INNOVATIVE business ideas in the Limestone Coast will get a kickstart with a new incubator opening in Mount Gambier.
The $1m innovation incubator, supported by the Federal Government’s Incubator Support Program, along with state and local government partners, will be delivered by the eNVIsion accelerator program developed by the New Venture Institute at Flinders University.
NVI enterprise deputy director Kathryn Anderson said the team at Flinders at Tonsley Innovation Precinct and its partners across the Limestone Coast were looking forward to working together to increase jobs and exports.
The eNVIsion Limestone Coast aims to “break down regional barriers to create a thriving innovation ecosystem”.
“We aim to build a local home for innovation with digital connectivity and a practical knowledge base and those valuable networks required to provide tailored pathways for local startups to reach international markets,” Ms Anderson says.
“eNVIsion Limestone Coast will have access to leading acceleration and innovation programs, technologies such as large-file sharing, video-conferencing with world experts, content streaming, specialist workshops and networks with international investment and study tours.”
Another initiative will connect the new hub with high-speed broadband GigCity connectivity with workshops and experts at the Tonsley Innovation Precinct in metropolitan Adelaide.
In recent years, NVI programs and innovation learning has supported more than 200 startups involving up to 60 jobs.
The $500,000 federal grant for eNVIsion Limestone Coast will be matched by support from Mount Gambier City Council and the Department of State Development.
Member for Barker Tony Pasin announced the new support for regional business and innovation to become globally competitive at the Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Business Awards on Friday night at the Barn Palais.
“eNVision Limestone Coast is a custom-made incubator delivering born-global new ventures and fast-tracking export startups,” Mr Pasin said.
He said it was welcome to see various levels of government coming together to support regional development.
The Flinders University project is one of four of the latest Australian incubators to benefit from $1.57m in grants under the Australian Government’s $23m incubator support initiative.
Mr Pasin said the announcement follows discussions held in Canberra with Mount Gambier City Council’s mayor and chief executive office and key ministers last month.
“We have great talent and opportunity in this region and with increased collaboration and support the Limestone Coast can build upon what exists here to see businesses compete and thrive on a global stage,” he said.
“I’m very pleased that eNVision Limestone Coast is being supported to expand its offerings, helping more Limestone Coast start-ups to be internationally successful and contribute to the local and national economies.”
