Image Credit: Consunet
Consunet, an Adelaide-based defence services company, recently achieved a significant milestone with the successful completion of a $61 million electromagnetic battle management project for the Australian Defence Force. The project marked one of the most substantial achievements in the company’s 25-year history, positioning Consunet as a prominent player in the defence sector.
The company’s CEO, Kuba Kabacinski, who was recently named one of 22 finalists in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, played a pivotal role in securing the project against considerable international competition.
In 2022, Consunet made a strategic bid against six multinational companies and emerged as the only Australian-owned and small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) contender.
This decision required a substantial investment of $6 million from Consunet to demonstrate its capabilities and readiness to undertake such a high-stakes project. Despite the challenges posed by the timing of COVID-19, Consunet’s bold move paid off, leading to its success in winning and executing the project.
Under Kabacinski’s leadership, Consunet has demonstrated that Australian companies can deliver significant defence projects on time and within budget, meeting high standards of quality and performance. The successful delivery of this project not only enhanced Consunet’s reputation but also significantly expanded the company’s operational scale. Kabacinski’s achievements have earned him a spot as a national finalist in this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards.
Established as a small web development business, which Kabacinski purchased for just $200 during his IT studies at Flinders University, Consunet has evolved significantly over the years. Following the dot-com bubble burst, Kabacinski steered the company towards the defence industry. Consunet has carved out a niche in electromagnetic warfare and spectrum management, aiming to innovate in wireless communication and autonomous systems across various sectors, including telecommunications.
Today, Consunet stands on the brink of being designated as a large company by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), as it approaches high annual revenues.
Earlier this year, the company secured funding from the state government’s Global Expansion Program, supporting its plans to market its proprietary technologies internationally, initially focusing on the defence sector before targeting commercial markets.
The drive towards international expansion aligns with the current global geostrategic tensions, underlining the importance of advanced defence capabilities. Consunet has also collaborated with industry giants such as Lockheed Martin to develop AI-enhanced technologies to improve situational awareness for the Royal Australian Air Force, as part of the AIR6500 program.
Kabacinski views the AUKUS deal, particularly its focus on electromagnetic warfare, as a potential facilitator for long-term growth opportunities for Consunet. As the company explores further growth prospects within an often fluctuating defence industry work pipeline, the challenges remain substantial, especially for SMEs with limited capital reserves compared to multinational corporations. Kabacinski emphasises the need for continued dialogue and alignment with national defence priorities and international standards to ensure that companies like Consunet can navigate the complexities of the industry effectively.
The celebration of Consunet’s achievements and strategic initiatives marks a noteworthy chapter in the company’s history as it navigates its future in the defence industry and beyond.
For the company website, click here.
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Australian national finalists:
Emerging Category:
- Tyson Gundersen, Bureau Booths (SA)
- Steve Dresler, What Ability
- David McGiveron and Bianca Tarrant, Our Cow
- Sam Gordon, Australian Property Scout
Industry Category:
- Alex Babich and Dani Atkins, Kulani Kinis
- Grahame Aston, PPC Moulding Services
- Jason Daniel, LSKD
- Laurent Boillon, Laurent Bakery
- Ruby Wang, Nudie Glow
- Grant Johnston, Westview Group
Services Category:
- Kuba Kabacinski, Consunet (SA)
- Stella Petrou Concha, Reo Group & HiveQ (SA)
- Chris Behrenbruch, Telix Pharmaceuticals
- Matthew Rear, PPS Water Group
Technology Category:
- Anthony Baum, Tiimely
- Ben Thompson, Employment Hero
- Edward Adler, Pay.com.au
- Paul Anderson, Orthocell
Social Impact:
- Jason Trethowan, headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation
- Tim Jarvis AM, The ForkTree Project (SA)
- Deborah Thomas, Camp Quality
- Ashley van de Velde, LifeFlight
More News
