SPOTLIGHT: Setting up SMEs for success, with Downer Defence’s Ed Groch and Ranjan Rajagopal

Joint-capabilities
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By: Robyn Tongol

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Ed Groch - Indigenous Engagement Manager, and Ranjan Rajagopal - General Manager Commercial at Downer Defence, join host Liam Garman to unpack Downer Defence’s SME incubation model and the hard lessons learned that have helped shape it.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Ed Groch - Indigenous Engagement Manager, and Ranjan Rajagopal - General Manager Commercial at Downer Defence, join host Liam Garman to unpack Downer Defence’s SME incubation model and the hard lessons learned that have helped shape it.


This episode dives deep into the unique challenges that Indigenous businesses face entering defence industry, and provides some insights on the barriers that face all SMEs. From their own experiences and lessons learned, Ed and Ranjan discuss the challenges, the learnings and the continual refinements that have been instrumental in achieving some great successes for Downer Defence’s SME supply chain. Addressing the phases that defence industry SMEs encounter throughout their business growth cycle, the trio then discuss how other primes and defence businesses can employ the SME incubation model to support the sustainable growth of Australia’s defence ecosystem.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: PODCAST: Black Hawk capability, B-21 bomber debate, and upcoming budget
Episode 10: PODCAST: Supermarine Spitfire, warbird aviation and modern aerial innovation, with Keith Russell
Episode 9: PODCAST: Bushmaster PMV funding, long-range strike expansion and cyber defence
Episode 8: PODCAST: Space Command workforce expansion and operationalising the domain, with Major General Gregory Novak AM
Episode 7: CONTESTED GROUND: The Defence budget, inflationary pressures and domestic information warfare
Episode 6: SPOTLIGHT: Maritime sustainment, mission-ready maintenance and resilient fleet capability, with Serco’s David Astbury
Episode 5: PODCAST: Anzac Day reflections, veteran support reform and ADF workforce trends, with Minister Matt Keogh
Episode 4: SPOTLIGHT: Open-source growth across defence and national security, with SUSE CMO Margaret Dawson
Episode 3: CONTESTED GROUND: Shipping, supply chains and Australia’s exposure to a volatile system, with UNSW’s Professor Douglas Guilfoyle and Associate Professor Daniel Prior
Episode 2: PODCAST: Military drone racing, FPV integration and warfare trends, with Wing Commander Keirin Joyce