Here’s Launch Pad’s update on what’s been happening in the Western Sydney Innovation and Technology Community. Know someone else who might benefit from this? Share this link | They can also subscribe here.
Get the latest news from Launch Pad and the Western Sydney Innovation and Technology Community.
Launch Pad is busy planning the move of our Parramatta Centre into our new home, the Parramatta Engineering Innovation Hub. We’ve been running and participating in lots more events and workshops over the past months. Take a look at some of the programs we’ve been running and find out how you can be involved. Keep reading this newsletter to find out more.
Launch Pad Update
Industry forum prioritises commercialisation of innovative ideas in NSW
Western Sydney University hosted, in partnership with the Hon Gabrielle Upton MP, the industry forum, Accelerating Research and Innovation in NSW, at its Parramatta City campus. Western Sydney University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO, joined a panel of experts chaired by NUW Alliance Chief Operating Officer, Jane Reynaud. The panel also included Dr Sarah Hill (CEO of Western Sydney Parkland Authority), Professor Emma Johnston (Dean of Science, UNSW) and Rebecca Pham (Accelerator Manager, Launch Pad at Western Sydney University). To find out more visit the Accelerating R&D in NSW Action Plan website.
Practical Completion of the University’s Parramatta Engineering Innovation Hub was achieved
The new vertical campus reflects the University’s commitment to high level performance, technological ability, and environmental sustainability with integrated education and research facilities. The Parramatta Engineering Innovation Hub will serve as an education and research facility for the new joint Engineering program with UNSW commencing in 2022, together with Western programs in engineering, design, architecture, and entrepreneurship. The location will be the new Parramatta base for Launch Pad.
Kicking off Innovate Parramatta 2021
Parramatta’s incubators, businesses, and universities are driving the growth of Parramatta’s entrepreneurial community and creating new opportunities for the City’s emerging tech and innovation-driven businesses.
Our Chief Entrepreneur in Residence, Jamie Pride facilitated a panel with two of our startups, KartaSoft and Quantal Bioscience, on their experience of building successful businesses locally in Parramatta.
Launch Pad Western 4.0 – Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Cluster expanding
At the recent Western 4.0 Breakfast, guest speaker, Brett Farrell talked about Cyber Security and the legal obligations that a business has to protect its data and clients details. The group welcomed three new members including Wellman Packaging, Advanced Metal Solutions and Chess Engineering. Western 4.0’s regular breakfasts are proving to be very popular, encouraging the sharing of ideas and providing a great “think tank” for innovative manufacturers in Western Sydney.
SydWest Monthly Open Pitch Event Featuring Guest Speaker, Michelle Bloom
Join us at our Launch Pad monthly get-together for a day of pitching, networking and hear from guest speaker, Michelle Bloom. This event is open to all Launch Pad community members. Register to join us virtually.
Our Students, Startups & SMEs 🚀
Results of GISU (Guangzhou International Sister University) Urban Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. A total of 33 entries were received for this year’s competition. This year was the first year that Western Sydney University students participated in the Competition. Congratulations to student startups, ‘Klnteract’ and ‘Cycles’ for being selected as finalists.t
| Congratulations to Pen CS, a WSU participant in the NSW Government’s Innovation District Challenge for being a local winner of Challenge One: Health and Wellbeing. The Innovation Districts Challenges are designed to accelerate the commercialisation of research products that address the impacts of COVID-19 by businesses in partnership with universities and CSIRO in NSW. Read more about the challenge and winners here. |
Launch Pad startup, Kartasoft, has been featured on the Balance The Grind website, speaking all about his experiences balancing the grind of being a co-founder and chief revenue officer at Kartasoft. Read the full article here
Western Sydney University has received over $500,000 in new funding to develop a state-of-the-art digital training program using Augmented and Virtual Reality technologies to enhance health professionals’ skills to better support the mental health of women in Australia during pregnancy and after birth. Read more here.
Western Sydney University News 🎓
- Western Sydney University students to get hands-on in delivery of Powerhouse Parramatta
- Federal Government delivers funding to establish Cybersecurity Aid Centre in Parramatta
Launch Pad Community Events 🗓️
Launch Pad Community Members are invited to come along to these workshops. You’ll just need to sign up to Launch Pad Live, Our Virtual Community Hub.
Past events you can watch on Launch Pad TV:
- How to iterate quickly with focus thanks to OKRs | Sten Pittet, CEO of Tability
- Establish Your Sales & Marketing Foundation | Kartike Day, HubSpot for Startups
- The 4 Golden Rules of Startup Legals | James Frank, Frank Law
- Tech for non-tech | Peter Laurie, Junta
- Capital Raising Pathways | Jason Atkins, CEO of Cake Equity
Ecosystem News
- Up to $80m of funding available under the Modern Manufacturing Initiative.
- LinkTree has launched The Passion Fund, a $250k (USD) global grant program designed to support creators, activists and entrepreneurs in taking their passion to the next level. Applications close 7 July.
- NSW offers $24m in grants for businesses to solve five big problems.
- Main Sequence, closes a $250m second fund to continue their mission.
- Afterpay taps S.F. office as its new North American HQ
- SheEO has launched applications for their next cohort of Ventures in Australia + New Zealand. Apply by 16 July.