MTPConnect Adelaide Intermediary Program recently hosted a dynamic SA Insights fireside chat and networking evening, exploring how South Australia’s innovation infrastructure is accelerating research translation and strengthening industry collaboration — with a spotlight on the powerful capabilities of Adelaide University’s Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) and the The Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) – OptoFab node.
The event was all about bringing together leaders across research, industry and innovation, and our discussion with the experts was led by our Industry Development Officer Santhni Subramaniam.
A huge thank you to our panellists for their insights:
🎤 Dr Matthew Chong | ANFF-C
🎤 A/Prof Jiawen Li | Theia Medical
🎤 Prof Laura Parry | Adelaide University
🎤 Stephen Blakeney | Affinyx
From advanced photonics, micro- and nanofabrication to precision characterisation and industrial-scale manufacturing, these shared facilities are enabling:
🟡 Faster R&D and prototyping
🟡 Reduced risk in early-stage innovation
🟡 Scalable pathways to commercialisation
A key insight: Access to NCRIS-enabled facilities can be a game-changer — combining science, engineering and open-access technology with commercialisation expertise to reduce risk, test and validate ideas, and accelerate the journey from concept to market.
Themes covered include:
✔️ The critical role of shared infrastructure and innovation precincts in accelerating translation
✔️ Practical pathways for industry to engage with SA’s research ecosystem
✔️ Funding mechanisms supporting early-stage innovation, including TTRA and the ANFF-C Pre-Seed Fund
✔️ It’s not just physical infrastructure, it’s the skilled people with expertise to advise, operate and maintain infrastructure
✔️ How strategic investment in infrastructure is strengthening industry–research collaboration
✔️ Positioning South Australia as a leading destination for R&D partnerships
South Australia continues to demonstrate how connected ecosystems, world-class infrastructure and collaborative mindset can unlock real-world impact.
Thank you to the IPAS team, Drew E. and Laurence Deziel for such a warm welcome, hosting, and conducting a guided tour of key capabilities and infrastructure.
The SA State Government provides funding support to 12 South Australian facilities within the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) network, strengthening the state’s research capability through the recruitment of specialist expertise and investment in new and upgraded equipment.
