Dr Chris Downs. Image: Megan Pope
14 June 2023
Welcome!
It feels like only yesterday that the Federal Government announced The University of Queensland (UQ) would host Australia’s Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA).
In the last 12 months, we have been working hard building our research team, developing capability across the research participants UQ, QUT and UniSQ, and defining the first projects.
It certainly feels like we are living up to our mantra of ‘science at start-up speed’!
FaBA is an Australia-wide initiative and we have attracted Foundation Participants from across the country. Nourish Ingredients, Eden Brew, v2food, All G Foods and Gelita represent a cross-section of the offering available through FaBA and I look forward to what these collaborations can achieve.
We like to say that ‘industry’s success is FaBA’s success’. Our KPIs are closely aligned to what success looks like for industry, we are focused on skills development and sector growth. Our goals are ambitious – investing in new skills, developing new ingredients and producing new food and beverage products with our participating companies. We believe that FaBA has the team in place to help our participants work towards these goals.
Earlier this week, the FaBA Project Investment Committee met for the first time. Chaired by Anne-Marie Birkill, this Committee undertakes a vital governance role for FaBA and is responsible for investment advice and approvals for key FaBA projects.
We look forward to working with you as FaBA makes industry-focused and performance-based investments in Australia’s food and beverage sector.
I am confident of many ‘FaBA-ulous’ initiatives and projects into the future.
Chris Downs
FaBA Director