Catalyst for business innovation | Whyalla News | Whyalla, SA

Posted on October 25, 2020 by Design in Design Innovation | 0 Comments

Potential entrepreneurs across the Upper Spencer Gulf with unique business ideas are being encouraged to sign up for the free University of South Australia business support program Venture Catalyst. The program is delivered by UniSA’s Innovation & Collaboration Centre (ICC) at the Whyalla Campus and is designed to support regional entrepreneurs through personalised workshops, mentoring, office space and a global network of industry experts. Whyalla resident and engineer Matthew Wauchope applied to the Venture Catalyst business support program in August 2019 hoping to grow his business, Eyre Power. After completing the program, Mr Wauchope says he has been able to refine and develop the business before commercialising and has been able to do this despite being an engineer and not a businessperson. “The Venture Catalyst program has given me an understanding of business fundamentals and the tools available. I’m an engineer, not a businessperson and the program has really helped bridge the gap for me,” he says. He says one of the highlights of the program has been access to experienced entrepreneurs like Richard Turner and Kirk Drage. Prior to founding LeapSheep, Drage spent 12 years with Microsoft based in Singapore as Head of Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Relations for Asia Pacific. More recently he worked with startups in Silicon Valley before returning to Adelaide in 2015 to launch LeapSheep, a platform to help transform the rate of success for startups. Founder of four successful startups Richard Turner was named Australian Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010. He is a specialist in industry disruption and is passionate about assisting companies that are driving change for the better. Both Entrepreneurs in Residence work alongside participants of the program to provide mentorship and guidance based on their experiences, as well as Drage’s LeapSheep Business Builder program. Mr Wauchope says this expertise combined with the other benefits of the program, made it a worthwhile experience for him and his business. “I would recommend other startups apply for the program,” he said. . “There are lots of benefits for businesses especially having access to mentors and technical professionals who have started their own businesses and can advise on delivering profitability.” The Innovation & Collaboration Centre based at UniSA Whyalla has a limited number of places remaining in the Venture Catalyst program which can be completed online or in person. This can be someone with an idea, or corporates who want to drive innovation teams developing new products and services. Applications for the free program will be accepted until 31 October 2020 via icc.unisa.edu.au. Since launching in August 2019, the regional Innovation & Collaboration Centre has supported 14 startups from the regions. The regional Innovation & Collaboration Centre is supported by the Australian Government through the Entrepreneurs’ Programme as well as the Whyalla City Council.

POSITIVE OUTCOME: The Venture Catalyst Program gave Brian Wauchope the tools he needed to refine and develop his business, Eyre Power.

Potential entrepreneurs across the Upper Spencer Gulf with unique business ideas are being encouraged to sign up for the free University of South Australia business support program Venture Catalyst.

The program is delivered by UniSA’s Innovation & Collaboration Centre (ICC) at the Whyalla Campus and is designed to support regional entrepreneurs through personalised workshops, mentoring, office space and a global network of industry experts.

After completing the program, Mr Wauchope says he has been able to refine and develop the business before commercialising and has been able to do this despite being an engineer and not a businessperson.

“The Venture Catalyst program has given me an understanding of business fundamentals and the tools available. I’m an engineer, not a businessperson and the program has really helped bridge the gap for me,” he says.

He says one of the highlights of the program has been access to experienced entrepreneurs like Richard Turner and Kirk Drage.

Prior to founding LeapSheep, Drage spent 12 years with Microsoft based in Singapore as Head of Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Relations for Asia Pacific.

More recently he worked with startups in Silicon Valley before returning to Adelaide in 2015 to launch LeapSheep, a platform to help transform the rate of success for startups.

Founder of four successful startups Richard Turner was named Australian Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010.

He is a specialist in industry disruption and is passionate about assisting companies that are driving change for the better.

Both Entrepreneurs in Residence work alongside participants of the program to provide mentorship and guidance based on their experiences, as well as Drage’s LeapSheep Business Builder program.

Mr Wauchope says this expertise combined with the other benefits of the program, made it a worthwhile experience for him and his business.

“I would recommend other startups apply for the program,” he said.

. “There are lots of benefits for businesses especially having access to mentors and technical professionals who have started their own businesses and can advise on delivering profitability.”

The Innovation & Collaboration Centre based at UniSA Whyalla has a limited number of places remaining in the Venture Catalyst program which can be completed online or in person.

Applications for the free program will be accepted until 31 October 2020 via icc.unisa.edu.au.

Since launching in August 2019, the regional Innovation & Collaboration Centre has supported 14 startups from the regions.

The regional Innovation & Collaboration Centre is supported by the Australian Government through the Entrepreneurs’ Programme as well as the Whyalla City Council.