Young Qld entrepreneurs unleash startup potential

Published Monday, 05 June, 2017 at 09:13 AM

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

Young Queensland entrepreneurs aged 15 – 24 will pitch their startup ideas to the state's innovation leaders in Brisbane today (Monday).

Innovation Minister Leeanne Enoch said teams from all over Queensland  including Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Townsville and Hervey Bay  worked intensely over the weekend to make it to today's final of the Advance Queensland Young Starters’ competition.

Ms Enoch said the competition is about encouraging young innovators to build their entrepreneurial and startup skills.

“The completion provides opportunities for young Queenslanders to connect with leading innovators, develop their business skills and get their startup ideas ready for investment,” Ms Enoch said.

“We have some bright minds here in Queensland and we want to ensure we are providing opportunities for their innovative ideas to further develop.

“Today is about equipping young innovators with an understanding of what is involved in launching a successful startup,” she said.

The competition is supported by the Advance Queensland Young Starters’ program which helps young entrepreneurs get a foothold in the startup sector.

River City Labs CEO Peta Ellis will be part of the panel who will judge the competition finals at The Precinct in Fortitude Valley.

“Over the weekend, 21 teams from across Queensland including remote areas were invited to an exclusive two-day bootcamp. Over 250 individual mentoring sessions were held, with eight masterclasses and pitch coaching to help them refine their projects,” Ms Ellis said.

“Ten teams were then selected to present a live pitch to a panel of industry representatives from startup accelerators, coworking spaces and investors. The winner will receive assistance to help get their startup off the ground."

Ms Enoch said we need more young people to consider career pathways in entrepreneurship to meet the demands of our future workforce.

“Young Queenslanders need opportunities to embrace entrepreneurship as a viable career choice,” she said.

The Advance Queensland Young Starters’ program has been designed to increase interest of young Queenslanders in entrepreneurial pathways by promoting entrepreneurship and fostering industries and jobs of the future.

Advance Queensland is the Palaszczuk Government’s $405 million flagship initiative to drive innovation across Queensland and turn great ideas into new products, businesses and jobs.

For more information on the Young Starters’ program visit http://advance.qld.gov.au/entrepreneurs-startups/young-starters.aspx

ENDS

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