GOLD COAST, QLD – Young Entrepreneurs on the Gold Coast are getting set for success with theannouncement of Queensland’s first dedicated Student Startup Landing Pad launching at the GoldCoast Innovation Hub in Robina.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Gold Coast Innovation Hub workspace powered by Little Tokyo Two, Startup Apprentice and is co-funded with the support of Study Gold Coast’s Vision 2020 fund. The project will provide young innovators with the space, resources and support to continue working on business ideas after participation in school and university led programs or competitions such as the Mayor’s Telstra Technology Awards or Startup Weekends.
Startup Apprentice Co-Founder, Sam Winter, says:
“The project addresses a recognised gap between entrepreneurial programs and successful business creation. Startup Apprentice have been introducing entrepreneurship to Gold Coast students for over five years and have had over 1000 students participate in our programs. We have helped dozens of student teams build business models and prototypes of products, but when the school term ends, there is no pathway for these students to keep building on their ideas in order to create commercialoutcomes. The Student Landing Pad is the missing ‘Next Step’ our young innovators need.”
Students entering the landing pad will be assisted on their startup journey by an ‘innovator inresidence’ and student mentors who will support the young entrepreneurs by providing them with introductions to advisors and potential customers. Positioned in the heart of the Innovation Hub this initiative will also allow students to interact and converse with the 200 digital and technology based businesses that utilise the workspace, as well as tapping into the visiting entrepreneurs, subject matter experts and service providers that regularly visit the Innovation Hub.
The Landing Pad will accept up to eight student startups per term, commencing in February 2019. Gold Coast Innovation Hub CEO, Sharon Hunneybell says that teachers and parents should act quickly to secure a space for their budding young entrepreneurs.
“The Gold Coast Innovation Hub at Robina is a vibrant place designed to help early stagebusinesses commercialise and grow. We look forward to working with the student entrepreneurs that enter the space by helping them to create a new wave of businesses andjob opportunities for young people on the Gold Coast.”
Study Gold Coast’s Acting CEO Katrina Reid is excited about the potential of the Landing Pad initiative:
“Study Gold Coast is committed to supporting any student in our city with their employment andcareer goals. This is an innovative way to support students with an entrepreneurial mindset that will enable them to launch their career on the Gold Coast. Collaboration between industry and the education and training sector is critical for the growth of our city and the Gold Coast Innovation Hub isan ideal way to facilitate these connections.”
Applications are now open, visit Startup Apprentice for further information: www.startupapprentice.com.au/student-startup-landing-pad/.
