Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about Thinking Critical South Australia?

Here are some of the most common questions and answers about the challenge.

What is Thinking Critical South Australia?

Thinking Critical South Australia is a global, online crowdsourcing challenge aimed at finding individuals and businesses involved in the processing and manufacture of critical minerals and attracting them to set up operations in South Australia.

Why has the Government of South Australia issued this challenge?

South Australia already boasts a strong and flourishing mining and exploration industry that includes critical minerals. Building on this strength we want to evolve our sector into a world leading critical minerals hub through developing our processing and manufacturing capabilities. We recognise that to do this we need to attract the best, most innovative individuals and businesses from across the world to South Australia, to complement our existing industry and help us build a rich, cross-collaborative ecosystem, and drive our growth.

Why South Australia and why now?

Transitioning from the downturn of the automotive industry, South Australia is fast developing its emerging strengths in advanced manufacturing, innovation and technology, medical sciences and renewable energy. The Government of South Australia is investing in the future and with world-class resources and an increasing demand for critical minerals, this is a unique time for South Australia to capitalise on its riches and establish world leading capabilities.

Why should I participate in Thinking Critical South Australia?

Thinking Critical South Australia is a unique opportunity for innovators across the world to gain the support and investment needed to grow your critical minerals business in the dynamic and prosperous South Australia.

By entering this challenge you will have the opportunity to share in a prize pool of $250,000+

Participants in this challenge will have the opportunity to gain significant exposure for their ideas and selected finalists will gain access to valuable incentives to support their entry into South Australia!

ENTRIES FOR THINKING CRITCAL SOUTH AUSTRALIA ARE NOW CLOSED. TO SEE THE SHORTLISTED TEAMS HEAD TO THE CHALLENGE PAGE FOR ROUND 2.

Is the challenge focused on a particular group of Critical Minerals?

The Government of South Australia are keen to hear from innovators working with any and all critical minerals. The challenge is not constrained to those critical minerals found and mined in South Australia. Rather, the Government sees the opportunity to leverage its investment in renewables and advanced technologies and its close proximity to all states in Australia and internationally, to create a critical minerals hub. The focus for this challenge is developing processing and manufacturing capabilities in critical minerals regardless of whether the minerals are found in the state.

Am I eligible to participate in Thinking Critical South Australia?

To participate, in this Thinking Critical South Australia you, your business or organisation will need to meet some basic eligibility criteria as follows: 

• Must be a registered, non-government business or non-for-profit organisation; 

• Currently or will be involved in the critical minerals value chain; and 

• Willing to register operations for your business in South Australia 

Companies throughout the value chain are encouraged to enter with Thinking Critical South Australia focussing this year on proposals specifically involved in processing and manufacturing.

For more information regarding eligibility requirements please visit the challenge page on the Unearthed website.

ENTRIES FOR THINKING CRITCAL SOUTH AUSTRALIA ARE NOW CLOSED. TO SEE THE SHORTLISTED TEAMS HEAD TO THE CHALLENGE PAGE FOR ROUND 2.

How do I participate in Thinking Critical South Australia?

To get involved in Thinking Critical South Australia register for the challenge via the Unearthed website and complete an online submission form for round 1. As part of your entry we’d like you to tell us about your ideas and proposal, and demonstrate how you would contribute to the South Australian critical minerals sector. You may also upload documentation to support your submission and proposal.

Round 1 opens on the 3rd November 2021 and submissions are due by the 28th February 2022. For more information check the challenge page on the Unearthed website when the challenge starts.

ENTRIES FOR THINKING CRITCAL SOUTH AUSTRALIA ARE NOW CLOSED. TO SEE THE SHORTLISTED TEAMS HEAD TO THE CHALLENGE PAGE FOR ROUND 2.

What happens to my round 1 submission?

All submissions received will be assessed by a panel of judges and a shortlist of innovators will be selected to progress to a second, invitation only round. Shortlisted teams will be asked to submit a more detailed proposal and plan for establishing operations in South Australia. Second round submissions will be assessed by our panel of judges and finalists selected to receive challenge incentives, with the top 5 finalists awarded a $50,000 cash prize.

How will you assess the submissions for Thinking Critical South Australia?

We have assembled a team of highly regarded judges and experts to help us review and assess the submissions for Thinking Critical South Australia. Our aim is to unearth those innovators and business who represent the best opportunity for us to develop critical minerals processing and manufacturing capabilities in South Australia. In assessing submissions we will focus on the innovative nature of the ideas and the proposal, the feasibility and the potential impact it will have on South Australia.

What are the challenge Prizes and Incentives?

By entering this challenge you will have the opportunity to share in a prize pool of $250,000+

Five (5) finalists will be selected to receive a cash prize of $50,000 each and valuable incentives provided by some of Australia's leading industry bodies and organisations including:

• Marketing and promotion support for your business

• Support to connect with potential customers and professional networking opportunities

• Introduction to the critical minerals ecosystem

• Support to set up your operations including office space, access to research facilities and more.

For a full list of Prizes and Incentives, please refer to the challenge Rules.

Am I required to relocate myself and my business to South Australia?

To be eligible to participate in Thinking Critical South Australia you must be willing to establish business operations in South Australia, which can be done in a number of ways including:

• Relocating your business to South Australia

• Establishing a satellite office or branch of your business in South Australia

Whilst the challenge does not specifically require you to relocate to South Australia, the challenge is aimed at fostering the state’s critical minerals eco-system and as such the incentives available to finalists are designed to support you to set up your operations, whether that be yourself or through employing a local team.

For international innovators who are thinking about a move to South Australia, there are a number of visa options your may like to consider and further information is available here.

What about my Intellectual Property (IP)?

We are issuing this challenge to find innovators and businesses that we can support to help grow our critical minerals sector and contribute to our state. We do not have any interest in owning or developing new IP as part of this challenge, and do not require you to share any of your IP as part of your submission. You can rest assured that at all times throughout the challenge, your IP remains with you.