ICT Geelong receives $100,000 grant

The Victorian government has injected $100,000 into ICT Geelong, a body representing the ICT (information, communication and technology) industry in the Victorian city of Geelong.

The funding is provided under the Victorian Government’s Innovation Through Clusters program, and will support the growth of ICT in the region over the next two years, according to the government.

The cash is expected to go towards key elements of ICT Geelong’s charter, including increasing ICT investment, research and development, commercialisation activities, promoting ICT skills and education, and leading networking and collaboration opportunities.

“Major projects [of the Innovation Through Clusters program] include the development of ICT research and investment opportunities, commercialisation of technologies (such as radio frequency identification) and delivery of the annual Technology Entrepreneurship Forum and ICT investment pitching competition,” said Gordon Rich-Phillips, the Victorian Minister for Technology.

ICT Geelong is supported by financial sponsors including the City of Greater Geelong, Deakin University, Barwon Health, Callista Software Services, TransAct and FE Technologies.

“Deakin University is undertaking world-class research and live projects with industry partners in haptics, robotics and simulation,” said Robert Reed, Chairman of ICT Geelong.

“Barwon Health is a recognised leader in e-health, and the newly established Keystone Business Park will provide some excellent future opportunities for businesses in the technology sector,” Reed said.

According to Rich-Phillips, the Geelong region is an attractive location for ICT.

“There are approximately 250 ICT organisations operating in the Geelong region employing around 2500 people,” Rich-Phillips said.