A world-first technology innovation hackathon will be taking place in Adelaide, which is another major coup for South Australia’s burgeoning space scene.
According to a recent press release, the event will see the space community and businesses across a variety of high-growth industries join forces to solve real-world problems using cutting-edge space technology and data.
The Hackathon
The Gravity Challenge is now open for registration.
It will bring together entrepreneurs, universities, government and businesses to design and build solutions to real industrial, social and environmental problems while using the space capabilities of a technological global giant and of a professional auditing services company.
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall shared that securing the Gravity Challenge is another major coup for the State.
It stemmed from recent discussions with the professional services company during a trip to Washington D.C.
South Australia hosting this world-first event is a testament to its vibrant space sector. More importantly, it will bolster the state’s position as a leader in the nation’s space endeavours.
The Gravity Challenge is an exciting opportunity to engage Australia’s brightest entrepreneurs, researchers and business leaders to work together on challenges across a wide range of industries using advanced satellite data.
It will improve the way space technology and data are exploited to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of key sectors of the economy.
These key sectors are mining, defence, transport, logistics, health, telecommunications, tourism and agriculture.
South Australia has a thriving space ecosystem that can capitalise on these opportunities.
Utilising space data and solutions
However, the real challenge lies in strengthening communication between space technology providers and businesses that may be unaware of the opportunities that exist.
This will have the added benefit of increasing South Australia’s attractiveness to leading entrepreneurs, students, talent and researchers.
Having an event, which is organised by a major global company, happen in South Australia is proof of where the state is headed.
The Australian Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer of the auditing services company explained that many different industries have high value challenges that need addressing now.
Industries such as defence, mining, insurance and agriculture are facing increasingly difficult problems today.
But a lot of companies do not know that space data and solutions can be applied to almost any industry.
Businesses are encouraged to put forward their most pressing issues to see if Australia’s best innovators can solve them, thereby accelerating return on investment and creating new market offerings.
Businesses and corporate organisations are being encouraged to sponsor problems, while entrepreneurs and researchers can now register their interest in taking part in the Gravity Challenge.
The Challenge will coincide with Space Week 2019, which will be held in Adelaide from 30 September to 4 October 2019.
Other events of the week include the 8th Space Forum and the 19th Australian Space Research Conference.
