June 2008 E-Newsletter

WORKSHOP 'GRADS' ON THEIR WAY...

Former participant now a 'Man to Watch'

In his May 2008 newsletter business writer Brad Howarth identified 30 hot entrepreneurs aged 30 and under he considers are worth watching. Prominent on the list was Simon Blyth who created the LX Innovations electronic design company after completing the Workshop in 2004.

Brad Howarth wrote, "Simon Blyth's business is better described as an idea factory. Among its inventions is a device that enables visually impaired people to detect objects in a similar way to a bat, while another monitors vehicles for signs of driver fatigue. A participant in the NSW Enterprise Workshop, Blyth and his team have won awards from the Institute for Engineering and Technology and the Premier's Award of Excellence."

Commenting on his Workshop experience Simon said, "The Workshop provided a practical and start-up focused program that taught us the nuts and bolts of business in real life as opposed to just the theory."

Laurence Crew - talks about his journey from idea to reality

The Orbita mouse started as a university project in 2002 and is now close to hitting the shelves.

I began to commercialise my rotating computer mouse design in 2005. Before leaving my cosy job to throw all my time and savings into the 'crazy invention', I decided to join ATP Innovations and make the most of the facilities they had to offer. I also enrolled in the NSW Enterprise Workshop business planning program.

In this way I learned about business and how to devise a practical, commercial strategy and avoided the mistake of focusing on the technology. The business training helped me apply successfully for a COMET grant through AusIndustry; and receive AusTrade assistance to attend the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in 2007.

I was fortunate to find Sydney based company, Cyber e Sport (www.cyber-e-sport.com), that was already active in the PC peripheral market to share my vision of the mouse. We successfully negotiated a license agreement in 2007 and are now working in earnest to finalise the product for retail launch.

WHERE IDEAS MEET THE MONEY

- Workshop alumni & participants are invited to 'go pitch'

Pitch '08 is a pitching competition for Australian-based projects and businesses to communicate their investment opportunity before an expert panel and an audience of investors.
Pitch '08 will be held at the Powerhouse Museum from 2pm on Saturday, 6 September. Go to www.pitch08.com.au - applications must be received by 7 July.

WINTER PROGRAM

- 2nd & final program for 2008 starts 25 July

Your help is always needed to 'spread the word'
- early bird discount available to 4 July
- Certegy Ezi-pay plan - no interest
- Govt subsidies for eligible participants

Learn how to...

- Assess a business opportunity
- Obtain funding
- Develop a plan for success

4 month part-time Workshop starts 25 July 'hands-on' - practical - mentor-based
Past participants have:

• 'increased turnover 300% & profitability 60%'
• 'raised investment capital'
• 'listed their startup company on the ASX'

Invitation

To attend an information evening to learn how the Workshop Program could help you and your business.

Register for a 'Sample of the Workshop' presentation - Sydney CBD at succeed@enterpriseworkshop.com.au or ph 02 9209 4796 www.enterpriseworkshop.com.au

AUTUMN PROGRAM UPDATE

- the teams - the projects - the mentors

Firequip team: Wayne Collins, Janelle O'Shea, Michael Bailey & Mark Harrison
Mentor: Greg Williams of Executive Essentials

• To expand Firequip's presence in the portable fire extinguisher market by providing a 'one-stop shop' for the supply, installation, routine maintenance and training in the use of portable fire extinguishers.

Resmed team: Scott Englefield, Enrico Brambilla, Alexander Virr, Brett Smith & Amit Jain
Mentor: Dr. Deidre Stewart of Sleep Medicine

• To develop, market and distribute a stand-alone heated CPAP tube for the treatment of sleep apnoea, with a focus on the US market.

Empressa team; Nick Blay, David McCaughey, Syd Carr, Tara Ward & Kanthan Sivanesan
Mentor: Dr. Mike Skalsky of Sci2Rx Pty Ltd

• To develop a plan to attract investment to re-launch an existing medical device company.

Big Splash Media team: Peter Lynch, Dr Peter Winkler, James Tyson & David Houghton
Mentor: Peter Read of Peter Read Consulting

• To use emerging Internet technologies for publishing to create new media channels to connect sellers and buyers on line - with quality content as a point of difference.

Special project: Bruce Kelly, Hans Felden, Toni Perkins, Christina Wihendy & Giulio Campobassi
Mentor: David Minty of Finity Consulting Pty Ltd

• Commercial-in-confidence

FUNDING PROGRAMS FOR SMALL BUSINESS

from...

Major Workshop sponsor, NSW Department of State & Regional Development
- contact John Scilly, Business Development Manager on 02 8843 1117
M 0423 025 198 - john.scilly@business.nsw.gov.au - www.business.nsw.gov.au
to discuss funding opportunities in programs such as: New Export Opportunity Program; Bio Business Program; Australian Technology Showcase.