Accelerate Magazine of the AHK Australien: Health Cluster Update

Health Cluster

Health Cluster Update

By Bettina Schels, German- Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce

Sharing Expertise for the Benefit of the German- Australian Health Industry

Healthcare is one of the most promising industries in Australia and in Germany. Hence, it might be no surprise that our AHK dedicated a specific cluster to this vibrant sector, with the key objective of fostering Health Business in Australia and Germany.

After its virtual launch of the cluster during the pandemic times last year, topics in focus so far have included AI in Health, Precision Medicine and the Development of Vaccination.

Now that the pandemic-related restrictions have been lifted and face-to-face encounters are possible again, the cluster’s next focus will be on sharing expertise and community building. Among other formats, exciting Health Tech Safaris are on the agenda, where members open their physical doors to other members and provide real insights.

The sharing of knowledge requires trust. This level of trust is what we want to enable through the targeted exchange, thus contribute to an increase in knowledge.

ABOUT THE HEALTH TECH SAFARI

By bus, participants visit three to four cluster members or those who want to become one. A group of 15 to max. 20 members each have the unique opportunity to get to know the selected companies up close and personally and to gain a deeper understanding of the solutions they offer. The tour ends with a concluding discussion with all partners and a get-together.

Sharing expertise is not limited to within the group of cluster members however. That’s why contacts with research institutions and start-ups are another important component of the cluster’s portfolio. Initial talks with universities and innovation hubs have shown how open and interested they are in exchanging ideas with members. Australia has an excellent landscape of hubs in the health sector, and Germany is also in an excellent position in this area. Our cluster will therefore drive forward networking opportunities between the healthcare industry research institutions and start-ups in Germany and Australia. For this reason it is very helpful that our AHK has just taken on the role of ambassador in Australia for the Digital Hub Initiative. Digital Hub Initiative was founded in 2017 and brings together twelve Digital Hubs located throughout Germany to connect start-ups with SMEs, Corporates and Academia.

If you want to join our AHK Health Cluster, please feel free to reach out to Bettina Schels, Cluster Manager – Health.