New Queensland Chief Entrepreneur kicks off in the regions

Published Thursday, 19 October, 2017 at 06:34 AM

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small Business
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

Queensland’s new Chief Entrepreneur, Steve Baxter, will return to Rockhampton and Emerald next week during a three-day visit to Central Queensland.

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch said today (Thursday) Mr Baxter – who spent his formative years in Central Queensland – is a keen supporter of regional innovators and entrepreneurs.

“Steve Baxter will bring that extra something to the Palaszczuk Government’s $420 million Advance Queensland initiative designed to transform the state’s economy, create knowledge jobs of the future, and build Queensland’s reputation as a global innovation and investment destination,” Ms Enoch said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how he will help nurture Queensland’s growing startup ecosystem and promote it to the world.

“Our inaugural Chief Entrepreneur Mark Sowerby was an extraordinary asset to us. Having another Chief Entrepreneur from the private sector of the same calibre is great news for Queensland as we cement our position as a centre for innovation.”

Mr Baxter was born in Cloncurry and spent his childhood in Central Queensland, attending primary school in Emerald and high school in Rockhampton before leaving to join the army at age 15 as an apprentice working in the field of electronics, telecoms and guided weapon systems.

Mr Baxter, who took up his new role this week, said he was keen to hear from locals during his first regional visit as Queensland’s Chief Entrepreneur.

“There’s renewed buzz of activity around the Central Queensland region at the moment,” Mr Baxter said.

“The announcement regarding Rockhampton being one of the workforce hubs for the Carmichael Coal mine has given the region a boost, and the city is building an impressive new Smart Hub for startup businesses which I want to keep an eye on.”

The first engagement on the Chief Entrepreneur’s itinerary is a meeting next Thursday, October 26, with a local Rockhampton investor group, which is looking at the best ways to invest in the region’s emerging technologies, startup and scale-up businesses.

“The missing piece of the Queensland startup ecosystem isn’t a lack of ideas or expertise, it’s the lack of a sophisticated investment community, and that’s one of the key areas I’ll be focusing on in this role over the next year,” Mr Baxter said.

On Friday October 27, the Rockhampton Regional Council and industry group Startup Capricorn are hosting a Lunch & Learn event with the Chief Entrepreneur at the Headricks Lane microbrewery and restaurant.

Mr Baxter is also planning to drop in to North Rockhampton State High School, where he was a student from Years 8-11.

“I wouldn’t say I was the best student North Rocky has seen pass through the doors, but my high school experience certainly helped shape my ideas about what I wanted to get out of life,” he said.

On Saturday (October 28), Mr Baxter will travel to Emerald where he is speaking at the Central Highlands Business Excellence Awards.

Mr Baxter, the founder of Brisbane’s first startup hub, River City Labs, is based in The Precinct, Queensland’s startup hub in Fortitude Valley. He will serve in the position for the next 12 months.

More information can be found at http://www.chiefentrepreneur.qld.gov.au/

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