It’s taken months of planning, copious meetings, some rather bad coffee and collaboration between 30+ organisations, but I’m pleased to announce a new regional incubator has been launched to support innovative entrepreneurs and businesses.
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The new Regional Incubator Program is now open to Hunter and Central Coast-based innovators, which have the potential to grow rapidly. As part of the Incubator’s programming, participants attend regular industry workshops, business advisory and mentoring sessions, and local industry events. They also have the chance to engage with the region’s growing innovation community and access targeted resources and support services.
Unlike traditional incubator or accelerator programs, the Regional Incubator Program doesn’t require participants to relocate or hand over any equity. This means, if they start up or have an established innovative business in Singleton, they can remain in Singleton. The goal is simple, to show these businesses a path to success and growth, and create new jobs for the future.
The first group of 13 entrepreneurs and businesses to have already started the program include Elite Robotics, itsFOUND, Corridor Insights, Andrew Clark, Blue Tail, Henry Harding, Eduardo Estrada, ScrubIT App, Rescue Pod, Obelisk Systems, Optim Controls, The Cipher Set and Mobito.
The program is a collaboration between an impressive list of organisations including The Business Centre, AusIndustry, Newcastle City Council, Lake Macquarie City Council, NSW Department of Industry, New England Local Health District, CSIRO, Hunter Angels, TAFE NSW, The Lunaticks Society, Eighteen04, University of Newcastle, DANTIA, Newcastle NOW and many more.
It will culminate in a pitch/demo night at The Business Centre’s new collaborative space in July were participants will pitch to a panel of investors, and industry leaders.
Expressions of interest for the second intake are now open and close 1 August 2017. This program will start on 1 September and end 30 November 2017.
For more information, or anyone interested in applying or investing in the Regional Incubator Program,contact me at The Business Centre on 02 4925 7700 or email gordon@businesscentre.com.au.
In other news, The Lunaticks Society is calling for entries to the 2017 NEWi Awards for Digital Creativity. The closing date is 18 August. The NEWi Awards celebrates the work of regional innovators, creatives and entrepreneurs. Winners receive a thong (flip flop) shaped award, better known as “The NEWi”. In the past six years, the NEWi Awards has quickly grown to become the leading digital awards program for regional Australia.
With this success, The Lunaticks Society has signed a multi-year deal to host the NEWi Awards ceremony at Foghorn Brewhouse, Newcastle, and for the third year running Newcastle-based digital artist, Chuck Groth has been commissioned to design a digital display to light up the evening.
For more information visit thelunatickssociety.com.au
