Hills Limited, the makers of the iconic Hills Hoist, are on the hunt for Australia’s next big invention, as they focus their business on next generation technology solutions.

Hills today called on Australian innovators and entrepreneurs to submit their proposals for ideas, projects and start-ups that can be funded, developed and commercialised in Hills’ Adelaide based Innovation Centre.

Hills chief technology officer, Leica Ison, says the Pitch Day round would help identify the best talent and brightest ideas and bring their products or services to market.

“Hills has always passionately believed and backed Australia’s innovation potential. Through Pitch Day, we are looking to identify and support the very best talent that Australia has to offer,” she says.

“Start-ups will be able to access funding, business assistance and the use of our Innovation Centre in Adelaide to accelerate the development of their products and services.

“Ultimately, what we want to do is help foster a really vibrant start-up culture and grow a pipeline of technology-driven products and services.”

Innovation minister Susan Close said support for home-grown entrepreneurs in the early stages of developing their ideas is essential for growing a new generation of businesses.

“The State Government’s support for the Hills Innovation Centre is about creating a platform for South Australians to pitch their ideas so they can take them to the next level of development,” she says.

The Innovation Centre is already supporting its first major project – a new nurse call handset for the growing number of hospital patients and aged care residents living with arthritis, with a further three projects in the pipeline this year.

Applications for Pitch Day open on Monday 8 September and close on 14 October 2014.

Hills is targeting its support towards projects that fit into the following priority areas:

• health & aged care or assisted living
• lifestyle & well-being (wearable devices)
• security & safety
• data analytics
• automation & smart home
• communications & mobility

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend the Hills Pitch Day in Adelaide on 12 November 2014, where they will be given the opportunity to present their ideas in front of a panel of commercial and academic experts.