Partnerships deliver business support across the community
In 2023 UNE SMART Region Incubator (UNE SRI) has continued to be a willing and enthusiastic partner, keen to nurture innovation and support businesses to grow across the community.
Programs and events have been supported and delivered in partnership with Government, including directly with Councils and the Department of Regional NSW:
Two NSW Small Business Month workshops delivered in partnership with Armidale Regional Council ('My Small Business Online'), as well as a Community Grant Writing Workshop.
Plans are underway alongside Department of Regional NSW for a BioEnergy Futures Series event which will be held in multiple locations across the region in 2024.
The UNE SRI is also proud to work alongside organisations and groups from across the community.
“This year we have been glad to work alongside the Royal Society of NSW, and to develop ongoing relationships with Arts North West, Social Enterprise Council of NSW and ACT (SECNA), Mosaic Multicultural Connections and Ignite Small Business StartUps,” said Cherene Spendelove, UNE SRI Regional Connector in Armidale.
“These organisations deliver business and professional development programs in the New England North West and it makes real sense to partner and collaborate, ensuring that our combined stakeholders receive maximum opportunity and benefit.”
In Armidale, UNE SRI has so far hosted two of The Social Enterprise Council of NSW's & ACT's (SECNA) quarterly ‘Business for Good’ lunches.
UNE SRI has partnered with Arts North West across the region. Professional development workshops have been delivered in Armidale, Moree and Tamworth including: ‘Professional Development Branding + Marketing for Regional Creatives’, ‘Freelance Skills for Creatives with Creative + Business’, ‘Pricing for Creatives with Creative + Business’; and ‘How to Calculate the Economic and Social Impact of the Creative Industries’.
Mosaic Multicultural Connections supports migrant and refugee communities. For the first time this year, SRI delivered a ‘Start Your Business in a Day’ workshop for people from the Ezidi community who either have an existing small business or are keen to get started. Crystal McGregor, Program Lead for Tech Ready Women, as well as a mentor, advisor and non-executive Director for multiple startups, delivered the program for UNE SRI and in partnership with Mosaic.
‘Start Your Business' Networking Breakfast was a networking breakfast for startups and support agencies - in partnership with Mosaic, Ignite Small Business StartUps, and Service NSW.
In partnership with Ignite Small Business StartUps, the ‘Celebrating Entrepreneurship Morning Tea’ gathered start-ups, experts, and service providers who support small business at NOVA.
“We have been grateful for the opportunity to grow our networks as well as our capacity to deliver thanks to these partnerships and collaborations,” Ms Spendelove said.
“I am also grateful for the support of UNE SRI interns Shiroq Alali and Rami Simoki who provided invaluable assistance in the delivery of programs for Ezidi community businesses.”
