Benefitting Society/Winners category

Supporting regional entrepreneurship

Designed in partnership with regional entrepreneurs and University of Wollongong’s iAccelerate program, the iAccelerate RISE program supported new and existing regional businesses with practical workshops and a network of regional and international experts.  Alongside the delivery of the RISE program, a First Nations Entrepreneurship program was developed and delivered in partnership with Indigenous partners.  An international conference was then held in the Bega Valley bringing together participants from the RISE program, RISE First Nations Program with participants from government, community and those in roles supporting entrepreneurship.

RISE consists of workshops on:

  • The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Throughout the program, entrepreneurs are encouraged to address and implement SDGs across their business
  • Lean Methodology to optimise resources, people, effort and energy
  • Developing new products and services
  • Learning to pitch for and secure investment/customers/opportunities to ensure a solid foundation for the future
  • Building and utilising networks of like-minded people, to develop their ideas

Each week, participants spent 2-3 hours working on their business at their own pace and 3 hours working together with an expert facilitator. After the program, participants participated in a Pitch Night where they delivered a 3 minute pitch they can use to attract paying customers, investors, and media and showcase their business with the community.

RISE supports businesses and ideas, including:

  • Existing businesses looking to revitalise their strategy to launch new products or services
  • Start-up businesses looking to turn an idea into a business
  • Not-for-profits and social enterprises looking to make a financially sustainable impact in their community.
RISE

Environmental and social benefits

iAccelerate’s RISE program, supported companies in a range of sectors that include tech, food, tourism, hardware, energy, AI, robotics, education technology, health and wellbeing, and social enterprises. Benefits arising from the program can be categorised into three main outcomes:

Leaving no-one behind

The gap of disadvantage between building a start-up, scale-up or small and medium sized business (SME) in a city compared to in the regions is well-known. RISE democratises access to entrepreneurship support that has historically only existed in larger cities.

“The RISE program was very beneficial to my start-up and I highly recommend the course for those starting a new business or have an established business. It enabled me to refine the direction of the business and has taught me skills that will continue to add value – such as the importance of continually interviewing customers so the business can grow with their needs.” Testimonial from Fiona McCuaig, Walawaani Way Bodalla

Building capacity and confidence to use tools for risk-taking

In the regions and communities involved in the RISE program, it has enabled businesses and entrepreneurs to test their ideas using research informed and evidence-based practices. It has supported them with hands-on expertise, connections and Indigenous knowledges, to ensure success and sustainable growth to support their community.

“It allowed me to step outside my usual circle of contacts… I left feeling that it is important for me to persevere and complete the task ahead…I have come away with great ideas, renewed enthusiasm and awe at the wonderful ways so many entrepreneurs are making a difference in our Communities.” Testimonial from Nicolette Dixon, Roger Knox Music Manager (First Nations Entrepreneur).

“Understanding some basic structures to build a longer term business model around. RISE broke down this area into simple pieces that I was able to apply to my business and put them back together into a model that gives a much clearer path to where we want to head and how to get there.” Tim Wimborne, Braidwood Foods.

Sense of belonging and empowerment

“It was an excellent opportunity to network with like-minded individuals and be inspired by your work and how you support and engage regional entrepreneurs and boost entrepreneurial spirit in your communities.” Testimonial from Magdalena Jabłońska, President of the Foundation for Technology Entrepreneurship and Head of European Space Agency Business Incubator Centre.

 “Our big dream is to open a multicultural social enterprise to help migrants and refugees learn about Australian workplace culture, to share their food and connect with the wider community. The RISE program helped us to put our idea into business and to break down the big dream into small achievable projects and to be clear about our viable products and potential customers.” Testimonial from Yvi Henderson, MAGIC DiversiTEA

Leadership and engagement

The RISE Program is a co-creation and learning solution dedicated to achieving change that benefits people, planet, and partnerships. The program is scaffolded, practical and informed by best practice research. RISE empowers businesses and entrepreneurs to take action to benefit their communities. Commitment to sustainable development is embedded into the workshops, with each attendee applying an SDG lens to their business proposition. How they align their company with the SDGs helps to inform the ethos and values that the businesses and start-ups must consider, providing the foundation of their company moving forward.

Significance to the sector

RISE is both a program and a community of entrepreneurs. This unique pre-accelerator program provides a robust model of education and mentoring with unparalleled access to one of the world’s most innovative young research universities.

iAccelerate’s RISE is unique in the Australian start-up marketplace. Suited to individuals or early-stage businesses seeking support to validate their business idea and ramp up to the next stage to develop capacity to get local products or services to market faster, find and grow audiences and create a culture of long-term, sustainable innovation.  The RISE program is invested in the long-term success of its participants with the aim of continued grow to contribute to the local economy and community, developing our regions reputation as thriving ecosystems of businesses looking to have a positive impact on the world.

Wider societal impact

iAccelerate has a significant regional footprint, delivering education and support programs beyond the Illawarra to regions including the South Coast and Southern Highlands, and partners with four Aboriginal Land Councils.

iAccelerate is supporting bushfire-devastated communities with the delivery of the RISE Program to grow entrepreneurship and resilience in regions including Bega Valley Shire, Eurobodalla Shire, Goulburn Mulwaree, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Snowy Monaro, Wingecarribee Shire, and alongside First Nations communities in the Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Tweed Byron, and Tamworth areas.

UOW and iAccelerate activities are aligned with the National Innovation and Science Agenda (NISA), in particular encouraging start-ups in regional areas, connecting researchers with SMEs, providing opportunities for women in STEM, and connecting businesses internationally.

“As a UOW regional campus manager and vice-president of SPERA – The Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia, I know how vital it is for rural people to connect. The RISE program led by the iAccelerate team enabled rural Australians in Bushfire affected areas to identify themselves not only as business owners or idea-holders, but as Entrepreneurs. I was particularly impressed by the focus on First Nations knowledges and the culminating RISE summit held in Bega NSW was a joy to attend. Over 150 people attended from businesses and councils all over NSW and the spirit was positive and empowering for all involved.” Testimonial from Sam Avitaia, Campus Manager, UOW Bega Valley

Learner/Graduate employer impact

iAccelerate RISE was not just a program, it was a collaborative effort between government, the community, entrepreneurs, and business owners to create a better future for the bushfire-affected regions of NSW.

The program delivered education programs to support 90 of the most promising entrepreneurs and business owners in bushfire-affected areas to create 300 new jobs. The United Nations SDGs played an active role in advancing and championing environmental, cultural, social, and economic developments in regional communities by providing resources and support for local entrepreneurs who were working on sustainable and socially responsible ideas and business models.

The culmination of the program was the Regional Innovation Summit for Entrepreneurs (RISE), which took place from 29-31 March 2023. The Summit brought together entrepreneurs, three levels of government, regional stakeholders, industry leaders and investors for three days in the Bega Valley. The event highlighted regional entrepreneurs, regional economic development, showcased First Nations business perspectives, and inspired energy and enthusiasm for regional ecosystems. Over 150 people attended the RISE summit, making it a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs and business owners to connect and exchange ideas. It was the genesis of an ecosystem to support regional entrepreneurs, bring together diverse perspectives, fostering collaboration and creating a fertile environment for ideas and knowledge exchange to create new opportunities in the regions.

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Top 3 learnings

  • A sense of community creates a fertile environment for ideas and knowledge exchange.
  • The RISE program builds resilience in the community and gives hope for a brighter future.
  • Diverse perspectives with a shared purpose made a real difference.

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Benefitting Society/Winners category

Supporting regional entrepreneurship

Designed in partnership with regional entrepreneurs and University of Wollongong’s iAccelerate program, the iAccelerate RISE program supported new and existing regional businesses with practical workshops and a network of regional and international experts.  Alongside the delivery of the RISE program, a First Nations Entrepreneurship program was developed and delivered in partnership with Indigenous partners.  An international conference was then held in the Bega Valley bringing together participants from the RISE program, RISE First Nations Program with participants from government, community and those in roles supporting entrepreneurship.

RISE consists of workshops on:

  • The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Throughout the program, entrepreneurs are encouraged to address and implement SDGs across their business
  • Lean Methodology to optimise resources, people, effort and energy
  • Developing new products and services
  • Learning to pitch for and secure investment/customers/opportunities to ensure a solid foundation for the future
  • Building and utilising networks of like-minded people, to develop their ideas

Each week, participants spent 2-3 hours working on their business at their own pace and 3 hours working together with an expert facilitator. After the program, participants participated in a Pitch Night where they delivered a 3 minute pitch they can use to attract paying customers, investors, and media and showcase their business with the community.

RISE supports businesses and ideas, including:

  • Existing businesses looking to revitalise their strategy to launch new products or services
  • Start-up businesses looking to turn an idea into a business
  • Not-for-profits and social enterprises looking to make a financially sustainable impact in their community.

Top 3 learnings

  • A sense of community creates a fertile environment for ideas and knowledge exchange.
  • The RISE program builds resilience in the community and gives hope for a brighter future.
  • Diverse perspectives with a shared purpose made a real difference.

Environmental and social benefits

iAccelerate’s RISE program, supported companies in a range of sectors that include tech, food, tourism, hardware, energy, AI, robotics, education technology, health and wellbeing, and social enterprises. Benefits arising from the program can be categorised into three main outcomes:

Leaving no-one behind

The gap of disadvantage between building a start-up, scale-up or small and medium sized business (SME) in a city compared to in the regions is well-known. RISE democratises access to entrepreneurship support that has historically only existed in larger cities.

“The RISE program was very beneficial to my start-up and I highly recommend the course for those starting a new business or have an established business. It enabled me to refine the direction of the business and has taught me skills that will continue to add value – such as the importance of continually interviewing customers so the business can grow with their needs.” Testimonial from Fiona McCuaig, Walawaani Way Bodalla

Building capacity and confidence to use tools for risk-taking

In the regions and communities involved in the RISE program, it has enabled businesses and entrepreneurs to test their ideas using research informed and evidence-based practices. It has supported them with hands-on expertise, connections and Indigenous knowledges, to ensure success and sustainable growth to support their community.

“It allowed me to step outside my usual circle of contacts… I left feeling that it is important for me to persevere and complete the task ahead…I have come away with great ideas, renewed enthusiasm and awe at the wonderful ways so many entrepreneurs are making a difference in our Communities.” Testimonial from Nicolette Dixon, Roger Knox Music Manager (First Nations Entrepreneur).

“Understanding some basic structures to build a longer term business model around. RISE broke down this area into simple pieces that I was able to apply to my business and put them back together into a model that gives a much clearer path to where we want to head and how to get there.” Tim Wimborne, Braidwood Foods.

Sense of belonging and empowerment

“It was an excellent opportunity to network with like-minded individuals and be inspired by your work and how you support and engage regional entrepreneurs and boost entrepreneurial spirit in your communities.” Testimonial from Magdalena Jabłońska, President of the Foundation for Technology Entrepreneurship and Head of European Space Agency Business Incubator Centre.

 “Our big dream is to open a multicultural social enterprise to help migrants and refugees learn about Australian workplace culture, to share their food and connect with the wider community. The RISE program helped us to put our idea into business and to break down the big dream into small achievable projects and to be clear about our viable products and potential customers.” Testimonial from Yvi Henderson, MAGIC DiversiTEA

Leadership and engagement

The RISE Program is a co-creation and learning solution dedicated to achieving change that benefits people, planet, and partnerships. The program is scaffolded, practical and informed by best practice research. RISE empowers businesses and entrepreneurs to take action to benefit their communities. Commitment to sustainable development is embedded into the workshops, with each attendee applying an SDG lens to their business proposition. How they align their company with the SDGs helps to inform the ethos and values that the businesses and start-ups must consider, providing the foundation of their company moving forward.

Significance to the sector

RISE is both a program and a community of entrepreneurs. This unique pre-accelerator program provides a robust model of education and mentoring with unparalleled access to one of the world’s most innovative young research universities.

iAccelerate’s RISE is unique in the Australian start-up marketplace. Suited to individuals or early-stage businesses seeking support to validate their business idea and ramp up to the next stage to develop capacity to get local products or services to market faster, find and grow audiences and create a culture of long-term, sustainable innovation.  The RISE program is invested in the long-term success of its participants with the aim of continued grow to contribute to the local economy and community, developing our regions reputation as thriving ecosystems of businesses looking to have a positive impact on the world.

Wider societal impact

iAccelerate has a significant regional footprint, delivering education and support programs beyond the Illawarra to regions including the South Coast and Southern Highlands, and partners with four Aboriginal Land Councils.

iAccelerate is supporting bushfire-devastated communities with the delivery of the RISE Program to grow entrepreneurship and resilience in regions including Bega Valley Shire, Eurobodalla Shire, Goulburn Mulwaree, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Snowy Monaro, Wingecarribee Shire, and alongside First Nations communities in the Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Tweed Byron, and Tamworth areas.

UOW and iAccelerate activities are aligned with the National Innovation and Science Agenda (NISA), in particular encouraging start-ups in regional areas, connecting researchers with SMEs, providing opportunities for women in STEM, and connecting businesses internationally.

“As a UOW regional campus manager and vice-president of SPERA – The Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia, I know how vital it is for rural people to connect. The RISE program led by the iAccelerate team enabled rural Australians in Bushfire affected areas to identify themselves not only as business owners or idea-holders, but as Entrepreneurs. I was particularly impressed by the focus on First Nations knowledges and the culminating RISE summit held in Bega NSW was a joy to attend. Over 150 people attended from businesses and councils all over NSW and the spirit was positive and empowering for all involved.” Testimonial from Sam Avitaia, Campus Manager, UOW Bega Valley

Learner/Graduate employer impact

iAccelerate RISE was not just a program, it was a collaborative effort between government, the community, entrepreneurs, and business owners to create a better future for the bushfire-affected regions of NSW.

The program delivered education programs to support 90 of the most promising entrepreneurs and business owners in bushfire-affected areas to create 300 new jobs. The United Nations SDGs played an active role in advancing and championing environmental, cultural, social, and economic developments in regional communities by providing resources and support for local entrepreneurs who were working on sustainable and socially responsible ideas and business models.

The culmination of the program was the Regional Innovation Summit for Entrepreneurs (RISE), which took place from 29-31 March 2023. The Summit brought together entrepreneurs, three levels of government, regional stakeholders, industry leaders and investors for three days in the Bega Valley. The event highlighted regional entrepreneurs, regional economic development, showcased First Nations business perspectives, and inspired energy and enthusiasm for regional ecosystems. Over 150 people attended the RISE summit, making it a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs and business owners to connect and exchange ideas. It was the genesis of an ecosystem to support regional entrepreneurs, bring together diverse perspectives, fostering collaboration and creating a fertile environment for ideas and knowledge exchange to create new opportunities in the regions.

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