The new Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast website is a virtual environment that can take entrepreneurs from ‘zero to business hero’, regardless of what stage of their business development they are at.
The site – www.innovation-centre.com.au – is not just an open door to the Innovation Centre, a University of the Sunshine Coast company, it is also a virtual bonanza of business information to help anyone with an idea, at whatever stage of their business development, to business success.
Innovation Centre Entrepreneur in Residence Nigel Hall said the new website offered invaluable information and resources to everyone from people who have not yet started to develop their idea through to business owners, whether start-ups, home-based, family or small businesses.
“These businesses often face difficulty growing – they may lack the confidence, experience, skills or resources and market-know how to move ahead or it may be that they lack an external impartial sounding board to support them,” Mr Hall said.
Mr Hall said while economies world-wide continued to face massive challenges, he believed now was the time for entrepreneurs to get moving on their plans so that when the economy shifts they would be best positioned to reap the benefits.
“While there are still some tough times ahead, when the economy turns around it could happen very quickly and businesses need to be set up and ready to meet the demands that will bring,” he said.
The Innovation Centre is already home to 28 businesses, mainly in ICT, Clean Tech and Creative Industry sectors, and the new website opens up the Innovation Centre’s wealth of business experience and insights to a wider local, national and international audience. Other resources can be added to the ‘Zero to Hero’ framework and the Innovation Centre is already considering submissions from other expert bodies.
“One of the great features on the site is our 10-step Zero to Hero program, which offers specific insights and practical tips for everyone from dreamers – people who are still to put their ideas on paper, to Hero – a business which is consistently producing profits and spare cash, with new products being developed to secure future markets,” Mr Hall said.
“This really is a great resource for growth oriented businesses and we have developed it because we are committed to support local business and the development of the region’s economy, particularly in the development of the Clean Tech, Digital, Creative and Knowledge-based industry sectors.”
Mr Hall said the Zero to Hero program allowed people access to information and 40 practical articles from business leaders in areas such as business planning, human resources, sales, online marketing, finance, marketing and strategic planning.
“The new website demonstrates the depth of practical experience and knowledge associated with the Innovation Centre, one of the fastest growing innovation hotspots in Australia,” Mr Hall said.
He said in addition visitors to the site could also check out the many businesses already based at the Innovation Centre and get details about upcoming business development programs and courses.
To check out the new website and get more information about the Innovation Centre and the Zero to Hero program, visit www.innovation-centre.com.au, phone +61 7 5450 2600 or email innovationcentre@usc.edu.au.
