New Year, New Opportunities for Local Businesses

New Year, New Opportunities for Local Businesses

Published on 30 January 2019

It’s the time of year when tree-changes and career moves make the list of new year’s resolutions. And there’s never been a better time to start a new business venture than in 2019 with the Startup Shakeup.

Founded in 2018, this local North East Victorian network is the place for current and future business founders to pitch ideas, gain support from bright minds and potential investors, and access resources to get a side hustle off the ground.

2019 brings networking events and workshops to Rutherglen, Beechworth, Yackandandah, Benalla, Wangaratta and Mansfield municipalities that will connect like-minded movers-and-shakers, identify local community problems that could benefit from innovation, and support the founding of innovative new business ventures to shape and grow our region.

Startup Shakeup Coordinator Emma Jones

“We are growing the Startup Shakeup network to attract new investment into our community, attract and keep our best and brightest, both of which can create new business solutions for lasting community benefit. Everything we offer is either free or low cost, thanks to funding from LaunchVic and support from local councils, CSU, NE Tracks LLEN and GOTAFE.”

LaunchVic CEO Kate Cornick

“93% of Victorian startups are based in the Melbourne CBD – so our focus is to expand the opportunities for startups to be created anywhere in Victoria with the right support and ecosystem”

Kick-off is in February with Smart Seeds Open, the second of four workshops designed to attract local leaders and thinkers to tackle challenges too big to solve on their own, and creating solutions for lasting community benefit and business success in the region.

Startup Shakeup Coordinator Emma Jones

“Smart Seeds is a huge opportunity for the communities of Northeast Victoria to collaborate and apply fresh thinking to local challenges. I encourage all our passionate locals to come along, bring a friend and help create solutions for lasting economic and social benefit. Startup Shakeup and Smart Seeds have the networks to make it happen. It’s free and bookings are essential”

Other events between now and Easter include:

Jump Start Me - A series of workshops that will teach you what it takes to go global with an idea. Comes with mentoring so you can work through your own idea with a coach. CSU Organisational Entrepreneurship Program - designed for managers and leaders to develop, launch and grow innovative ideas and projects within their businesses or organisations. My Big Idea by Global Sisters - A workshop designed to help women explore and land a concept they want to turn into a business. What is Startup Shakeup?

Thanks to a $400,000 grant from LaunchVic, Startup Shakeup is a network of entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors striving to turn big ideas into jobs and opportunities for growth in North East Victoria. More information and event registration at: www.startupshakeup.co

Photo credit: Paul Dillon Photo L-R: Some of the Startup Shakeup team

Danielle Dalmau (Mansfield Shire Council), Anne Shaw (NE Tracks LLEN), Emma Jones (Startup Shakeup), Catherine Macmillan (Benalla Rural City Council), Kate Cornick (CEO, LaunchVic), Rachael Richards (Rural City of Wangaratta), Ilena Young (Charles Sturt University), Rohan Latimer (Jewellers Coworking)