On Wednesday 26 October, a reciprocal exchange agreement was signed between CORE Resources Innovation Hub and Caterpillar Ventures. This is the first step for CORE in establishing a network of global resources tech hubs. Both organisations have the shared objective of connecting startup communities and associated corporate networks to international opportunities, and a mutual interest in identifying these opportunities, whilst leveraging common strengths in resources and energy.
The agreement enables members from both innovation communities to access space at one another’s hubs in Perth, Western Australia and San Francisco, USA. It also sets out additional support between their online member communities via various organisational and social media.
CORE launched on 5 October 2016 providing a co-working, collaboration and innovation hub focused on solving global resources and energy sector challenges through digital technologies. Caterpillar also launched their San Francisco office this year to better engage with technology startups focused on construction, mining and transportation.
Tamryn Barker, CORE CEO, is delighted to announce the partnership and is excited about invigorating a global vision for Australia in resources technology and innovation, focused on the value being delivered by disruptive technologies.
“CORE and Caterpillar Ventures both provide an environment that fosters connections between technology startups and industry professionals. This agreement aligns with our strengths and puts into practice a vision for Australia as a global resources technology hub. We are also excited about connecting with other international resources and energy hubs in the future, such as Houston and Santiago,” she said.
Roberto Ortega, Innovation Manager at Caterpillar, said that he is enthusiastic about the opportunities that will arise from the agreement. “We’re excited about finding solutions to problems in the global mining, construction, energy and transportation sectors, and increasing our access to the pool of talent, energy and imagination out there,” he said.
CORE’s industry foundation partners include NERA, METS Ignited, Austmine, WesTrac, Unearthed and Spacecubed, who all have innovation teams in the space other operators, suppliers, mid-tiers, small and medium sized enterprises and technology startups across the sector. WesTrac, who have part of their technology team based in CORE, is one of the largest authorised Caterpillar dealers in the world. Being in CORE allows the team to be surrounded by innovation, startup mentality and people, and to be part of the wider innovation and technology community.