Qld TWiG program proving successful

The Testing Within Government (TWiG) program is producing innovative digital solutions to real-world problems in Queensland.

This program enables small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to work with the Queensland Government on addressing business problems.

“Successful applicants receive $25,000 in funding to test and refine their product — and after 12 weeks, applicants showcase their products and their TWiG program experience,” said Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch.

“With eight government agencies working on 11 unique challenges, the TWiG program is certainly gaining momentum.”

As part of the program, a new 3D online project displaying scale models of buildings has been developed by Ditto Labs and SiteSee, working with the Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation (DSITI).

Ditto Labs Director Christie Tamas said the TWiG program allowed her company to engage with government in a way which would not otherwise have been possible.

“The solution which we initially proposed is quite different to the solution we’ve delivered, and the structure of the program made this possible,” Tamas said.

“Our partners at SiteSee were able to develop improvements to their 3D viewer which they were able to roll out to their existing customers. Exposure we’ve received through the project has led to new work in new industries and with existing customers.”

QUT Professor and PwC Chair in Digital Economy Marek Kowalkiewicz said lessons learned from leaders in digital economy show strong collaboration across governments and between government and business is a catalyst to enabling businesses to grow.

“Departments collaborating closely with business are more agile, open to innovation and quicker in responding to citizens’ needs. Many organisations we researched indicated to us that collaboration with government helps them in building confidence and further grows their business,” said Kowalkiewicz.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Sergey Nivens

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