University of Adelaide and California company collaborate

The University of Adelaide and California-based generative AI technology company Ryght have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to allow the university access to the Ryght AI platform.

The partnership will provide the university with a locally managed, secure AI software platform to accelerate research and innovation.

“Ryght’s expertise in GenAI aligns perfectly with the University of Adelaide’s strengths in health and life sciences, particularly within the Adelaide BioMed City precinct,” said Anton Middelberg, deputy vice-chancellor and vice-president (research) at the university.

“This partnership will provide Ryght with access to highly qualified AI researchers from the University of Adelaide who are embedded in clinical and biomedical research, giving the company an edge in the competitive race to work with the best AI talent.”

– Isabella Kelly

Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency, New Zealand Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins, Ed Husic, Minister for Industry and Science and SmartSat CRC CEO Professor Andy Koronios. Photo: supplied

SmartSat funds research projects

SmartSat CRC has announced the first four jointly funded space research projects under a partnership with New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

The four projects, beginning this month, include research into methane emission monitoring, greenhouse gas monitoring, managing free space optical communication nodes, improving space object tracking, and creating a concept for maritime domain awareness.

“Initiatives such as this are essential to foster the development of space technology and amplify its impact,” SmartSat CRC chief research officer Carl Seubert said.

SmarSat has now opened submissions for further research projects, with up to $100,000 on offer for Australia-based research, targeted at projects that aim to address environmental, economic and social challenges.

– Isabella Kelly

Lutheran Homes Group relocates

Lutheran Homes Group (LHG), a retirement living, residential care and home care services provider, has moved its head office to Pirie Street, with around 85 corporate staff working out of the new headquarters.

“The new office provides cohesive working spaces and enhanced facilities, emphasising our commitment to providing a contemporary work environment,” CEO Tim Chia said.

LHG has more than 1000 staff and volunteers across Adelaide and currently has 26 independent living units either for sale or due to hit the market soon, with prices ranging from $300,000 to $375,000.

“Retirement living is about much more than the property itself. These homes offer an easy-living lifestyle, with safety, security, support and community.”

– Isabella Kelly

Richard Angove. Photo: supplied

St Agnes Distillery wins big at award ceremony.

St Agnes Distillery has won the highest accolade at the 2024 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards (ADSA).

The Renmark distillery is being recognized for Best Brandy, Consistency of Excellence and the Champion Australian Distiller award.

The distillery has previously been awarded multiple medals at other competitions, consistently winning Best Brandy at the ADSA and for its Blind Tiger Organic Gin and Camborne Sing Malt Australian Whisky.

Richard Angove, the fifth-generational head of St Agnes said the company was “immensely proud to receive these awards”.

“We are Australia’s oldest family-owned distillery, and our proud history is hugely important to us in how we approach our spirits,” he said.

– Joel Sugars

2024 CEDA Economic Outlook, an event presenting the latest on the global, national and state economies with CEDA’s senior economist Melissa Wilson at KPMG on August 15.

Tech Harvest – Ingenuity in Agri-Business, an AmCham event on technology’s role in improving agricultural productivity with Elders managing director and CEO Mark Allison, at the Adelaide Convention Centre on August 29.

EuroMix, a French Australian Chamber of Commerce event celebrating food and wine and the partnerships between countries such as Austria, France, Germany, and Greece, with Minister for Multicultural Affairs Zoe Bettison at the Adelaide Convention Centre on August 29.

Australia’s Space Future Conference, a French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry event with REDARC Defence & Space and Neumann Space, at REDARC Electronics on September 5.

South Australian Business Index, an InDaily event presenting an independent ranking of South Australia’s top 100 companies, with Premier Peter Malinauskas, at the Adelaide Convention Centre on September 20.

Inspiring Women Impacting the World and Beyond – Women in Defence, an Australia Day Council event with Jessica Pisani from the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Kate van Hilst from the Australian Submarine Agency, and Libby Day from the Defence Teaming Centre, at the Allan Scott Auditorium on September 20.

Pink Yellow Blue Disco, a Flinders Foundation event raising funds for cancer research and care, at the Adelaide Convention Centre on October 12.

Photo: supplied

DHL Express unveils new Adelaide gateway

DHL Express has opened its new $32 million Adelaide Gateway in the Airport Junction’s precinct.

The relocation has delivered four times more handling capacity, with a total of 8600 sqm of warehouse space six kilometres from the Adelaide CBD.

Adelaide Airport’s head of property development Shimon Spina said the state government’s Freight and Supply Chain Strategy had shown the importance of direct access through Adelaide, eliminating the need to use other Australian ports.

“Local businesses make a significant contribution to the economy, bringing jobs and creating an environment of positivity in the market,” managing director of DHL Express Australia and Papua New Guinea Phil Corcoran said.

“Their determination and initiative in taking on new markets, supported by our commitment to help them succeed through the global DHL Express Network, will take their success to the next level.”

– Joel Sugars

Mustafa Razaee and Sadeq Al-Khalidi in Mawson Lakes. Photo: supplied

Belle Property open new office

Real estate brand Belle Property has opened its first office in the northern sSuburbs, situated in Mawson Lakes.

The new establishment will be pioneered by market leaders Sadeq Al-Khalidi and Mustafa Razaee, who have worked in the real estate industry for a combined 14 years.

The duo plan on tapping into the Mawson Lakes market as it undergoes a record-breaking high in sale prices, reaching $2.2 million in the past 12 months.

“Our focus is to deliver prestige services to our clients and as Adelaide’s real estate market continues to exponentially grow, we are prepared to go the extra mile in delivering exceptional outcomes for our Mawson Lakes clientele,” Razaee said.

– Joel Sugars

Ord Minnett begins brand reset

Ord Minnett, an Australian wealth management group, is working with branding design agency Principals to transition its specialization from stockbroking to full-service advice and investment services.

Principals is developing new Mastering Destinies and Financial Wave brandings as a reflection of Ord Minnett’s long-term business relationships and their careful influence on $62 billion of client’s finances.

Ord Minnett Chief Marketing Officer Siobhan Keaton said with the growth of the company over 152 years, there was a need for a new business phase.

“In refreshing our brand, the task was to broaden market perceptions,” Keaton said.

“Importantly, the brand refresh will allow us to reach new audiences, and signal to the market that Ords has evolved.”

– Joel Sugars

Keynote speakers from around the world will attend the Smart Cities Week. Photo: supplied

Adelaide to host Smart Cities Week

Adelaide is hosting Smart Cities Week APAC 2024 this week from August 5 to August 9, with experts and thought leaders coming together to discuss the future of smart cities around the world.

The conference will cover themes such as cybersecurity, privacy and data, public safety, health and aged care, and AI and machine learning.

“Our goal is to deliver positive, self-sustaining social, environmental, and economic outcomes for people, place and planet. This conference and its events are a critical step towards achieving that vision,” president of the Smart Cities Council Corey Gray said.

Smart Cities Council is the largest and longest-running membership-based social impact organisation in the world, operating in more than 20 countries.

– Isabella Kelly

Iondrive see positive trial results

Battery recycling company Iondrive says trials of its DES battery recycling technology have shown positive results at a 1000x scale-up.

Iondrive uses Deep Eutectic Solvents and benign biodegradable organic solvents in a closed-loop process to avoid toxic mineral acid leaching in the battery recycling process.

“It confirms that our DES battery recycling process scales effectively and maintains high metal recovery rates with minimal solvent losses,” said CEO Ebbe Dommisse.

“We convert these recovered minerals to battery-grade materials, directly supplying EV battery manufacturers.”

– Isabella Kelly 

Woomera Mining successful in tax incentive application

Woomera Mining announced last week it had been successful in applying for a tax incentive under the Federal Government’s Junior Mineral Exploration (JMEI) Scheme.

The company will receive a $300,000 allocation in JMEI tax credits, allowing it to give up part of its tax losses for potential distribution to investors.

The scheme encourages investment in junior exploration companies conducting Greenfields mineral exploration.

– Isabella Kelly