By Abu Odigie, CEO & Co-Founder, Tendertrace. 

Note* Picture courtesy of InnovationAus.

I’d like to share some fascinating takeaways from my participation as the keynote speaker at the recent InnovationAus Capability Papers event in Canberra. This experience has been incredibly enlightening, as I engaged in discussions that are actively moulding the trajectory of our industry. The event was particularly noteworthy due to its diverse audience, including representatives from both Government and the Technology sector. 

Being in the midst of Government and technology discussions is precisely where Tendertrace belongs, as we stand as the bridge that closes the gap between innovation and Government harnessing ALL innovation from a diverse supplier base (enterprise, large and SMEs) for better citizen experience.

I also had the privilege of showcasing how Tendertrace is assuming a pivotal role in this journey. Beyond just data, our focus lies in delivering insightful and actionable information, benefiting both government entities and suppliers like yourself.

Some of the audience members were also taken aback by the insights I presented from Tendertrace’s Transparency Index on Defence, which I will cover below.

Local Enterprises and Government Support:

One key theme that resonated throughout the event was the need for government backing of homegrown technology. Local vendors, like us at Tendertrace, are keen on harnessing our innovative potential and making an impact not just within Australia, but also on the global stage. We’re talking about legislation to promote Australian-made products and strategic agreements with other nations to pave the way for this transformation.

Defence Industry Dynamics:

The discussions highlighted a notable imbalance in the Defence sector. Many experts pointed out that other countries tend to prioritise their interests, which doesn’t always create a level playing field. The unanimous call was for Australia to assertively safeguard its valuable assets and avoid them slipping into foreign hands.

Innovation and Niche Markets:

Professor Ganjia and Michael Biercuk had some intriguing insights. They emphasised the significance of Australia’s originality and suggested that we focus on niche markets where our unique perspective can make a global impact. It’s about boldly challenging established global players while aligning with our country’s exceptional identity.

Global Ambitions and Intellectual Property:

The event brought to light concerns around intellectual property within the Defence sector. Collaborating with educational institutions was highlighted as an issue, and the consensus was for Australia to enhance innovation while embracing global best practices. We aim to be more than just dominant in a confined space – we’re looking at a broader, international impact.

Tendertrace’s Insights:

At Tendertrace, we shared insights from our Transparency Index on Defence. The Department of Defence scored an impressive 71.2% in transparency, surpassing the national average of 52.9%.

If you would like a copy of the Defence report I presented please request it here. 

Areas for further improvement unfolded.

We identified areas for further improvement, such as detailed contract descriptions and clearer linkage between tenders and contract notices. Our platform is all about providing clarity and actionable data.

Corrie McLeod, the host of the InnovationAus discussion, mentioned after the event, “In Canberra, we delved into the intricacies of government procurement data. During the conversation with Abu Odigie, Co-founder of Tendertrace, we explored their ingenious platform engineered to extract valuable and actionable data for both government entities and suppliers alike.”

It was a truly enlightening event, and I’m excited about the future possibilities that these discussions are uncovering.