Innovation in Regions: James Riggall at TEDxLaunceston

James Riggall considers the role of innovation in a regional economy, and presents a project which not only capitalises on one regions past, but leverages it to help create the regions future.

James is a Tasmanian entrepreneur who found his start as a teacher at the Human Interface Technology Laboratory (HITLab) in Launceston. During his five years there, he taught courses in virtual reality, augmented reality, entrepreneurship and video game design.

James has worked extensively with international lecturers, including the founder of the original HITLab in Seattle, Professor Thomas Furness. James also helped facilitate many guest lectures from international speakers, including staff from Microsoft, Valve Software and Gas Powered Games, as well as numerous independent video game developers.

James left the HITLab in 2012 to establish Bitlink, a technology consultancy and software development house. As consultants, the Bitlink team help Tasmanian businesses get the most out of technology and build success in the digital economy. As developers, the team build mixed reality and data visualisation applications for a variety of platforms.

James serves as a director of Startup Tasmania, a not-for-profit organisation and networking group for Tasmanian entrepreneurs. James is also one of the key proponents of the Macquarie House Innovation Hub, an initiative which aims to convert an iconic historic building in Launceston into a coworking space for Tasmanian innovators and entrepreneurs.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)