This is a crucial time for West Australia’s entrepreneurship ecosystem with more activities, forces and resources coming together than I have experienced in my 11 years working in the system and I’m pleased this combination of factors is taking us forward in a cohesive and collaborative way.
At Curtin University we recognise the important role we play within this network with the aim of achieving our goal in generating state-wide uplift.
I feel we are at a pivotal moment in positioning WA as the entrepreneurship and innovation epicentre of the nation, with the state offering a thriving start-up culture across diverse sectors and a highly desirable lifestyle.
Curtin is currently positioning itself to build out its pipeline of entrepreneurial talent by developing creative approaches to fostering education and inspiration locally and across our global campuses.
To do this, we are building upon our already well-established entrepreneurship and commercialisation pipelines. Innovation is in Curtin’s DNA and has been right from our genesis as Australia’s first University of Technology and the adoption of the targeted Curtinnovation initiative in 2003.
A key part of our strategy moving forward is recognising the potential of our young entrepreneurs and how we might provide opportunities in the K-12 Years to build the mindsets and skillsets of future entrepreneurs.
Also, part of that strategy is building out the Curtin programs, pathways and community for students, staff and alumni, globally.
Curtin has well established and proven pre-accelerator and accelerator programs in Curtin Ignition and Curtin Accelerate and we plan to enhance these even further to create more defined pathways and support, as we incubate entrepreneurial talent to enable faster and more efficient growth and scale.
Curtin is also uniquely positioned with four global campuses around the Pacific Rim, creating opportunities in these key markets of Singapore, Dubai, Mauritius and Malaysia for our local entrepreneurs to ‘think globally’ from the outset of their venture, which is paramount.
Also crucial is providing opportunities for our international students and staff to collaborate with our WA talent.
The next step is to take these initiatives to scale, from the early exposure, skill development, and engagement to support the most promising ideas as their creators pursue a path to real world impact and scale.
The time is now and at Curtin University, we’re ready for it. Do you want to connect and partner with us? Reach out to join our community.
