Enterprise Connect is a national initiative established by the Australian Government and provides comprehensive support to Australian small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), to help them become more innovative, efficient and competitive.
Within Enterprise Connect, Zernike Australia executes the following services for Western Australia:

Researcher in Business (RiB)
The Australian Government has committed $10 million within Enterprise Connect towards Researcher in Business (RiB). This program is designed to support the placement of researchers from universities or public research agencies into businesses where it is identified that a researcher would help to develop and implement a new idea or solve a problem. 

The Australian Institute for Commercialisation (AIC) has been appointed by the Commonwealth Government to provide free service under the RiB program. This will help businesses to identify relevant research organisation expertise and to formally engage with them.

Zernike Australia, executes the RiB program in Western Australia on behalf of the AIC.

Funding for up to 50 per cent of a researchers salary costs including an overhead allowance, to a maximum of $50,000.00 will be provided. Projects can be for a period of 2 to 12 months utilising the researcher part-time of full-time. Researchers must spend a significant time period working on-site within the firm.

For RiB program in WA, please contact:

Arnold Stroobach
Zernike Australia 
Ph:(08) 6267 9251

For all other states, please contact:

Alex Blauensteiner
Australian Institute for Commercialisation 
Ph: (07) 3853 5259

For more information see Enterprise Connect

Clean Energy Innovation Centre (CEIC)
With funding of $20 million over four years, the Clean Energy Innovation Centre (CEIC) will be based in New Castle help enhance the performance of Australia's small and medium sized clean energy companies by providing a range of business improvement services.

The Government has announced Newcastle Innovation, Australian Institute for Commercialisation (with Zernike Australia as consortium partner) and the Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association to deliver eligible SMEs with a range of targeted services.

Through the Clean Energy Innovation Centre, businesses will also be able to gain quick access to services provided under Austrade's Clean Energy Export Strategy.

Contacts for CEIC services
Dr Brent Jenkins
Newcastle Innovation
Ph:(02) 4921 8777

Alex Blauensteiner
Australian Institute for Commercialisation
Ph:(07) 3853 5259

Dr Ray Wills
WA Sustainable Energy Association
Ph:(08) 9481 3169

Arnold Stroobach
Zernike Australia
Ph:(08) 6267 9251
For more information see Enterprise Connect