FOOD
INNOVATION
PARTNERS
ABOUT US
“The Medici Effect suggests that the most groundbreaking ideas are found at the intersections of diverse fields, industries, disciplines, and cultures.” – The ‘Medici Effect’ by Frans Johansson
Food Innovation Partners plays a role as the “hub” of these intersections: as “Trusted Intermediary”; “Honest Broker”; “Integrator”.
A unique ability in matching companies with research opportunities by translating research outcomes into a commercial competitive advantage and back translating commercial opportunities into a research project.
OUR GOALS
To stimulate innovation through collaboration that is facilitated by leadership, communication, trust, openness and ethical behaviour.
Be the partner of choice for food industry players to grow your business.
Our company’s approach is to identify and foster connections across the agri-food industry that grow successful and valuable entrepreneurial food businesses by adding to owner and manager capabilities with targeted capital, outstanding industry expertise, extensive industry contacts and strong management discipline.
We pride ourselves on having:
- A national focus
- A broad industry perspective
- Science and commercial experience
- Strong relationship networks
- A flexible approach
OUR NETWORKS
We use our networks to collaborate and drive innovation for the Australian agri-food industry.
Producers → Processors → Ingredient Suppliers → Packaging and Distribution → Food Service and Retail
Industry Organisations
- Funding programs
- Skills development
- Syndicate projects
- Centres of excellence
R&D Providers
- Universities
- CSIRO
- CRCs and RDCs
- Private technology providers
- Consultants (knowledge and technical expertise)
Financial Providers
- Private equity
- Venture capital
- Private individuals
- Banks
Government
- State funding programs
- Federal funding programs
OUR SERVICES
Our client’s individual needs are defined by their interactions between different networks.
The outcomes of your involvement with Food Innovation Partners will be dependent on where your core business is within these networks.
For example we are able to:
- Match research opportunities with food companies through our ability to translate research outcomes into a commercial competitive advantage, and back translate commercial opportunities into a research project .
- Develop precompetitive, syndicate projects with multiple company partners in order to share the cost of research.
- Assist companies to access funding support programs – eg. through government (State or Federal), or via industry organisations.
- Assist companies in assessing equity through equity providers, venture capital or private individuals.
- Identify and facilitate the procurement of staff with the skills you require.
As our clients’ needs are flexible, we must be too by providing a wide range of services depending on the client’s request:
- Commercialisation of innovation
- Strategic advice and planning
- Assist in raising capital and equity
- Assist in mergers and acquisitions
- Innovation strategy development
- Technology reviews
- IP strategy
- Business development
- Business and strategy advise
- Project planning
- Research & project management
- Innovation project management
- Board director and adviser
Food Innovation Partners does not charge one standard fee for all work. Fees are based upon the type of work undertaken and the value added. Depending upon the nature of the work and the client’s preference, fees can be based upon hourly rates, fixed project costs, or a retainer.
OUR CLIENTS
We work with clients throughout industry, from small to large enterprises, government agencies and universities.
OUR PEOPLE
RUSSEL J RANKIN – MANAGING DIRECTOR
With more than thirty-five years of experience in the food and beverage industry in various senior commercial and research positions, Russel has an inherent ability to connect companies, research organisations, financial institutions and the government to create synergies and unlock opportunities. He also understands how to manage the innovation process and the steps required to commercialise innovative ideas.
Prior to starting Food Innovation Partners, Russel was General Manager of Innovation with the National Food Industry Strategy, a Federal Government initiative established to provide leadership and drive innovation in Australia’s food industry. He has also worked for CSIRO for more than 25 years in food research before venturing into the commercial arena.
Specialties: commercialisation, management of innovation, business management, business development, intellectual property protection, strategic planning, operational management, and science & technology.
Current Roles:
- Partner in the Future Farming Systems CRC
- Advisory Board Member, Queensland Robotics Cluster
- Advisory Board Member, Health Food Symmetry Ltd.
- Director, The Food Market Company (TFMC) Pty Ltd.
- Director, Freshly & Co Pty Ltd.
- Director, New Me Pty Ltd.
Past Roles:
- Special Advisor to the Board of ForPurpose Co (OzHarvest).
- Advisory Board, KFSU Pty Ltd.
- Advisory Board, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Robotic Vision (ACRV)
- Advisory Board, ARC Robotics Vision Centre of Excellence
- Member of Queensland Department of Agriculture’s committee to develop Queensland’s agriculture & food strategy
- Chairman of Industry Advisory Board, Queensland Department of Agriculture
- Chairman of Industry Advisory Board, Forestry & Fisheries’ Agriculture Robotics Program at QUT
- Mentor for Mars Food Accelerator ‘Seeds of Change’
- Member of Advisory Board for South Australian government’s Advanced Food Manufacturing Program
- Clean Technology’s Food & Foundries Investment Committee Member
- Board member of the Clean Technology Food & Foundries Investment Program, an initiative of AusIndustry in the Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education
CONTACT US
MOBILE: 0411 178 227
ABN: 45 125 270 064
EMAIL: russel@food-innovation.com.au
Food Innovation Partners 