IXC Australia

Case Studies 

The InnovationXchange adds value for business, research and government

Much of the work undertaken by IXC Intermediaries is commercially sensitive and often confidential however numerous case studies are already emerging to demonstrate the commercial value of the InnovationXchange model.

  • A university 'spin out' was focused on the mining industry when IXC identified that their capabilities could actually assist a global food corporation (not an IXC client). Within weeks the two companies exchanged contracts. In the words of their CEO:

 "This is a significant amount and has helped [company] achieve a break-even position in only its second year of operation.... while the revenue flowing from these IXC-initiated projects has been extremely welcome, what has been even more important for our long term future, has been the opportunity to connect with leading Australian and international companies who would not otherwise have been aware of [company] and its capabilities."

  • Two global corporations, one based in Australia and the other in Europe, had been trying unsuccessfully for five months to connect to each other. Within weeks IXC had the two companies safely engaged in discussions on a collaboration that if successful was conservatively valued by one of the companies at over $100 million per annum. In the IXC clients' opinion this would never have happened (or at best taken much longer) had it not been for the involvement of IXC.

  • IXC now works with a small Victorian medical research institute that had been unsuccessful in finding a commercial partner for their IP over 4 years. Their IXC Intermediary has connected the institute to a local manufacturing SME which resulted in a short-term, focused development program worth tens of thousands of dollars and from which, if successful, the collaborative technology developed would access a global market worth in excess of US$100 million.

  • IXC has undertaken numerous confidential and non-confidential investigations on behalf of global dairy company Fonterra. In the words of Stuart Quigley, External Relationships Manager, Group Technology Fonterra

"IXC has added value in a number of ways to the Fonterra Innovation process. Key to this is the ability to provide introductions on a basis that they have already identified common areas of interest between two parties.
IXC quite simply provide an environment where it is safe to disclose intellectual property to develop closer ties with potential innovation partners."

  • The bionic ear company Cochlear uses their IXC Intermediary to connect with researchers and companies outside of their usual networks. Paul Carter, Innovation Manager for Cochlear says:

"IXC has opened up a range of outstanding opportunities for Cochlear. Their intermediaries have worked tirelessly to understand our technical needs and to connect us with people and groups who may be able to address them.
They seem to have a bottomless pit of contacts, many of whom we had not come across before. Joining IXC has been a very positive experience for Cochlear."

  • IXC has also made numerous connections for Australia's national research body with potential industry partners. Dr Scott Martin, Theme Leader for the Manufactured Devices Research Theme at CSIRO says:

"CSIRO has a high trust index with Australian industry, but nevertheless there will be highly sensitive information that companies will not share with anyone - except, perhaps, with their IXC Intermediary.
Put simply, IXC overcomes the shyness that can be there when two companies first meet."