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.
Kicking off 2021 with a Ministerial Visit, Programs, Events and More
2021 has been an exciting start for us here at Launch Pad. We kicked off the year with the launch of Startup SydWest Global Connections and the selection of 21 startup businesses to join the 6-month accelerator program. We are beginning to pick up activities with the roll out of virtual and hybrid events and workshops. We saw the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology visit Launch Pad and hear our startups pitch their businesses.
Along with driving our current operations, Launch Pad has been focussed on the development of Launch Pad’s presence at the Parramatta Engineering Innovation Hub (PEIH) due to open in 2021, and the Bankstown CBD campus due to open in 2022.
Keep reading this newsletter to find out more.
Launch Pad Update
Welcoming our SydWest 2021 Cohort!
We completed recruitment for our Sydney Global Connections 2021 cohort. We received the highest volume of applications of any program we’ve run to date.
We are now working with 21 startups and providing a range of support activities designed to help startups establish quickly, hone the value proposition, rapidly develop technology, access markets and scale effectively.
Click here to meet the startups.
Melissa McIntosh MP & Minister Karen Andrews visits Launch Pad and startups in Penrith
The Morrison Government is backing tech start-ups in Western Sydney to grow and create jobs, with $250,000 for a new hub at Western Sydney University. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the funding through the Incubator Support Initiative helps Australians with great business ideas to overcome barriers and succeed. Read the full media release here.
Innovation Districts Challenges
We are running Innovation District Challenge Two to support business to access up to $500k in grant funding. The theme for Innovation Districts Challenge Two is economic resilience with a focus on solutions that build economic resilience for NSW business to recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Expressions of interest are now closed but stay tuned for the announcement of Challenge Three.
Advancing Manufacturing Roundtable
Don Wright, our Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship joined the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison and other leaders at the Advancing Manufacturing Roundtable held in Emu Plains focussing on supporting manufacturing businesses to create more local jobs, particularly in Western Sydney.
Launch Pad Western 4.0 at the Southern Strength Network
Inu Rana, our Senior Business Adviser, presented at Southern Strength network industry breakfast at Campbelltown on Launch Pad’s Western 4.0 initiative with focus on joint Industry Western R&D collaboration.
Founder Institute Sydney & Perth Australia: The Australian Startup Community Leaders Event.
Our Program Manager, Rebecca Pham, joins Founder Institute Sydney & Perth Australia: The Australian Startup Community Leaders Event. At this event, Founder Institute gathers representatives from different entrepreneurial organisations, and top entrepreneurs, to outline the local resources and provide tips on how to build a startup in Australia. Watch the recording here.
Launch Pad to move into the new Parramatta Engineering Innovation Hub
First-of-its-kind Engineering Innovation Hub tops out in Parramatta Engineering Innovation Hub building
Charter Hall Group, Western Sydney University, and the University of New South Wales have celebrated the topping out of their $300 million world-class ‘Engineering Innovation Hub’ development at 6 Hassall Street in Parramatta. We are now taking expressions of interest to join our new Parramatta Incubator.
Join the waitlist here | Watch the video fly-through here.
Some news from our businesses 🚀
Mastt has successfully raised capital from Aconex founders, former senior Lendlease executive and global investment firms. Mastt has also been accepted into the 2020-21 NSW “Going Global” Export Program and are building their team rapidly to employ people in Australia and South-East Asia. Click here to read the AFR article. Doug Vincent
Pnyx, a Saas platform that provides affordable client relationship management and integrated database solutions for the community care sector, are expanding and growing their local team steadily, adding on a new person to their team every two months. Juan Pereyra
Congratulations Charopy, for being a winner at the CSIRO India Australia Circular Economy Hackathon, taking home a prize money of $9,500. Charopy Smart Bin solves soft plastic contamination by only accepting eligible containers and supplies real time data to sustainability managers to monitor impact and reduce costs. Martin Collings
WSU student redesigns Anility’s logo through the award-winning studio, RabbitHole
Through the Urban Futures Accelerator program, Anility, a startup that’s developed a suite of powerful new tools designed to protect construction projects from contractor risk, has rebranded with the support of a Western Sydney University design student and The RabbitHole. Patrick Connolly
Western Sydney University News 🎓
- First-of-its-kind Engineering Innovation Hub tops out in Parramatta
- Virtual hackathon drives student innovations in business
- Women of the West Awards honour community advocates
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.
Friday 26 March 11-12pm | Virtual
Josip will cover things from basic eligibility criteria, assessment criteria, what to do, and what not to do, and more.
👥 Expert Speaker Series – “Getting your organisation employment ready” with Paayal Jattan, HR Business Partner at Perform HR & Launch Pad Mentor
Friday 9 April 11-12pm | Virtual
Paayal will cover Organisational structure, Position Descriptions, Employment Contracts, Modern Award and/or Enterprise Agreement, Recruitment – platforms, tools and readiness
🤖 The Necessity of Blockchain Immutability in Safeguarding Valuable Data
Thursday 15 April 5-7pm | Virtual
Featuring Guest Speakers, Dr. Bastieri, a Professor in General Physics at the University of Padova and a world renown expert in the fields of computing, astrophysics and physics, and Gianluca Giorgi, president of the working group “Innovation and Technology” for the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China, who’s a leading expert in automation and at the forefront of new successful technologies ranging from medical devices to using algae to produce energy.
🚀Launch Pad Venture Makers “Generate” Program
Thursday 22 April 5-7pm | Virtual
Come along to learn more about the new Venture Makers “Generate” Program. This program is a highly immersive entrepreneurship training experience focused on supporting emerging entrepreneurs to develop global opportunities for new enterprises.
💰 Expert Speaker Series “Establish Your Sales & Marketing Foundation” with Kartike Day, HubSpot & Launch Pad Mentor
Friday 30 April 11-12pm | Virtual
Kartike will cover foundational elements of marketing such as how to generate traffic to your website, best practices of converting the traffic into leads and the role of automation as well as foundational elements of sales including sales activities, sales processes and the role of technology.