On 14 September, two inspiring start-up founders, Faith Foster and Roman Teslyuk, shared their exceptional entrepreneurship journey at the official launch event of Western Sydney University’s StartUp SydWest accelerator program.
Faith Foster, whose online transformation collaboration business was run through a Microsoft Incubator in the UK, noted the imperative of creating solutions that benefit customers. “In an early-stage company, if you are not meeting a customer need you don’t have a business,” she said.
Roman Teslyuk founded his artificial intelligence company while working in minerals prospecting in 2016. He reflected on the critical importance of a strong team. “Building a highly competent team who are passionate about creating solutions drove technology to new heights and also delighted customers and targets,” he said.
Don Wright, Head of the Launch Pad program at the University, noted the opportunity the accelerator program will pla in transforming western Sydney towards a digital future.
“Thanks to the $500k in funding from the Government’s Incubator Support Initiative, we expect western Sydney to grow by at least 30-40 new start-ups. These new knowledge-job leaders will build technologies, such as machine learning, virtual reality, data analytics and Blockchain, which will be key in delivering the region’s major projects, including health precincts, the new airport and Aerotropolis,” Don Wright said.
As an outcome focused accelerator, Startup SydWest facilitates start-ups to identify pathways to markets that drive international market opportunities, with a particular focus on the Asia Pacific region by leveraging Western Sydney University’s international collaboration networks.
Don Wright also noted, “A year-long accelerator program is a departure from traditional programs, which are typically three or six months in duration. Our focus is that each start-up has sufficient time to enrich technical development and connect to international markets with comprehensive technical and commercial support provided by the StartUp SydWest program. This deeper level of support will maximise the chances of success and create strong networks across the innovation ecosystem in western Sydney.”
Thirty start-up founders have won admission into the program, which begins with an all-day boot camp on 2 October 2018. The Accelerator will then continue over the next 12 months with focused sessions covering content curated around analysis of the technology and commercialisation gaps identified through the application, selection and interview process.
In future issues, WSBA will showcase entrepreneurs from StartUp SydWest as they pioneer new technologies and business models.
For more information, contact Don Wright Head of Western Sydney University Launch Pad at don.wright@westernsydney.edu.au.