis, a review of the IGPP plan, and needs outlined by IGP advisers. The panel is regularly updated to reflect evolving skills and sector needs, ensuring it remains responsive and relevant.
Areas of Expertise
- Talent attraction and workforce development
- Process optimisation and scaling up production capabilities
- Innovation and product development
- Quality assurance, certifications
- Market access and distribution
- Regulatory and compliance navigation
- Investment attraction
R&D Connect
R&D Connect is a transformative initiative within the Cluster Connect suite of services, specifically designed to connect the IGPPs with our network of research experts. The program catalyses the research and development (R&D) process by connecting IGPPs with cutting-edge research facilities, funding opportunities, and expert guidance.
Workshop Topics
- IP 101 – Intellectual Property Support: Provide guidance on patenting processes, intellectual property rights, and commercialisation strategies to protect and leverage new innovations.
- Consumer Trends and NPD: Ensures R&D efforts are aligned with market needs and consumer trends, increasing the likelihood of commercial viability and success.
- Funding Navigate: Assists SMEs in identifying and applying for R&D funding, grants, and investment, simplifying the financial complexities of research-driven projects.
Connections and Support With
- Resource Integration: Connection and access to a network of research institutions and R&D labs, facilitating the transition from conceptual R&D to tangible product development.
- Expert Collaboration: Support for collaborative projects with leading researchers, industry experts, and other innovators to foster industry led innovation and business growth
Strategic Connect
The offering focuses on establishing and nurturing connections between the IGPPs and key government bodies, industry organisations, and influential stakeholders at regional, state, and national levels.
Workshop Topics
- Grant Ready: Webinars and workshops to support IGPPs through the process of identifying and applying for governmental grants and subsidises.
- State Based Support: Connection with relevant local and state based agencies and support for IGPPS in specific program
Connections and Support With
- Policy Navigation: Support IGPPs in understanding and leveraging government policies, incentives, and regulatory frameworks.
- Advocacy: Act on behalf of IGPPs to represent their interests in policy discussions and development where relevant and appropriate
- Sector Partnerships: Facilitate strategic partnerships with relevant industry organisations and consortia to foster collaboration, access to capacity and capability building
- Distribution Channels: Identify and establish new distribution channels and market access points through state-based and national relationships with Investment bodies i.e Austrade, Trade and Investment Queensland, etc
Thrive & Prosper Program
The Thrive & Prosper offering focuses on well-being and personal development for IGPPs.
It emphasises the connection between business success and mental health, offering holistic support for human elements in business growth and innovation.
Workshop Topics
- Holistic Health Sessions: Workshops on stress management, work-life balance, and mindfulness to enhance mental and emotional well-being.
- Creating a mentally healthy workplace: Workshops on embedding a culture of mental health importance in the organisation
Connections and Support via
- Peer Support Groups: Facilitated groups providing a space for sharing experiences, challenges, and strategies for personal and professional growth.
- Regular Check-ins: Scheduled assessments to check on the well-being of participants and make adjustments to their personal development plans.
- Feedback System: A platform for participants to provide feedback on the program and receive personalised advice.
R&D Connect
R&D Connect is a transformative initiative, specifically designed to connect the IGPPs with our network of research experts. The program catalyses the research and development (R&D) process by connecting IGPPs with cutting-edge research facilities, funding opportunities, and expert guidance.
Strategic Connect
The program focuses on establishing and nurturing connections between the IGPPs and key government bodies, industry organisations, and influential stakeholders at regional, state, and national levels.
Commercial Connect
Commercial Connect expands Cluster Connect by leveraging expertise from industry experts to support SMEs in the agrifood sector, enhancing their commercial capabilities
Thrive & Prosper
The Thrive & Prosper Program focuses on well-being and personal development for IGPPs. It emphasises the connection between business success and mental health, offering holistic support for human elements in business growth and innovation.
This page is only accessible by logged in Cluster Connect members.
If you are an eligible member, please login below.