By Hollie Harris
This year entrepreneurs, businesses and locals from around the Noosa Shire will have access to a special workshop series hosted by Innovate Noosa, and co-ordinated by Junction 2, in the lead-up to one of Queensland’s largest pitch events held at Sunshine Coast’s Innovation Centre on 30 May.
Gary Swanepoel from Junction 2 said the ‘Pitch Like a Pro’ Elevator Pitch Workshop series hopes to encourage a better representation of potential start-ups from Noosa in the pitch competition.
One full day session and two night sessions will be held starting this Saturday 13 May and pitchers should aim to attend all sessions.
Leading entrepreneurs and seasoned pitchers will be available at the workshops to present their experience and help local entrepreneurs fine-tune their pitch deck for potential investors or early customers.
“Our goal is to improve Noosa’s representation at major pitch events. We know there is plenty of talent and innovation locally among people and businesses here. Many already have products and ideas under development, but they often just need a little help to get their pitch right.”
Gary said his own experience winning the BOQ Hackathon in Brisbane earlier this year was a big learning curve in what investors (and customer) are looking for.
“Often people have a great idea under development, but they haven’t been able to execute the “elevator” pitch – to nail what it’s all about in just a few minutes.”
Junction 2 will also help the most suitable entries from Noosa with their video submission, which is required to be submitted to the Innovation Centre before 18 May for entry into the major IC Pitch for Investment event.
The Sunshine Coast Innovation Centre will host Queensland’s Chief Entrepreneur, Mark Sowerby, for the IC Pitch for Investment event at 2pm on 30 May.
“Only seven entries from across the entire Sunshine Coast will be accepted for the IC Pitch for Investment event, attended by up to 80 high net worth local individuals, as well as angel and venture capital fund representatives, a judging panel and other invited guests.”
“It would be great for projects from Noosa to be represented in front of a group like this. But even if they don’t make the cut, having more entrepreneurs in Noosa with a fine-tuned pitch and ready to pitch for investment is a great start,” Gary said.
Noosa will also host the “Noosa Pitches” Networking night on Monday 29 May. This event provides the opportunity for those who attend the workshops to further practice and deliver their pitch to local investors and other businesses. The winner from the “Noosa Pitches” event will then be given the opportunity to pitch at the invite-only investor breakfast on 30 May at Noosa Springs, hosted by Noosa Council and Queensland’s Chief Entrepreneur, Mark Sowerby.
The launch of Innovate Noosa last week gives Noosa a dedicated entity to help accelerate innovation and projects that can help us to grow local investment in the region.
People with a pitch-ready idea can register for the ‘Pitch Like a Pro’ Elevator Pitch Workshops contact Junction 2 on 5347 6010.
