@CurtinUni 
www.linkedin.com/showcase/curtin-innovation-and-entrepreneurship/
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https://www.facebook.com/curtinuniversityCurtin University is a world-leader in fostering new, emerging entrepreneurs to realise their dreams through the creation of high value, technology-based startup companies. For over 17 years, Curtin has nurtured over 500 startup ideas that have gone on to generate more than $230 million in product and service sales and $200 million in follow on funding, Our team influences Curtin’s curriculum, with over 36,000 students currently enrolled in 1300 entrepreneurial units now offered across the University, and we enrich the student experience with opportunities such as the Global Pitching Competition and Student Startup Weekends. The Australian Government recognised Curtin’s venture building strengths by awarding the institution and its partners AUD$50million to transform how research commercialisation outcomes occur as part of the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer program. West Tech Fest, Australia’s longest running tech festival founded by Curtin in 2012, brings together over 4,000 attendees from across the globe to Perth each year to celebrate technology, innovation, investment and entrepreneurship in Western Australia. Curtin's success is attributable to a long-term commitment to fostering Western Australia's innovation ecosystem. We play a key role in policy and program development, ecosystem building, and defining new career and business pathways for researchers, students, and alumni.
Finalist
Entrepreneurial University of the Year Award
Curtin University
Finalist of the Entrepreneurial University of the Year Award
Curtin University - Australia
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Summary
Key People
Rohan McDougall
Executive Director
Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation,
Curtin University
Danelle Cross
Director of Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation ,
Curtin University
Dr Tom Hammond
Commercialisation Lead
Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation,
Curtin University
Maya Kavanagh
Marketing and Communications Consultant
Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation,
Curtin University
Sarah Kahle
Manager, Entrepreneurship Programs & Community
Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation,
Curtin University
Anna Lee
Manager, Entrepreneurship Pathway Programs
Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation,
Curtin University
Cameron Thorn
Lead
Young Entrepreneurs Academy of WA,
Curtin University
Nicole Gaitan
Curtin Ignition Coordinator
Faculty of Business and Law,
Curtin University
Ben Thomas
Senior Lecturer, Entrepreneurship
Faculty of Business and Law,
Curtin University
Associate Professor, Subra Ananthram
Dean, Teaching and Learning
Faculty of Business and Law,
Curtin University
Images
Curtin Student Startup Weekend
West Tech Fest
Curtin Accelerate
Curtinnovation Awards
Adjunct Professor of Innovation & Economic Development and VC Bill Tai at Curtin Mauritius
IMPACT STORY
Impacting lifes
During COVID, Nicola Cuthbert, a dedicated clinical nurse, faced the overwhelming challenge of balancing her demanding career with being a single parent, whilst trying to make ends meet. By 2021, she had reached breaking point, questioning how she could continue on as she was.
Her turning point came when she discovered an advertisement for Curtin Ignition. Intrigued by the potential to turn her idea for a new nursing service into something concrete, Nicola applied to the program. Nicola was awarded a scholarship to attend Curtin Ignition in support of female founded ventures. Nicola immersed herself in the entrepreneurial training offered and Curtin Ignition proved transformative.
Nicola emerged with a wealth of knowledge,a renewed passion and an extensive network, which she channelled into creating her first startup, StillMe, in November 2021. This venture revolutionised her and her son’s lives, providing the flexibility she needed to balance her professional and personal responsibilities, whilst supporting over 2,000 clients to remain in their homes longer, and hundreds of nurses to experience a better work-life balance.12 months post Curtin Ignition, Nicola had grown StillMe to turnover AUD$1M.
Buoyed by her success, Nicola launched her next venture, Tempo. This startup aims to create a gig economy platform for healthcare providers and professionals, enhancing flexibility and efficiency within the healthcare system across Australia and ultimately the world. Tempo promises to reconnect health professionals with their true calling, addressing the workforce gaps in a cost-effective manner.
Programs like Curtin Ignition have had a profound impact on Nicola and 822 other budding entrepreneurs. The support and training provided enabled her to shift from a state of burnout to thriving as an entrepreneur, making significant contributions to the healthcare sector and her community.
LEARNINGS
Lessons learned
Blazing trails within the University entrepreneurship sector is filled with lessons.
At Curtin, our first step was to develop a very clear ‘north star’, one that aligned with the University’s overall strategy. Our vision is to be recognised as an entrepreneurial university that provides the inspiration and support for future economic and social prosperity and our mission is to provide every student, staff member, and alumnus access to an entrepreneurial experience during their connection to Curtin University.We approached the fulfillment of this vision and mission as a marathon and ensured that we had commitments within the organisation, and externally with our partners, that were long term.
Curtin University has been working in the entrepreneurship space for over 12 years. We build programs for all stages of development then organise and communicate our programs in a pipeline approach. Our cornerstone initiatives – the Curtinnovation Awards, Curtin Ignition, Curtin Accelerate, and West Tech Fest – have formed the foundation for the growth of our ecosystem.
To achieve this, we experimented and adopted an entrepreneurial mindset. Some of our programs didn’t work out as planned; we ‘failed fast’ and leant into the opportunities that consistently demonstrated benefits for our community of staff, students and alumni.
In order to grow our ecosystem, we brought diverse people to the table to gain their input. As we started to gain momentum, we continued to consult with our stakeholders about their needs, what was missing, and from there we filled those gaps. What we chose not to do was, and continues to be, as important as what we focus our time on.
Ecosystem development is never ending. It is not a set and forget exercise. Our community is a living, breathing community that we continually invest time and resources in.
FUTURE PLANS
What's coming?
Curtin Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation continues to push the boundaries when it comes to entrepreneurial ecosystem development, capability building, and university transformation.
Our new Venture Studio model, an Australian University first, will transform the rate and speed of research commercialisation. This framework provides researchers and founders with access to human resources, capital, and infrastructure, to fast track the building of ‘protoventures’, successful enterprises based on demand driven research.
Unlocking funding opportunities for our entrepreneur community to scale continues to be a focus. We are achieving this through our newly launched Curtin Angel Investor Syndicate, our KickStart Fund, as well as our relationship with risk capital providers and philanthropic funding avenues.
Building young entrepreneurs’ skillsets and mindsets by working in innovative ways inside and alongside curriculum is a major focus. We are achieving this by utilising project based learning, leveraging our industry connections, and creating immersive global entrepreneurial learning experiences.
Initiating and growing West Tech Fest, Australia’s longest running tech festival, opens up many global opportunities for the Curtin entrepreneurship community. We are utilising the West Tech Fest network to immerse globally renowned academics into the Curtin community at key times throughout the year, adding to our student, staff and alumni experience and knowledge building.
Ensuring that our Global campuses are connected into our entrepreneur ecosytem is another key strategy. Our Perth based team will soon be supporting Curtin’s campus in Miri, Malaysia with the establishment of its own tech transfer office.
Our responsibility as a leader in the West Australian and Australian entrepreneur ecosystem continues to drive us. We have adopted a ‘rising tide lifts all boats’ mantra as we work with our stakeholders to drive economic and social prosperity.
