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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2017-07-05 Daily Xml
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Entrepreneurs Week

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (14:38): My question is to the Minister for Science and Information Economy. Can the minister inform the chamber about the activities being offered through Entrepreneurs Week 2017?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:38): I thank the honourable member for his question. He is, of course, himself a noted entrepreneur in many respects. Entrepreneurs Week 2017 is running this week from 3 to 7 July.

The Hon. S.G. Wade interjecting:

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: I thank the Hon. Stephen Wade for his outburst of ignorance again. Entrepreneurs Week is running from 3 to 7 July and is an excellent opportunity for South Australian entrepreneurs to connect with mentors, industry leaders and other entrepreneurs from around the world. South Australians, more than ever before, are exploring new horizons to diversify their businesses and to learn new skills, and our state's entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to gain recognition for its creativity, positive thinking and reform.

Over the week, South Australia's rich entrepreneurial system will be showcased. This will include opportunities to highlight the wide range of government programs that support our state's entrepreneurs. This year's program includes events that explore immersive technologies and workspaces, ecosystem leadership, social entrepreneurship and how South Australia is continuing to support this community.

Each year, the events over this week get stronger, and this year's program looks set to be the biggest yet. When it comes to entrepreneurship, there really is something for everyone in this area, and I would like to touch on a few of the events that are on offer. With the state enjoying a surge in the number of high-tech start-ups, TechInSA is presenting High-Tech & Connect. The event will provide an opportunity for participants to engage with a panel of experts providing insights into the highs and lows of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Pitch to Collaborate is an event for entrepreneurs, including intrapreneurs, social entrepreneurs and innovators, which is being co-hosted by Wendy Perry from Workforce BluePrint and Mark Keough of Meechi Road Consulting. Collaboration with others is key if your business is to reach beyond state borders, let alone the world. The Pitch to Collaborate event will assist participants to recognise that collaboration and information sharing is an important mindset for any budding entrepreneur.

The state's higher education sector is involved with the university sector in hosting a range of events across the week. Also, Women in Innovation will launch the 2017 Winnovation Awards, a fantastic initiative that recognises the outstanding contribution that women in South Australia are providing to accelerate innovation in a wide range of areas. The Innovation and Collaboration Centre is delivering a business planning workshop as part of the Start Smart Series. The centre is partnering with Business Models Inc. to deliver workshops that are designed to explore aspects of what is required to create a successful start-up.

Perhaps the premier event of the week, as it has been in previous years, is the SouthStart conference, which runs over two days. I understand last year's event attracted 550 delegates, 42 exhibitors and 25 local, interstate and international speakers. This year's conference is similarly large in scope and is designed to grow the entrepreneurial culture in this state by encouraging more people to become entrepreneurs, and it looks like it might even be bigger this year. Entrepreneurs Week is an exciting time for our state's burgeoning entrepreneurial ecosystem, and I encourage all people in South Australia who have an interest to get involved this week.

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