Advance Qld supports program keeping startups on ramp to success

Advance Queensland is supporting an intensive 12-week training and mentoring program for new entrepreneurs aimed at reducing the risk associated with starting up.

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small Business Leeanne Enoch said the Startup Onramp program, being run out of River City Labs at The Precinct in Brisbane, would help emerging entrepreneurs make better decisions and avoid common pitfalls.

“What is really great about Startup Onramp is that it concentrates on the things early stage entrepreneurs need to be doing in order to succeed, and gives them sound advice about what to avoid when they start out,” Ms Enoch said.

“This innovative program is just what we need to help us increase the rate of startup companies breaking through to scale up in Queensland, so that we can transform and grow the state's economy and create jobs of the future.”

Startup Onramp received $25,000 support through the Advance Queensland Startup Events and Activities Fund in March to help build a scalable program that can be delivered across Queensland and interstate.

Advance Queensland is the Palaszczuk Government's $405 million whole-of-government initiative focusing on harnessing innovation to unlock business potential, growing our regions, fostering new industries, and giving future generations the necessary skills and knowledge for the jobs of tomorrow.

Startup Onramp founder and co-facilitator Colin Kinner is author of the respected StartupAUS Crossroads report and a highly experienced startup mentor and investor. The first program is almost fully subscribed and will begin tomorrow (Tuesday 16 May). Another program is scheduled to begin in September 2017.

"Australia needs more startup founders – at least 10 times more if we are to measure up globally,” Mr Kinner said.

"We also need improved training for new founders if their ventures are to succeed.

"I want Startup Onramp to have a positive impact on the Australian startup ecosystem by producing at least another one thousand highly capable startup founders over the next couple of years.

"The principles behind Startup Onramp are pretty simple – we’re helping first time entrepreneurs ‘un-fail’ their startup by doing a lot more of the things that lead to growth and a lot less of the things that lead to failure.”

The program is co-facilitated by experienced startup mentor and coach Peter Laurie and will feature guest presentations from prominent Australian investor and Shark Tank celebrity Steve Baxter, plus a number of other successful Australian entrepreneurs.

Shreyas Nivas, founder and CEO of M3DIA, which provides technology solutions for online retailers like 3D virtual models of products, is excited by the opportunity and says the benefits are two-fold.

“It gives us the opportunity to tap into the minds and experience of mentors who have been there before, and also to connect with other serious entrepreneurs in the early stages of their businesses and share ideas and learnings from their own ventures,” said Mr Nivas.

“The program is filling a gap in the startup ecosystem here in Brisbane, and helping to set the bar higher for aspiring founders.”

Visit Startup Onramp's website for more information about costs and how to register.

More information about the Startup Events and Activities Fund is available from the Advance Queensland website.

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