MEDIA RELEASE – 6 May 2021
Businesses across the Gippsland region are set to benefit from a new business innovation program driving growth and investment in key growth sectors of the local economy.
Delivered by Federation University in partnership with Runway at the Morwell Innovation Centre, the program will support the region’s transition to a future economy by activating business growth opportunities that create greater prosperity and sustainability.
“As we transition to a contemporary economy underpinned by innovation and entrepreneurship, the Morwell Innovation Centre is playing a crucial role helping businesses build the capability they need to adapt to changing market conditions and capitalise on new growth opportunities,” says Morwell Innovation Centre General Manager, Nicole Griffin.
“Working with Runway, a not-for-profit that builds the capability of businesses to be successful, we are fully funding 20 places for people to participate in a business growth program running from June through to August,” she continued.
Head of Partnerships at Runway, David Spear says, “using the proven skills and techniques applied by successful start-ups and scaleups from all over the world, businesses will learn to find new growth opportunities, overcome barriers to growth, test their emerging growth plans and get set up to take their best ideas to market.”
Nicole Griffin and David Spear at the newly built Morwell Innovation Centre
The Program is implemented in three key stages that build on each other to reduce risk and steadily accelerate businesses towards their business growth goals’ he said. These include:
• Get Ready: Evaluating the gap between the business and external environment, and identifying a new growth opportunity – completed in 20 hours over 2 weeks
• Get Set: Developing the customer value proposition for the new growth opportunity, and an action plan to test it in the real world – completed in 15 hours over 2 weeks
• Grow: Executing the validated business model to activate growth plans with support from industry experts delivering specialist knowledge, including access to Runway’s wider global networks – completed over two to three months progressively working on the business.
Morwell Innovation Centre is now calling for applications from businesses in the Gippsland Region wanting to participate. Up to 20 fully funded places are available and the program will commence on 7 June.
Applications now open, closing Monday 31 May
For more information and program details, please contact:
Nicole Griffin: 0409 492 243
n.griffin@federation.edu.au
David Huggan: 0415 948 568
david@runwayhq.co
Media Contacts:
Nicole Griffin – General Manager, Morwell Innovation Centre
n.griffin@federation.edu.au
0409 492 243
David Spear – Head of Partnerships, Runway
davids@runwayhq.co
0427 524 215
Wes Ward – Trusted Food Group
“RunwayHQ provides the perfect environment to explore, develop and challenge your big idea. Coupled with a diverse range of startups, co-tenants, mentors, and networks, this combination can help turn your big idea into something real. As a result, Trusted Food Group has closed a landing pad deal with the Nanjing Government, China.”
Daniel Pelliccia PhD – Rubens Technologies
“I absolutely loved my experience at Runway. The program was focused and very helpful to refine our business model. The connections I made helped my startup secure overseas investors and access to new markets.”
Matthew Hearsch – SmartSnugg
“I loved being a part of the Runway accelerator. I learnt so much and gained real confidence working with the facilitators and the other startups. My work with Runway has helped me close more than $1.25 million worth of investment so far.”
Brad Ott – Solar Monitoring
“As a graduate of Runway’s Startup Incubator program in 2019, Solar Monitoring’s client base has now grown substantially. As part of the Runway community, I look forward to continuing our relationship for years to come.”
Felicity Dunn – eQIPd
“Runway helped me identify what was missing in my startup and how to move the business forward. I met some fantastic people with diverse backgrounds and skills, which gave me a great opportunity to learn from others rather than trying to figure it all out on my own.”
Kylie Warne – GetSetGo
“Runway gave our team the impetus and framework to take an idea and transform it into a tangible commercial reality. The co-working space provides a collaborative and supportive environment, helping to keep down the cost of starting a business.”
Belinda Eden – Troop Employmen
“The Runway Incubator program was an amazing experience. Working with other startups and the program facilitators really educated me on the possibilities of business. Being part of a co-working community also really helped keep my business on track and energised.”
Cr. Stephanie Asher – Mayor, City of Greater Geelong
“Runway is instrumental – empowering Geelong’s clever and creative community to start, pivot and grow their businesses. Together we’ve created new jobs and growth adding $16m in output to the local economy annually, an additional $145m in revenue to the state, and more than 430 new jobs across Victoria.”