$300,000 Boost for Byron Bay innovation
Media release | 24 September 2018
Byron Bay Community College will share in $2.1 million in funding to boost jobs, drive collaboration and help startup communities thrive across regional NSW.
Jobs for NSW will provide $300,000 in funding to the college as part of a new ‘Local Innovation Network’ program to turbocharge regional innovation.
Byron Bay Community College has been selected as one of seven locations in the new network which also includes Armidale, Wagga Wagga, Bathurst, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle and Wollongong.
The initiative will support regional areas to develop networked communities of startups and SMEs across NSW backed by the best possible support.
It will provide a boost for startups and SMEs in the Northern Rivers to further unlock the region’s potential.
Startups will get improved access to clients, mentoring and investment opportunities both in and outside the region thanks to new opportunities to connect with other regional entrepreneurs.
A crucial element of the program is to support the region to identify and address any barriers to local innovation.
Byron Bay Community College, in collaboration with multiple incubators, Southern Cross University, Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce and Byron Bay Council, will deliver a range of support programs.
This will include a series of entrepreneurial and thought leadership events throughout the region, an ‘incubate the incubators’ program, and an accelerator program for high-potential local firms.
The college will also engage experts to identify significant local challenges and support local startups to design and implement solutions.
NSW’s startup sector extends statewide with over 10 per cent of startups based outside of Sydney.
The new Local Innovation Network of communities will be in a strong position to create new partnerships with each other as well as the startup community in Sydney.
Jobs for NSW will partner with each regional participant in the Local Innovation Network to offer its suite of financial products – including grants, interest free loans and loan guarantees – to local entrepreneurs.