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entrepreneursforAn ecosystem of supportA University of the Sunshine Coast Company - Bring yourEverything you need toGreat facilities, technology & expert mentoringStartup to life & scale globally
- Join UsIC Thursday Open HouseJuly 25 - 4:30 pm to 6:00 pmfor refreshments, a tour & pitchesRegister Now
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- Investment Ready ClinicEOI's are now OPENA service for entrepreneurs who wantto scale and prepare for investmentLearn More
Welcome to the Innovation Centre
Sunshine Coast
Where innovation lives and entrepreneurs thrive
The Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast (IC) is located at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) campus at Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia. Opening in 2002, as not-for-profit company the IC is a major hub for innovators, entrepreneurial startups and high growth companies. The IC has a purpose built 1,700 square metre facility, a dedicated support team, incubator/ accelerator programs, collaborative events, 300MBps internet connection, video studio, prototyping lab, meeting rooms, mentor panel, professional partners and access to awesome USC facilities and talent.
With an extensive network of local and international connections, the IC provides a highly supportive ecosystem that enables you to take a viable product or service to the world with confidence. The IC is one of the most successful regional innovation centres, having assisted over 200 resident members since 2002 and created over $60M in economic value for the Sunshine Coast - find out how your company can benefit too.
One of ICs major partnerships is with the Sunshine Coast Regional Innovation Pipeline Team (#SCRIPT) – a collaboration of local entrepreneurs, businesses, government stakeholders and community members dedicated to growing innovation and business capacity on the Sunshine Coast.
First-Class Business Facilities
With flexible office space, 300MBps high speed internet, meeting rooms and more our space is built for entrepreneurs ready to grow and succeed.
Expert Mentoring & Support
We surround our members with great facilities, support and expert mentors as you move through your entrepreneurial journey. Our experienced and flexible mentors and regular events provide new perspectives and critical feedback.
Networking & Connections
The Innovation Centre's community is home to talented and passionate local entrepreneurs with a culture of willingness to share their experiences, challenges and connections and assist your business in reaching its best potential.
What the Innovation Centre has to offer your business!
Where innovation lives and entrepreneurs thrive
FLEXIBLE MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS
In the world of entrepreneurship, things change fast and flexibility is essential for established businesses and start ups. We're agile and provide a simple monthly membership to support your growth with no long-term, lock in contracts.
EXPERT MENTORING & SUPPORT
More than 30 experienced business mentors will provide you with new perspectives, critical feedback and access to valuable connections as you move through your entrepreneurial journey.
FIRST-CLASS FACILITIES
Our facilities include professional office spaces, high-speed fibre internet, VOIP capability, kitchen facilities, shared meeting rooms and more.
QUALITY CONNECTIONS
Our community is packed with talented and passionate local entrepreneurs. Share ideas and challenges, network with likeminded people and immerse yourself in the Sunshine Coast start up and business community.
EVENTS
Our regular events provide local entrepreneurs to new knowledge, services and connections. No cost attendance is included in Innovation Centre membership for a diverse range of workshops, presentations, networking and meetups.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership gives your business access to one of the most thriving entrepreneurial communities on the Sunshine Coast. Join now for access to a range of growth and support opportunities and top notch facilities.
Until next Innovation Centre event
UPCOMING
EVENTS
july, 2019
04jul10:00 am11:00 amEntrepreneur's Exchange - Funding: external options
Event Details
Entrepreneur's Exchange - Funding: external options 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
Event Details
Entrepreneur’s Exchange – Funding: external options
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. 1st 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
Entrepreneur’s Exchange is supported by funding from the Australian Government under its Entrepreneurs’ Programme.
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.
Time
(Thursday) 10:00 am - 11:00 am (GMT+10)
Organizer
The Innovation Centreic@innovationcentre.com.au
09jul5:30 pm7:30 pmApplied Innovation Workshop
Event Details
Identify new opportunities for you and your business This applied innovation workshop is aimed at small business owners and managers and provides an opportunity to step
Event Details
Identify new opportunities for you and your business
This applied innovation workshop is aimed at small business owners and managers and provides an opportunity to step back and learn more about how innovation can help you achieve your personal and business objectives and increase your profits and impact.
Innovation is about executing new ideas of value. It is not just about new products and services but also new ways of doing business, including tapping into technology. Compared to non-innovators, innovative businesses are 40 per cent more likely to increase income and profitability, twice as likely to export, and two to three times more likely to report increased productivity, employment and training (Australian Innovation System 2016 Report).
This short workshop explains why an innovation strategy is an essential business tool, how to assess your current position, understand different types of innovation – including technology enabled innovation – identify opportunities for innovation and tips on how to get started.
Using a combination of proven research, examples from small businesses, practical tools and techniques, this workshop offers insights into what it takes to be successful at innovation.
All participants will receive access to special downloadable workbook with all the tools covered in the workshop and advice on next steps to implementation.
Presenter – Colin Graham
Colin Graham is the founder of Causeway Innovation and was previously the founding CEO of the Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast. He has worked with over 300 startups, SMEs and corporates with a focus on business development through innovation.
Colin’s business career started in London where he became International Product Manager for Dulux before moving on to be the co-founder and CEO of Yellowbrick Training & Development with SME and corporate clients such as IBM, Unilever and Deloitte in the UK, Canada and USA.
In recent years, Colin has worked with owner managers of SMEs across Australia and a wide range of sectors including food and agribusiness, tourism, health and wellbeing, ICT, environment, creative and professional services.
Timing & Details
- Event starts at 5.30pm prompt and finishes at 7.30pm, it is recommended that participants arrive at around 5.15pm to have time to register, pick up course materials and refreshments.
- Light catering and drinks will be provided.
Thanks to supporters
This event is proudly supported by Noosa Council, Advance Queensland and #SCRIPT.
Note
This workshop runs at the Peregian Beach Digital Hub on Wed 3 July and is then repeated at the Innovation Centre, Sippy Downs on Tues 9 July. Each event has its own booking page – a link to the Peregain Beach event is at the bottom of this page.
It is the same workshop at each location, please register for the date and location that suits you. Thanks.
Time
(Tuesday) 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Organizer
16jul5:00 pm8:00 pmQLD Healthtech Innovation Pitch Event
Event Details
Healthtech Innovation QLD is pleased to announce QLD Healthtech Startup Demo Day, featuring startups from across QLD including graduates from the regions first Health and Wellbeing startup accelerator program AHx. We
Event Details
Healthtech Innovation QLD is pleased to announce QLD Healthtech Startup Demo Day, featuring startups from across QLD including graduates from the regions first Health and Wellbeing startup accelerator program AHx.
We are very excited to bring together at one event, 14 of Queensland’s most exciting, commercially viable and scalable companies already improving healthcare efficiencies, health outcomes and health access.
This event will bring together healthcare leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and experts across IT, Finance, Business, Engineering within the wider health technology community to facilitate connections, and support in scaling these innovative QLD based businesses.
The pitch event will consist of 5 min pitches from each of the startups followed by, food, drinks, networking and making connections.
So don’t miss the opportunity to network, share some food and drinks with everyone and to hear from some of Australia’s top health startups and their amazing health solutions.
Time
(Tuesday) 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Event Details
There is a Special USC Presentation by Dr Noel Chambers, CEO, National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation Tuesday 23 July; Time: 11.00 - 12.00; Venue: Lecture Theatre 6 No need
Event Details
There is a Special USC Presentation by Dr Noel Chambers, CEO, National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation
Tuesday 23 July;
Time: 11.00 – 12.00; Venue: Lecture Theatre 6
No need to register
The presentation will cover information about philanthropy, our strategy around supporting translation, the challenges and opportunities of connecting with the next step partners, and considerations for researchers, administrators and the TTO when applying and receiving NFMRI support.
Time
(Tuesday) 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
24jul7:00 pm10:00 pmEmerging Technologies Meetup - Demystifying Cyber Security with Josh Lehman
Event Details
Demystifying Cyber Security with Josh Lehman Cyber security is set to be a billion dollar industry this year and for good reason. Malware and computer viruses can now be purchased by
Event Details
Demystifying Cyber Security with Josh Lehman
Cyber security is set to be a billion dollar industry this year and for good reason. Malware and computer viruses can now be purchased by anyone with ill intent and in this presentation, we dive into demystifying cyber security.
This presentation will be brought to you by Josh Lehman, founder of the Digital Currency exchange Digital surge. Josh brings ten years of experience in cybersecurity to the meetup to explain the dangers of interacting online but more importantly, how to protect ourselves and gain further knowledge around the subject.
You can find more on Digital Surge here: https://digitalsurge.com.au
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Register via MEETUP.COM
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
25jul2:30 am4:30 pmHow to Reach More People and Make More Sales with Online Video
Event Details
JOIN US FOR AN AFTERNOON OF LEARNING FOLLOWED BY NETWORKING AND DRINKS COURTESY OF THE INNOVATION CENTRE OPEN HOUSE EVENING FROM 4:30pm
Event Details
JOIN US FOR AN AFTERNOON OF LEARNING FOLLOWED BY NETWORKING AND DRINKS COURTESY OF THE INNOVATION CENTRE OPEN HOUSE EVENING FROM 4:30pm
In 2019, 81% of businesses are now using video as a marketing tool.
Are you confused how to use video to promote your business and actually get new customers?
Do you know what every video must contain to help you sell more of your products or services?
Do you know when to use video on Facebook and steer clear of YouTube or how to introduce video content into your Instagram marketing that leads to sales?
Do you have a plan to turn viewers into customers?
In short, are you using video effectively to attract the right clients in your business? If not, you could be getting left behind.
This is the real information, techniques and tactics you will learn in this FREE 2hr workshop, presented by leading Online Video Strategist Ben Amos. He will share with you the secret to designing and implementing a powerful online video strategy plan to ensure you’re using the right videos, for the right people in the right way to actually get results for your business.
Invest 2 hours coming along to the workshop and you’ll learn;
- Exactly why video works and how to hack human nature to ensure your videos engage in the right way
- How to set goals for your video strategy and ensure any content you create aligns with those goals
- The secret to reaching your ideal customer through video in the right way, at the right time to increase conversion rates of viewers to sales
- The power of storytelling to get clients to ‘buy-in’ before you actually ask them to buy your product or service
- How to design a simple video strategy to drive a customer from enquiry through to raving fan
- When DIY videos are amazingly effective and when should you consider hiring a professional
- How to convert more enquiries into sales immediately using the tools you already have at your disposal.
Join other like-minded, growth focussed business owners at this valuable ‘pitch free’ workshop and you’ll walk away with the confidence to begin implementing video strategically in your digital marketing to actually get results and grow your business.
NOTE: Following this event at 4:30pm you are invited to stick around for networking, drinks and nibbles at the monthly Innovation Centre Open House event.
Time
(Thursday) 2:30 am - 4:30 pm
25jul4:30 pm6:00 pmIC Thursday Open House
Event Details
IC Thursday Open House July 25th @ 4:30 pm - 6:00 pmYou are invited to our Monthly Thursday Drinks.Join us for our open house
Event Details
IC Thursday Open House
July 25th @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
You are invited to our Monthly Thursday Drinks.
Join us for our open house drinks and pitches. Once a month we open our doors to the community to give everyone a chance to drop in, meet the founders and entrepreneurs who run the Startups that call The Innovation Centre home. Take a tour, walk through our venue and make some new connections.
The event is informal yet a great opportunity to pitch your startup to a captured audience. We have time for approximately 5 Startup Pitches each Thursday, so put your hand up when you arrive if you are keen to stand up and pitch to the group. This is a formal invitation to our monthly open house celebrations. Take a tour around the Sunshine Coast’s biggest startup community, speak with high growth QLD-based tech startups over a drink.
RSVP so we can be well stocked.
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.
Time
(Thursday) 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm (GMT+10)
Organizer
The Innovation Centreic@innovationcentre.com.au
31jul9:00 am1:00 pmGet Pitch Ready
Event Details
It’s time to close the deal with the perfect elevator pitch! You have a plan to grow your business into global markets, you know which investors
Event Details
It’s time to close the deal
with the perfect elevator pitch!
You have a plan to grow your business into global markets, you know which investors or funders to target and possess the documents required to convince them you have what they need and now it’s time for the elevator pitch.
Time
(Wednesday) 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
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