i3net (Illawarra Innovative Industry Network)

What i3net (Illawarra Innovative Industry Network) does

i3net (Illawarra Innovative Industry Network) is a non-profit, membership-based regional industry network founded in 2002 and headquartered at the Innovation Campus, Squires Way, North Wollongong, NSW, Australia. It operates as a connective platform for more than 110 member companies and corporate partners that collectively employ over 25,000 people across manufacturing, engineering, mining, mining services, defence, energy, waste, steel, rail and infrastructure sectors in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region of New South Wales. The organization is led by CEO Bianca Perry with a small staff (7 employees) supported by a Board of Directors chaired by Sam Boardman.

The organization's core offering is a curated regional business ecosystem rather than a software product. Its primary asset is a searchable online member directory cataloguing capabilities across more than 90 service categories, complemented by an event calendar anchored on the Annual Industry Showcase (drawing 200+ industry leaders), recurring industry breakfasts (160 attendees, often sold out), clean-energy site tours, defence capability briefings, and exclusive member visits. Distribution occurs through direct membership acquisition, corporate partnership tiers, media partnerships (WAVE FM, Illawarra Mercury, The Pulse), and a content-marketing website.

Revenue is generated through two streams: recurring membership fees from member companies and recurring corporate partnership/sponsorship fees from ~36 named partners spanning enterprise industrial names (BlueScope, QinetiQ, Squadron Energy, Endeavour Energy, South 32, BOC, Coregas), professional services firms (KPMG, Aon, Finlease, Commonwealth Bank), education (University of Wollongong, TAFE NSW), and government/quasi-government bodies (EnergyCo, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wollongong City Council, AusIndustry). Specific membership pricing is not publicly disclosed; event-based pricing has been observed (breakfast tickets A$130, Annual Showcase dinner tickets A$250+GST for members and A$500+GST for guests).

Name

i3net (Illawarra Innovative Industry Network)

Legal name

i3net | Illawarra Innovative Industry Network

Website

https://i3net.com.au

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

i3net is a non-profit membership-based industry network connecting 110+ member companies and corporate partners representing 25,000+ employees across heavy industry sectors in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region of NSW, Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical & Scientific Expert Networks (BPAHALAH)

Keywords

• Industry networking
• Business membership
• Regional industry network
• Corporate partnerships
• Industrial capability

Headquarters

HQ city

North Wollongong

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: i3net generates revenue through membership fees, providing businesses access to the network, directory listing, events, and business development opportunities.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners sponsor events and support the network in exchange for visibility and access to the business community.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

i3net is a membership-based industry network connecting businesses across manufacturing, engineering, mining, defence, energy, waste, steel, rail and infrastructure sectors in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region. It provides access to a member business directory, networking events (including an annual Industry Showcase and industry breakfasts), clean energy tours, defence capability briefings, and introductions between member companies and major contractors and project owners. The organization represents 110+ members and partners covering more than 25,000 employees and is funded through membership fees and corporate partnerships.

Product overview

i3net is not a software product company but rather a business networking organization (Illawarra Innovative Industry Network) that serves as a platform for developing business capability in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region. The organization connects over 110 member companies representing more than 25,000 employees across manufacturing, engineering, mining, mining services, defence, energy, waste, steel, rail, and infrastructure sectors. Their primary offering is a membership-based network that provides business directory access, industry events, networking opportunities, and connections to major project owners and contractors. Services include the annual Industry Showcase event, industry breakfasts, clean energy tours, defence capability briefings, and a comprehensive member directory searchable by service type.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• i3net Membership Annual membership providing businesses with access to the i3net network, member directory listing, events, business development opportunities, and introductions to major contractors and project owners in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region.
• i3net Business Directory Online searchable directory of 110+ member companies organised by service type, enabling businesses to find local suppliers and service providers across manufacturing, engineering, mining, defence, energy, infrastructure and other industrial sectors in the Illawarra region.
• Annual Industry Showcase Major annual in-person event bringing together 200+ industry leaders, featuring project updates, expo and strategic networking opportunities connecting members with major contractors and project owners. Dinner tickets priced at $250+GST for members and $500+GST for guests; breakfast tickets at $130.
• Industry Breakfast Events Regular sold-out networking events featuring industry speakers and economic updates, drawing approximately 160 attendees per event from across the Illawarra industrial community.
• Clean Energy Tours Exclusive member tours showcasing clean energy and renewable energy infrastructure projects in the Illawarra region, connecting members with renewable energy and decarbonisation project stakeholders.
• Defence Capability Briefings Member briefings focused on defence industry capabilities and opportunities in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region, including connections to defence contractors such as QinetiQ and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Defence Network.
• Corporate Partnership Program Sponsorship arrangement for major companies and government agencies to support i3net events and activities in exchange for visibility and access to the Illawarra business community, including firms such as BlueScope, KPMG, Endeavour Energy, Commonwealth Bank and Wollongong City Council.

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Endeavour EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSW electricity network operator servicing Sydney's Greater West, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, Illawarra and South Coast. Transitioning from traditional poles and wires to distributed system operator supporting clean energy future.
• Access Law GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal solutions provider serving Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions with accredited specialists in business law and commercial litigation.
• TAFE NSWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia's largest vocational education and training provider. Establishing Centres of Excellence in Manufacturing, including Heavy Manufacturing in the Illawarra.
• Southern Pumping SpecialistsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-owned pump industry company servicing the Illawarra since 1975, supplying pumps to steel, copper, mining, food, waste and municipal industries.
• Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Defence NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance between industry, local/state/commonwealth governments, education and professional organisations supporting defence industry development in the region.
• QinetiQcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal defence and security company with Australian operations. Investing $100M across innovation, infrastructure and workforce in FY21-24. Locations include Nowra Advanced Manufacturing Centre.
• Inside IndustrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnects industry with communities through heritage tours, educational programs and venue hire at Port Kembla. Showcases Illawarra's industrial history including steel production.
• SLR Consulting AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal environmental and advisory solutions provider with strong local Illawarra presence. Services across infrastructure, mining, energy, renewables and industrial sectors.
• ICN NSWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment-supported organisation helping suppliers and project owners connect through online database and industry consultants. Established 1984.
• Chilby PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional event photography service by 7th-generation Wollongong local. Provides photography for i3net events.
• RICE Fx AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoutique foreign exchange specialist founded by Wollongong-born brothers, offering competitive FX rates and hedging strategies for businesses.
• The PulseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIllawarra business and industry news publication providing local journalism and networking event coverage.
• WAVE FMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommercial radio station broadcasting to Illawarra region (96.5), part of Australian Radio Network (ARN). Deeply involved in local community.
• EnergyCocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSW Government agency coordinating renewable energy infrastructure development. Planning and delivering Renewable Energy Zones including Illawarra region.
• Beans MarketingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWollongong-based creative sales agency founded 2021, offering marketing strategy, brand development and digital marketing services.
• Department of Primary Industries and Regional DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSW Government department supporting primary industries and regional economies through agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining and regional development.
• Wollongong City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government Economic Development team promoting Wollongong as open for business, supporting investment attraction and sustainable economic growth.
• Squadron EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian-owned energy company accelerating decarbonisation. Constructing Port Kembla Energy Terminal and designing Australia's largest dual fuel power station.
• BlueScopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor steel manufacturer with heritage dating back to 1915. Iconic Australian company with global partnerships including Tata and Nippon Steel joint ventures.
• AusIndustrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian Government initiative connecting small and medium businesses with government support for over 25 years.
• Illawarra MercuryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDaily newspaper serving Illawarra since 1855, one of Australia's oldest newspapers and second oldest regional newspaper in NSW.
• IOH Injury & Occupational HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvider of workplace injury prevention, management and rehabilitation services across NSW since 1984.
• KPMGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal professional services firm with approximately 6,700 people in Australia including 400+ partners, providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services.
• University of WollongongcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch-intensive university with outstanding reputation. Part of international campus network, aiming for top 1% of world universities.
• BOCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading industrial gas supplier for South Pacific region as Linde company. Producing hydrogen for over 80 years with green hydrogen capabilities.
• South 32 (GM3)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetallurgical coal mining entity owned by Golden Energy and Resources (GEAR) and M Resources. Continuing Illawarra Metallurgical Coal's contribution to local steel industry.
• All TradesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-owned industrial workwear, safety and PPE business with over 30 years experience, leading independent in the market.
• CoregasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWesfarmers-owned Australian industrial gases company manufacturing and distributing gases throughout Australia and New Zealand.
• AonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia's largest insurance broker with local Wollongong presence, offering access to markets and national data analytics for business insurance.
• Ten AlphasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBulli-based filmmakers who created Invest Wollongong videos on Clean Energy. Longlisted for Oscars with film Mate.
• Total ToolsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralia's largest independent professional tools retailer with over 30 years of service. Recently opened Wollongong store.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/i3net

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about i3net (Illawarra Innovative Industry Network)