Briefcase: Business snippets from a major military order to the return of airline services
In this week’s Briefcase, business events have generated a record economic boost for the state, while an SA-based company has partnered with an Italian space agency.
- SA startups selected for competitive accelerator program
- AML3D shipbuilding systems now operational
- Airline services return to Adelaide Airport
- High input prices weigh on SA farmer sentiment
- Business events return record economic boost
- 1414 Degrees secures partnership with space company
SA startups selected for competitive accelerator program
Fourteen startups have been chosen for Adelaide University’s startup acceleration program, which is in its 11th year, allowing emerging business founders to build and grow sustainable, globally scalable and investment-ready businesses.
The Innovation and Collaboration Centre’s Venture Catalyst program is a six month course including workshops, mentoring, and industry expertise.
Out of all startups selected, 26 per cent are current Adelaide University students, 32 per cent are alumni and eight per cent are current staff, with the Innovation and Collaboration Centre supporting more than 150 startups and 239 founders since its 2015 inception.
“There’s a real diversity of ambition in this cohort, from founders rethinking how we manage water and climate data from space, to an art historian building tools that could help galleries reach new audiences,” Adelaide University Associate Director of Business Incubation Craig Jones said.
2026 Venture Catalyst cohort
Venture Catalyst, supported by Adelaide University
- Emify Pty Ltd: AI-driven teammate for sustainability reporting
- SABRN Tech Pty Ltd: Integrated cardiometabolic screening outside traditional healthcare settings
- SoMe Pty Ltd: Helping businesses sell authentically through social media in the age of AI
- SAM: Software tool for construction, keeping builders building instead of chasing paperwork
- DIVELIO: A bolt-on AI layer for cybersecurity SIEMs, designed to reduce alert noise
Venture Catalyst Space, supported by the South Australian Space Industry Centre
- EOI Space: Merging space and ground data to inform decisions on land, water and climate risks
- Tweaklogic: Edge AI solutions designed for space
- THE RED PLAN-ET: Sustainable menstrual care on Earth and in space
- ALTDATA Pty Ltd: Turning space data into AI-powered simulations for faster research in microgravity
- Rarity: Bringing space-grade engineering home to deliver materials resilience on Earth
- AgMap: Mapping agricultural research to the farms that need it
- OffDev: Providing software tools for secure offline and air-gapped systems
- HALO Aerotech: Enabling the future of logistics and air mobility with next-generation aerial platforms
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Venture Catalyst Social Impact, supported by the Pank Family
- LUMI: Transforming artworks into engaging stories for diverse cultural audiences
AML3D shipbuilding systems now operational
AML3D has announced its first two custom, large-scale industrial metal 3D printer ARCEMY X systems for US based Newport News Shipbuilding worth are now operational.
The two custom ARCEMY X systems, worth $4.5 million, use a 10,886kg positioner to create a heavy capacity build capability for use in a wide range of shipbuilding applications.
Newport News Shipbuilding has placed a second order worth $9.9 million for a further four ARCEMY X systems expected to be delivered by early 2027 as AML3D looks to double its US manufacturing capacity.
“We are doubling the capacity at Stow to ensure we are well positioned to maximise the opportunity outlined in the letter of intent we received from the from the US Navy earlier in the 2026 financial year that indicated a need for up to 100 additive manufacturing systems and 3,400 additively manufactured parts by 2030,” AML3D CEO Sean Ebert said.
Airline services return to Adelaide Airport
Qatar Airways resumed flights to Adelaide on Wednesday last week, with daily services resuming this week after the airline ceased operations in the state in February.
The resumption of services via the Middle East dramatically increases the connections for passengers heading to Adelaide from Europe.
Emirates has been operating three times a week since early May and will return to daily flights from June 23.
Despite the fewer flights, April this year was the airport’s busiest month on record with 791,000 people passing through the terminal.
“The return of Qatar and Emirates connections to Adelaide provides options for people visiting our state,” Minister for Tourism Emily Bourke said.
“South Australia is more globally connected than ever before, and we are a safe and secure destination ready to welcome visitors from around the world.”
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| The Wine Growth Summit returns to Adelaide on June 25, offering businesses the opportunity practical steps in building stronger international export capabilities and bran positioning. |
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High input prices weigh on SA farmer sentiment
The latest quarterly Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey found that nationwide, farm sector sentiment is down, as farmers navigate elevated input costs and disrupted supply chains from tensions in the Middle East.
For the first time since October 2024, more farmers were negative than positive about the year ahead.
However, longer-term confidence in the outlook for the sector was higher, with an overall strengthened appetite among farmers to invest in the year ahead.
Business events return record economic boost
Adelaide Convention Centre has hosted 125 business events, including 78 major national and international conferences and exhibitions, generating a record $314 million for the state over the past year.
The events have brought in more than 62,255 visitors to Adelaide, with more key events scheduled for the future, including LambEx2026, an event for Australia’s red meat and sheep industry, and Inter-Noise 2026, an international business event on noise control engineering and acoustics.
“Business events are a powerful driver of economic, professional and social value for our state,” CEO of Adelaide Venue Management Martin Radcliffe said.
“Every event we secure enhances South Australia’s appeal to investors and brings global expertise that strengthens our key industry sectors.”
1414 Degrees secures partnership with space company
Thermal energy storage system manufacturer 1414 degrees has announced a partnership with Italian company Orbit Boy to test its SiNTL silicon-anode battery technology, which has space, satellite and rocket applications.
Orbit Boy is a space company based in Turin, Italy with space-proven technology that has been tested across approximately 500 launches over the past five years.
Under the new agreement, SiNTL based batteries would be tested in European satellite design laboratories for readiness for deployment into rocket and spacecraft power systems.
Orbit Boy would also assist in finding a satellite manufacturer to conduct live space testing of SiNTL based batteries on satellites in Earth’s orbit.
“SiNTL has now well and truly entered that race – the Orbit Boy agreement gives 14D a direct technical and commercial pathway into satellite power systems as well as joining the space race,” 1414 Degrees’ Executive Chairman Dr Kevin Moriarty said.
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