Welcome to the?Innovation Centre
Sunshine Coast
Where innovation lives and entrepreneurs thrive
The Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast (IC) is located at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) campus at Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia. Opening in 2002, as not-for-profit company the IC is a major hub for innovators, entrepreneurial startups and high growth companies. The IC has a purpose built 1,700 square metre facility, a dedicated support team, incubator/ accelerator programs, collaborative events, 300MBps internet connection, video studio, prototyping lab, meeting rooms, mentor panel, professional partners and access to awesome USC facilities and talent.
With an extensive network of local and international connections, the IC provides a highly supportive ecosystem that enables you to take a viable product or service to the world with confidence. The IC is one of the most successful regional innovation centres, having assisted over 200 resident members since 2002 and created over $60M in economic value for the Sunshine Coast - find out how your company can benefit too.
One of ICs major partnerships is with the Sunshine Coast Regional Innovation Pipeline Team (#SCRIPT) – a collaboration of local entrepreneurs, businesses, government stakeholders and community members dedicated to growing innovation and business capacity on the Sunshine Coast.
First-Class Business Facilities
With flexible office space, 300MBps high speed internet, meeting rooms and more our space is built for entrepreneurs ready to grow and succeed.
Expert Mentoring & Support
We surround our members with great facilities, support and expert mentors as you move through your entrepreneurial journey. Our experienced and flexible mentors and regular events provide new perspectives and critical feedback.
Networking & Connections
The Innovation Centre's community is home to talented and passionate local entrepreneurs with a culture of willingness to share their experiences, challenges and connections and assist your business in reaching its best potential.
What the Innovation Centre has to offer your business!?
Where innovation lives and entrepreneurs thrive
FLEXIBLE MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS
In the world of entrepreneurship, things change fast and flexibility is essential for established businesses and start ups. We're agile and provide a simple monthly membership to support your growth with no long-term, lock in contracts.
EXPERT MENTORING & SUPPORT
More than 30 experienced business mentors will provide you with new perspectives, critical feedback and access to valuable connections as you move through your entrepreneurial journey.
FIRST-CLASS FACILITIES
Our facilities include professional office spaces, high-speed fibre internet, VOIP capability, kitchen facilities, shared meeting rooms and more.
QUALITY CONNECTIONS
Our community is packed with talented and passionate local entrepreneurs. Share ideas and challenges, network with likeminded people and immerse yourself in the Sunshine Coast start up and business community.
EVENTS
Our regular events provide local entrepreneurs to new knowledge, services and connections. No cost attendance is included in Innovation Centre membership for a diverse range of workshops, presentations, networking and meetups.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership gives your business access to one of the most thriving entrepreneurial communities on the Sunshine Coast. Join now for access to a range of growth and support opportunities and top notch facilities.
Until next Innovation Centre event
UPCOMING
EVENTS
february, 2020
04feb10:00 am11:00 amEntrepreneur's Exchange - What’s driving you to succeed? Defining our ‘why’
Event Details
Entrepreneur's Exchange - What’s driving you to succeed? The Entrepreneur's Exchange is a discussion about the issues facing entrepreneur's. Defining our ‘why’.?What’s your ‘why’ and how does it
Event Details
Entrepreneur’s Exchange – What’s driving you to succeed?
The Entrepreneur’s Exchange is a discussion about the issues facing entrepreneur’s.
Defining our ‘why’.?What’s your ‘why’ and how does it keep you on this journey. Come and share your experiences or find some answers in our monthly group discussion.
Open to IC Members, USC Researchers, Staff and Students
Simply walk in 10am in the Boardroom – complimentary coffee & danishes. 1st Tuesday of every month.
Our Facilitator
Claire Smith? |??? Expert in Residence, Innovation Centre
“My aim is to help Australian innovation companies create cash flow, and successfully reach their goals through my company’s work with the Startup community.“
Claire Smith has been building businesses in Australia and the UK for the last 30 years. She is currently the Managing Director of Forbes Meisner Pty Ltd. Her specialist areas are R&D administration & project planning, troubleshooting, business development & communication.In her spare time, she writes and produces film and TV scripts and chairs a local voluntary organisation. She is a board member of the Animal Ethics Committee at USC and she resides in Nambour. Claire is passionate about innovation and assisting individuals and companies to realise their goals.
Event Partners
‘This project is supported by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science through Incubator Support initiative funding as part of the Entrepreneurs’ Programme’.
Frequently Asked Question
Who can attend?
This event is for Innovation Centre Members, USC Researchers, Staff and USC Students.
Where shall I park?
USC Sunshine Coast is a regulated parking area Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm all year (excluding public holidays). Visitors can pay for casual parking via one of the Ticketless Parking Meters located around campus.
- Enter your vehicle’s registration number and select car OR motorcycle.
- ?Choose from two options: 4 hours or less (A$3 car; A$2 motorcycle) OR more than 4 hours (A$5 car; A$3 motorcycle)
- ?Pay with coins, Mastercard or Visa. No notes accepted. No change given.
- ?Note your receipt code.
What are the public transport options?
Sunbus runs regular bus services between various Sunshine Coast locations and the University’s campus at Sippy Downs. Information on Sunbus routes and timetables can be found on the TransLink Journey Planner website. Use the journey planner to find times and services that suit you.
Time
(Tuesday) 10:00 am - 11:00 am (GMT+10)
Organizer
The Innovation Centreic@mobile.001buy.com.cn
05feb9:30 am11:30 amSpeak for Impact - What do you do? Your elevator and Gaddie pitch
Event Details
What do you do? Your elevator and Gaddie pitch Whether you are presenting at a conference; negotiating with clients or networking at functions, it is imperative that you can say what
Event Details
What do you do? Your elevator and Gaddie pitch
Whether you are presenting at a conference; negotiating with clients or networking at functions, it is imperative that you can say what you do clearly, concisely and compellingly.
In this workshop, you will create your elevate pitch and be able to clearly articulate the problem you solve, how you solve it and be able to validate what you do. The intent is to compose and practise it so it sounds conversational.
Open to IC Members, USC Researchers, Staff and Students
Please note IC Members, USC Students, Staff and Reseachers can register for free. USC Students, Staff and Reseachers please register with your USC email address to validate.
Our Facilitator
Robyn Pulman? |??? Public speaking & presentation skills coach
“When you engage me to develop your speaking skills, you benefit from my extensive corporate experience in senior international marketing positions working throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa.”
I’ve spoken at dozens of conferences, run hundreds of workshops and helped thousands of people ‘find their voice’, refine their pitch, present their proposal, lead their team, present for impact and even make peace with their partner. When you engage me to develop your speaking skills, you benefit from my extensive corporate experience in senior international marketing positions working throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa. You also benefit from my business and personal coaching background extending more than twenty-five years – focusing on leadership, communication and personal mastery. I have also assisted a number of high performing IC members participating in the accelerator programs.
What makes Robyn unique?
Clients say that I cut through their emotional and mental clutter and help them distill their thinking so they can communicate concisely and compellingly. When you work with me, it is not just about words and expertise; it is about helping you find your voice and your authenticity; encouraging you to speak up and speak your truth; exploring the emotion behind your message and delivering it in a manner that is unique to you. It is as much about who you are as what you say – Robyn Pulman.
What others say?
The sheer scope of your experience means you are able to provide skills for every occasion where clear communication and presentation are required – ie life! It is so exciting to not just dream of the wonderful opportunities these skills might present me with, but to now formulate a clear plan of action as to how to make this a reality! Michelle Piccini – Veterinarian
Robyn is a perfectly poised powerhouse. It was all ‘such’ an experience.
Robyn’s direction and encouragement had us all reaching heights we didn’t know we had in us. I had just been in the mood to just ‘sit under her instruction’ and soak in her knowledge …but she wasn’t having a bar of it
Lynda Rumble – Principal Aviation company
Event Partners
‘This project is supported by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science through Incubator Support initiative funding as part of the Entrepreneurs’ Programme’.
Frequently Asked Question
Who can attend?
This event is for Innovation Centre Members, USC Researchers, Staff and USC Students.
Where shall I park?
USC Sunshine Coast is a regulated parking area Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm all year (excluding public holidays). Visitors can pay for casual parking via one of the Ticketless Parking Meters located around campus.
- Enter your vehicle’s registration number and select car OR motorcycle.
- ?Choose from two options: 4 hours or less (A$3 car; A$2 motorcycle) OR more than 4 hours (A$5 car; A$3 motorcycle)
- ?Pay with coins, Mastercard or Visa. No notes accepted. No change given.
- ?Note your receipt code.
What are the public transport options?
Sunbus runs regular bus services between various Sunshine Coast locations and the University’s campus at Sippy Downs. Information on Sunbus routes and timetables can be found on the TransLink Journey Planner website. Use the journey planner to find times and services that suit you.
Time
(Wednesday) 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Organizer
The Innovation Centreic@mobile.001buy.com.cn
06feb7:00 pm9:00 pmLooking for guidance in SEO, SEM, Social?
Event Details
I've been a member of similar groups in other cities where I lived since 2012 and enjoyed seeing it being effective and really like a group of like minded people. We
Event Details
I’ve been a member of similar groups in other cities where I lived since 2012 and enjoyed seeing it being effective and really like a group of like minded people.
We would like to establish a similar meetup group on Sunshine Coast where accomplished SEO specialists can come and share their experiences and those only starting receive help and guidance.
Time
(Thursday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Organizer
11feb10:00 am1:00 pmFacebook Advertising Workshop
Event Details
To become a great Facebook Marketer, you have to truly
Event Details
To become a great Facebook Marketer, you have to truly master the nuances of the platform, and leverage industry vetted best practices.
In this hands on Bootcamp, you’ll discover how to go beyond just boosting posts by leveraging Custom Audiences and advanced Bidding Strategies. You’ll also learn how to properly measure and optimize your campaigns using both the Facebook pixel and other measurement platforms.
Takeaways
? Learn how to execute measurable and impactful Facebook campaigns which drive ROI and Awareness for your business.
? Create engaging ads by discovering best practices for creative and copy.
? Understand how to bidding works, and learn strategies for getting the most out of your budget.
? Gain a full understanding of all targeting capabilities, including Custom and Lookalike Audiences.
? Learn how to properly track your Sales Funnel, and leverage Retargeting campaigns to increase conversions.
? Best practices for Reporting, and areas of Optimization
Prereqs & Preparation
Please note this is an introductory workshop, no previous experience or preparation needed. Please bring your laptop to class.
Time
(Tuesday) 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
11feb12:00 pm1:30 pmBoardroom Briefing - Digital Health
Event Details
Understand the tools, processes and procedures to gain practical steps to take back to your business. In today’s highly internet dependent business world, security of your company’s information is vital. In
Event Details
Understand the tools, processes and procedures to gain practical steps to take back to your business.
In today’s highly internet dependent business world, security of your company’s information is vital. In this briefing we will be looking at digital health, security and how to build a strong foundation to enable business growth.
We will be exploring the responsibilities of board members from decision making on effective software to budgeting. Business decision makers don’t need to be technical experts, but they do need to be leaders.
We’ll help you identify key areas of your business that can be secured, weaknesses in your current set up, how it can be safely tested, how these holes can be plugged and improve business productivity.
Time
(Tuesday) 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Organizer
The Innovation Centreic@mobile.001buy.com.cn
19feb9:30 am11:30 amSpeak for Impact - Networking know-how; how to network for success
Event Details
Networking know-how; how to network for success Your network is your net worth. Quite simply, we do business with people we know like and trust. At the end of this workshop, you
Event Details
Networking know-how; how to network for success
Your network is your net worth.
Quite simply, we do business with people we know like and trust. At the end of this workshop, you will have established where, when and why to network as well as understand six essential rules for networking etiquette. You will know how to work any crowd, regardless of how ‘shy’ you feel and learn priceless follow-up techniques.
Open to IC Members, USC Researchers, Staff and Students
Please note IC Members, USC Students, Staff and Reseachers can register for free. USC Students, Staff and Reseachers please register with your USC email address to validate.
Our Facilitator
Robyn Pulman? |??? Public speaking & presentation skills coach
“When you engage me to develop your speaking skills, you benefit from my extensive corporate experience in senior international marketing positions working throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa.”
I’ve spoken at dozens of conferences, run hundreds of workshops and helped thousands of people ‘find their voice’, refine their pitch, present their proposal, lead their team, present for impact and even make peace with their partner. When you engage me to develop your speaking skills, you benefit from my extensive corporate experience in senior international marketing positions working throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa. You also benefit from my business and personal coaching background extending more than twenty-five years – focusing on leadership, communication and personal mastery. I have also assisted a number of high performing IC members participating in the accelerator programs.
What makes Robyn unique?
Clients say that I cut through their emotional and mental clutter and help them distill their thinking so they can communicate concisely and compellingly. When you work with me, it is not just about words and expertise; it is about helping you find your voice and your authenticity; encouraging you to speak up and speak your truth; exploring the emotion behind your message and delivering it in a manner that is unique to you. It is as much about who you are as what you say – Robyn Pulman.
What others say?
The sheer scope of your experience means you are able to provide skills for every occasion where clear communication and presentation are required – ie life! It is so exciting to not just dream of the wonderful opportunities these skills might present me with, but to now formulate a clear plan of action as to how to make this a reality! Michelle Piccini – Veterinarian
Robyn is a perfectly poised powerhouse. It was all ‘such’ an experience.
Robyn’s direction and encouragement had us all reaching heights we didn’t know we had in us. I had just been in the mood to just ‘sit under her instruction’ and soak in her knowledge …but she wasn’t having a bar of it
Lynda Rumble – Principal Aviation company
Event Partners
‘This project is supported by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science through Incubator Support initiative funding as part of the Entrepreneurs’ Programme’.
Frequently Asked Question
Who can attend?
This event is for Innovation Centre Members, USC Researchers, Staff and USC Students.
Where shall I park?
USC Sunshine Coast is a regulated parking area Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm all year (excluding public holidays). Visitors can pay for casual parking via one of the Ticketless Parking Meters located around campus.
- Enter your vehicle’s registration number and select car OR motorcycle.
- ?Choose from two options: 4 hours or less (A$3 car; A$2 motorcycle) OR more than 4 hours (A$5 car; A$3 motorcycle)
- ?Pay with coins, Mastercard or Visa. No notes accepted. No change given.
- ?Note your receipt code.
What are the public transport options?
Sunbus runs regular bus services between various Sunshine Coast locations and the University’s campus at Sippy Downs. Information on Sunbus routes and timetables can be found on the TransLink Journey Planner website. Use the journey planner to find times and services that suit you.
Time
(Wednesday) 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Organizer
The Innovation Centreic@mobile.001buy.com.cn
26feb7:00 pm9:00 pmSunshine Coast Emerging Tech Meetup - The Future of Bionics
Event Details
Coinciding with the Bionics Queensland Challenge 2020 we are super excited to share what the future of bionics looks like for humankind. This month we are diving into the world of
Event Details
Coinciding with the Bionics Queensland Challenge 2020 we are super excited to share what the future of bionics looks like for humankind.
This month we are diving into the world of bionics with Dr Robyn Stokes – Board Director and Interim CEO of Bionics Queensland.
Lets face it, those sci-fi movies have set the expectations for bionics high and although we haven’t quite reached the Six Million Dollar Man, advances in bionics have already had a huge impact on the lives of those with a disability, illness or anyone needing an ‘upgrade’ to enhance quality of life.
With the bionics industry continually growing from vision, hearing, orthopedics and implants to robotic exoskeletons we are moving towards a human-machine hybrid, and it is a gamechanger.
Dr Robyn Stokes will also be talking about how you can participate in the Bionics Queensland Challenge 2020. The challenge will see three teams share $150,000 in prize money and participate in a program of expert mentoring to help fast-track their ground-breaking innovations and research across bionic mobility, bionic senses and neural and AI-enabled bionics.
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
27feb4:30 pm6:00 pmIC Thursday Open House February
Event Details
IC Thursday Open House February 27th @ 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm You are invited to our Monthly Thursday Drinks. Join us for our open house
Event Details
IC Thursday Open House
February 27th @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
You are invited to our Monthly Thursday Drinks.
Join us for our open house drinks and pitches. Once a month we open our doors to the community to?give everyone a chance to drop in, meet the founders and entrepreneurs who run the Startups that call The Innovation Centre home. Take a tour, walk through our venue and make some new connections.
The event is informal yet a great opportunity to pitch your startup to a captured audience. We have time for approximately 5 Startup Pitches each Thursday, so put your hand up when you arrive if you are keen to stand up and pitch to the group.? This is a formal invitation to our monthly open house celebrations. Take a tour around the Sunshine Coast’s biggest startup community, speak with high growth QLD-based tech startups over a drink.
RSVP? so we can be well-stocked.
Frequently Asked Question
Where shall I park?
USC Sunshine Coast is a regulated parking area Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm all year (excluding public holidays). Visitors can pay for casual parking via one of the Ticketless Parking Meters located around campus.
- Enter your vehicle’s registration number and select car OR motorcycle.
- ?Choose from two options: 4 hours or less (A$3 car; A$2 motorcycle) OR more than 4 hours (A$5 car; A$3 motorcycle)
- ?Pay with coins, Mastercard or Visa. No notes accepted. No change given.
- ?Note your receipt code.
What are the public transport options?
Sunbus runs regular bus services between various Sunshine Coast locations and the University’s campus at Sippy Downs. Information on Sunbus routes and timetables can be found on the TransLink Journey Planner website. Use the journey planner to find times and services that suit you.
Time
(Thursday) 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm GMT+10
Organizer
The Innovation Centreic@mobile.001buy.com.cn
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