Annual founders survey

Looking back on the accomplishments of 2023, we feel incredibly proud and grateful for the UNE SMART Region Incubator (SRI) community. Our visionary founders have reached remarkable milestones, making this year a testament to growth, resilience, and positive changes.

As a collective, founders have made significant strides in various sectors, including AgTech, HealthTech, sustainability-driven ventures, and creative industries. On an individual level, numerous founders received formal awards and accolades, many of which we've highlighted in the report. 

The founders of UNE SRI have shown a solid commitment to sustainability, technology-driven solutions, and research-based ventures. As a result, they've helped reshape the start-up landscape of the New England, the North-west and beyond. 

When it comes to growing ideas into viable businesses,  our founders are walking the talk: 88% of start-up founders are currently in the growth or scaling phase. In the 2022-23 period, 50% of UNE SRI founders were able to increase their sales revenue by an impressive average of 59%.

Our founder's impact on the broader community underscores the flow-on effects of helping individual founders launch and scale their businesses. Our founders have created 113 job opportunities in the past year, significantly contributing to the region's economy. As a group, our founders have plans to create an additional 84 jobs in the upcoming 12 months.

Time and time again, we hear from founders that one of the key benefits of being a member of the SRI is being part of the community. The 2023 survey report reflected this sentiment. Our founders find that simply sharing success stories, challenges faced and overcame, and the camaraderie within our community inspires them on their entrepreneurial journey.

We would also like to thank our primary funding supporters, the NSW Government and local councils, whose partnership has helped to make the UNE SRIs programs and events possible throughout 2023.

As we look forward to 2024, the UNE SRI remains committed to fostering innovation, empowering individuals, and contributing to the growth of key industries, including food production, energy, and healthcare. Together, we are working towards a more sustainable, technologically advanced, and brighter future for our community and beyond.

We are grateful for your support and contribution to our journey, and we look forward to another year of success and progress.

Lou Conway
Director
UNE SRI