Accelerator Programs
We have a saying at Smart Precinct NQ that if you want to go fast go alone
but if you want to go far go together.
About
Smart Precinct NQ provides several programs for inventors, creators, and entrepreneurs to develop their ideas and grow their business.
- We help all types of organisations with all different types of ideas.
- Researchers – to refine business model, commercialise research connect into industry.
- Product Inventors who have an idea or prototype that could revolutionise their industry (such as Trades, Mining, Manufacturing, agriculture.
- Inventors and Entrepreneurs with high growth critical technologies, software and hardware solutions.
- Service Industry – start and grow a competitive practice or shop.
Ivan Brewer is the Founder of Peiso, the world’s first hospitality profitability software. He shares his experience in the Startup Onramp Founders Course:
Talking to professionals and guest speakers about their journeys and experiences was incredibly valuable.
“Dare to Think Big” Pre-Accelerator ©
The “Dare to Think Big” Pre-Accelerator program is a short intensive program to create and refine a concept or idea.
It is suitable for innovators, inventors or change makers with a concept or idea for a new business that they would like to test, validate and explore with experienced entrepreneurs and business mentors.
| Duration | 1 day |
| Topics |
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| Investment | Fully funded thanks to Advance Queensland and Townsville City Council valued at $550.00 |
| Next Dates | COHORT 1: 19 April 2023 COHORT 2: OPEN FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (2023-2024) |
| Other Inclusions |
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“Dare to Think Circular” Pre-Accelerator ©
The “Dare to Think Circular” Pre-Accelerator program is a short intensive program to create and refine an innovative solution for an industry problem using Circular Economy principles.
It is suitable for innovators, inventors or change makers with a concept or idea for a new business that they would like to test, validate and explore with experienced circular economy entrepreneurs, business mentors, industry and research partners.
| Duration | 1 day |
| Topics |
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| Investment | Fully funded thanks to the Queensland Government and Townsville City Council valued at $550.00 |
| Next Dates | COHORT 1: 17 October 2023 – OPEN FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (2023-2024) |
| Other Inclusions |
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Smart Business Accelerator ©
The Smart Business Accelerator is suitable for founders with early-stage business ideas in professional services, trades, retail, hospitality and social enterprise.
Owning and running a small business is hard but rewarding.
Did you know that Small Businesses account for 98% of the businesses in Australia, are the nation’s largest employer and contributes 34% to the country’s GDP? Yet 50% of Small Businesses fail in the first 5 years. When a small business fails it has compounding impacts to the founder’s family, finances, and mental health. In this accelerator program you will learn skills and strategies to give your new business idea to survive.
| Duration | 6 weeks – 2-hour workshops (face to face or zoom) Businesses can expect to spend 1-3 hours between sessions on pre-reading and implementing activities in the business and will attend a one on one mentoring session during the program. |
| Topics | Business Essentials
Financial Basics
Marketing and Sales
Systems and Processes
The Future
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| Investment | Fully/ partially funded thanks to Townsville City Council valued at $2,500.00
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| Next Dates | COHORT 1: 22 February to 29 March 2023 COHORT 2: OPEN FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (2023-2024) |
| Other Inclusions |
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| Pre-requisites | It is recommended that you consider completing the Smart Precinct NQ Pre-Accelerator Program before undertaking this program but if you are unsure, please contact us and we can put you in touch with a mentor to discuss. |
Go Global Online
Take your business to the world from NQ. Benefit from the use of digital technologies and marketing strategies to serve your audience in bigger markets. Take your business to clients in Australia and overseas and create different revenue streams with the use of ecommerce, marketplaces, digital assets, online courses, print on demand, product photography, product description, SEO, Social Media strategies, ad campaigns.
An intensive 6-week Program for entrepreneurs with a business idea, physical product, or service. Each weekly session of 2 hours and additional extra work of at least 1 hour a week.
This program provides businesses and start-ups with the benefits of positioning local businesses in global markets; creating job opportunities; increasing sales and revenue; gaining resilience; NQ brand exposure.
| Duration | 6 weeks – 2-hour workshops (face to face or zoom) Participants can expect to spend at least 1 hour for pre reading each week and more for activities. |
| Purpose | The purpose of this Program is to help local entrepreneurs to take advantage of digital technologies, to position their businesses in national and global markets, create job opportunities, increase sales and revenue streams, gain resilience and adaptability, represent NQ brand and exposure. |
| Topics | This program is run by Smart Precinct NQ’s business and investment lead Dr Lydia Canovas and supported by amazing guest speakers.
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| Cohorts | General Open now for entrepreneurs with an online business idea to established businesses without ecommerce presence. Cohorts – Commencing On 2023-2024. (Register Interest – Enquiry Form)
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| Investment | Generously fully funded by Townsville City Council valued at $2,500.00 |
| Other Inclusions |
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| Pre-requisites | Bringing your own laptop and camera (phone), be willing to invest an additional $500 in setting up an ecommerce platform, buy a domain, and run the first ad campaign. |
Shape the Future Accelerator ©
Do you have a business idea that could change the world?
The Shape the Future Accelerator is suitable for entrepreneurs, innovators, creators and product designers with global, national, and regional ambitions and opportunities for high growth acceleration.
You’ll learn the fundamentals of launching a start-up, including how to set up a business, source initial funding, refine your lean canvas, define your customer, and develop a go-to-market strategy.
| Duration | 10 weeks – 1.5-hour workshops (face to face or zoom) Followed by 2 weeks of post workshop activity completion in own time with mentoring. Participants can expect to spend at least 1 hour for pre reading each week and more for activities and to prepare for the award ceremony. |
| Topics | This program is run by Smart Precinct NQ’s business and investment lead Dr Lydia Canovas and supported by amazing guest speakers.
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| Cohorts | There are several focus areas for cohorts to this accelerator. This is so that in addition to the topics and inclusions it presents an opportunity for collaboration, connection in a non-competitive way to help drive your business forward. Developing Northern Australia General Open for expressions of interest from entrepreneurs, researchers and product developers regardless of industry, focus or solution Business for Good Open for expressions of interest from entrepreneurs, researchers and product developers that provide tech solutions that have a social or environmental impact for good. Cohorts – Commencing On 2023-2024. (Register Interest – Enquiry Form) |
| Investment | $550 inc GST Generously subsidised by Townsville City Council valued at $2,500.00 |
| Next Dates | Register your interest |
| Other Inclusions |
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| Pre-requisites | It is recommended that you consider completing the Smart Precinct NQ Pre-Accelerator Program before undertaking this program but if you are unsure, please contact us and we can put you in touch with a mentor to discuss. |