Entrepreneur’s Exchange – Know your market: Who’s your customer

The Entrepreneur’s Exchange is a discussion about the issues facing entrepreneur’s such as value proposition, marketing, cash flow, team building and creating workplace culture.

Open to IC Members, USC Researchers, Staff and Students

Register via Eventbrite

Then simply walk in 10am in the Boardroom – complimentary coffee & danishes. 1^st Thursday of every month.

Our Facilitator

Claire Smith  |    Expert in Residence, Innovation Centre

“My aim is to help Australian innovation companies create cash flow, and successfully reach their goals through my company’s work with the Startup community.“

Claire Smith has been building businesses in Australia and the UK for the last 30 years. She is currently the Managing Director of Forbes Meisner Pty Ltd. Her specialist areas are R&D administration & project planning, troubleshooting, business development & communication.In her spare time, she writes and produces film and TV scripts and chairs a local voluntary organisation. She is a board member of the Animal Ethics Committee at USC and she resides in Nambour. Claire is passionate about innovation and assisting individuals and companies to realise their goals.

Event Partners

Frequently Asked Question

Who can attend?

This event is for Innovation Centre Members, USC Researchers, Staff and USC Students.

Where shall I park?

USC Sunshine Coast is a regulated parking area Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm all year (excluding public holidays). Visitors can pay for casual parking via one of the Ticketless Parking Meters located around campus.

• Enter your vehicle’s registration number and select car OR motorcycle.
•  Choose from two options: 4 hours or less (A$3 car; A$2 motorcycle) OR more than 4 hours (A$5 car; A$3 motorcycle)
•  Pay with coins, Mastercard or Visa. No notes accepted. No change given.
•  Note your receipt code.

What are the public transport options?

Sunbus runs regular bus services between various Sunshine Coast locations and the University’s campus at Sippy Downs. Information on Sunbus routes and timetables can be found on the TransLink Journey Planner website. Use the journey planner to find times and services that suit you.

IC Thursday Open House

April 18th  @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Frequently Asked Question

Where shall I park?

USC Sunshine Coast is a regulated parking area Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm all year (excluding public holidays). Visitors can pay for casual parking via one of the Ticketless Parking Meters located around campus.

• Enter your vehicle’s registration number and select car OR motorcycle.
•  Choose from two options: 4 hours or less (A$3 car; A$2 motorcycle) OR more than 4 hours (A$5 car; A$3 motorcycle)
•  Pay with coins, Mastercard or Visa. No notes accepted. No change given.
•  Note your receipt code.

What are the public transport options?

Sunbus runs regular bus services between various Sunshine Coast locations and the University’s campus at Sippy Downs. Information on Sunbus routes and timetables can be found on the TransLink Journey Planner website. Use the journey planner to find times and services that suit you.

Most business plans fail and rarely survive first contact with customers!

In this workshop you’ll create a brand-new business model plan or update your old one with the ideal mix of strategy, design thinking and planning. We’ll provide the insights, tools and templates to transform your business.

Business building whizz Claire Smith of Forbes Meisner accompanied by Mark Paddenburg, IC CEO will provide a hands-on session covering the Business Model Canvas segments, so you can produce a visual chart for your business or business idea which describe your product’s value proposition, infrastructure, customers, and finances.

This is an interactive workshop with one of the region’s most accredited business development, marketing and entrepreneur specialist. It is highly recommended that you review your business model and take a look at the Strategyzer video before the workshop: https://strategyzer.com/canvas/business-model-canvas

What will you get from the working lunch?

Our Faciltatiors

Claire Smith  |    Expert in Residence, Innovation Centre

“My aim is to help Australian innovation companies create cash flow, and successfully reach their goals through my company’s work with the Startup community.“

Claire Smith has been building businesses in Australia and the UK for the last 30 years. She is currently the Managing Director of Forbes Meisner Pty Ltd. Her specialist areas are R&D administration & project planning, troubleshooting, business development & communication.In her spare time, she writes and produces film and TV scripts and chairs a local voluntary organisation. She is a board member of the Animal Ethics Committee at USC and she resides in Nambour. Claire is passionate about innovation and assisting individuals and companies to realise their goals.

Mark Paddenburg |    CEO, Innovation Centre

“My goal and passion is to assist innovators and entrepreneurs achieve their goals and commercial outcomes.”

As CEO, Mark and his team are currently assisting over 45 startup and high growth companies. In previous roles, Mark assisted in the establishment of a range of new ventures including Dascom (now owned by IBM), QuickBeds (now owned by Flight Centre), FireWire, Tracknology, Venture Commander, Storey Bridge Climb and Stella Gems. Mark has also assisted a range of larger companies such as Unisys, Lockheed Martin, Digicel Pacific, Youi, Virgin, Sandvik, Talisman Energy whilst Manager at Invest Queensland.

Frequently Asked Question

Where shall I park?

USC Sunshine Coast is a regulated parking area Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm all year (excluding public holidays). Visitors can pay for casual parking via one of the Ticketless Parking Meters located around campus.

• Enter your vehicle’s registration number and select car OR motorcycle.
•  Choose from two options: 4 hours or less (A$3 car; A$2 motorcycle) OR more than 4 hours (A$5 car; A$3 motorcycle)
•  Pay with coins, Mastercard or Visa. No notes accepted. No change given.
•  Note your receipt code.

What are the public transport options?

Sunbus runs regular bus services between various Sunshine Coast locations and the University’s campus at Sippy Downs. Information on Sunbus routes and timetables can be found on the TransLink Journey Planner website. Use the journey planner to find times and services that suit you.

Who do I contact regarding special dietary needs?

If you have any special dietary needs please contact us upon registration to ensure we can meet your requirements.