Western Sydney University’s Launch Pad Technology Business Incubator has announced Jamie Pride as Chief Entrepreneur in Residence to help drive Launch Pad’s aspiration to design and deliver Australia’s most advanced tech start-up and scale-up support ecosystem.
With over 20 years’ leadership and consulting experience with international technology and digital media organisations, Jamie will guide the development of technology-based start-up companies in Greater Western Sydney. He will work with founders to connect them with commercialisation and technology support for research and development that Launch Pad is providing through its accelerator and incubation programs that are delivered both face to face and online.
“I’m proud to join Launch Pad in its effort to drive entrepreneurship and innovation in such a diverse and fast-growing region,” said Mr Pride.
“The range of infrastructure investments and industry development projects across Western Sydney is amazing and makes it the place to grow our tech sector.”
A former CEO of realestate.com.au, best-selling author of books including ‘Unicorn Tears’ and Partner of Organisational Strategy at global consulting firm Korn Ferry, Mr Pride has previously worked with Launch Pad to deliver the highly successful Landcom Urban Futures Property Industry Technology Accelerator.
“With the platform of Western Sydney University, its expansive campus footprint across the region and range of key partners, we can fully harness the innovation capacity of Western Sydney and deliver quality support to entrepreneurs in the region. This is really important for Sydney as a global technology hub overall as it means we are not just focused on supporting entrepreneurs in the Sydney CBD, but realising the full potential of innovation across all of Greater Sydney,” he said.
“The facilities we have available through Launch Pad are incredible and with a growing team of specialist business mentors and technology experts available to support our companies, we are creating what I believe will be Australia’s best place to support high growth technology companies.”
Key for Jamie as a first challenge will be Launch Pad’s new SydWest Global Connections Tech Start-up accelerator program starting February 2021. With funding support from the Australian Government’s Entrepreneurs programme, this accelerator will focus on supporting start-ups from diverse backgrounds. More than 20 start-up founders will take part in the intensive six-month program next year receiving a range of commercialisation and technology support for research and development.
Western Sydney University’s Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Don Wright, welcomed the appointment.
“Western Sydney has the potential to significantly contribute to Sydney’s capacity and reputation as a global tech hub. Our region has incredible levels of infrastructure investment, a massive industry base — including over 9,000 manufacturing companies, and a range of education and innovation precincts in key locations such as Westmead, Liverpool, Penrith and Campbelltown,” said Mr Wright.
“These assets are the ingredients to build our innovation ecosystem in Western Sydney and appointing Jamie is a key step to creating what we plan as a world-leading support infrastructure for tech start-up and scale-up companies.”
For more information about the SydWest Global Connections Tech Start-up accelerator program, please visit the Launch Pad website.
This article was originally published on the Western Sydney University website.