5th December 2022 – A bi-lateral agreement between the Institute of Digital Research and Innovation (IDRI), Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology and the Gold Coast innovation Hub (GC Hub) will see the Gold Coast become an entry point to Australia for high growth Cambodian Tech companies and the establishment of support for Gold Coast tech companies wishing to expand to Southeast Asia.
Partnership discussions commenced following a visit to the GC Hub by a Cambodian government delegation sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under the Mekong-Australia Partnership program, delivered by Australia Awards Cambodia to build the capacity of the next generation of men and women leaders in the Mekong.
GC Hub CEO, Sharon Hunneybell, said the agreement laid the foundations for a bold vision that the organization has long held for the city to serve as a gateway to Australia for new and innovative international businesses.
“For several years now the Gold Coast’s reputation as a hotspot for innovation within Australia has been growing. With the recent expansion of the Gold Coast International Airport, improved infrastructure throughout the city to support the booming tech and digital sector and GC Hub’s range of support services to help innovative companies establish a new home base on the Gold Coast, the city is well positioned to act as the market entry point of global startups into Australia.”
H.E Dr. Sam Sethserey, Director General of Institute of Digital Research and Innovation of Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology welcomed the partnership as an opportunity to showcase Cambodia as an emerging destination for startups entering the South-East Asian market and investors looking to diversify their portfolio through international opportunities.
“The COVID-19 Crisis has fast tracked the adoption of digital technologies and created a new economy of high growth technology-based businesses in Cambodia. We see this collaboration with the Gold Coast Innovation Hub as an opportunity to increase the digital startup capacity and investment readiness of Cambodian businesses, and to build a bi-lateral pathway between Australia and Cambodia supported by community, industry and government.”
Under the signed Memorandum of Understanding, two institutions will conduct rigorous policy studies and research on digital technology and its impacts on the economy and society. They will further strengthen their respective communities through the sharing of content, co-delivery of online workshops and the co-ordination of quarterly think-tanks to link innovation leaders from across the globe.
Representatives from the Government, Education and business sector interested in learning more about how they can benefit from and contribute to the establishment of this unique trade pathway between Cambodia and Australia are invited to attend a co-hosted online industry briefing to be held in January. Contact team@gchub.com.au to register your interest.
About the Gold Coast Innovation Hub:
The Gold Coast Innovation Hub (GC hub) is a not-for-profit organization launched in 2017 with the support of the Queensland Government, City of Gold Coast and over 20 corporate partners committed to driving a new digital economy on the Gold Coast and across Australia.
The GC hub designs and delivers a suite of programs and activities to support Gold Coast businesses, technologists and innovators and to attract new digital business to the city. It drives connections between industry and government and operates a business incubator designed by innovators, for innovators, where startups and scale-ups can connect, collaborate, grow, raise investment, and expand into global markets.
Learn more at: www.gchub.com.au
About the Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology:
Institute of Digital Research and Innovation is a public research institution under the Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology in charge of research and development in digital technology and digital innovation and entrepreneurship promotion.
Learn more at: https://idri.edu.kh