5th-6th June 2023
Grow your business, find new customers and hire more people.
Join a select cohort of small and medium business peers for two days of focused work on your business run by successful entrepreneurs and venture investors.
Limited Spaces
"The SME-22 workshop brought together a challenging cross-section of participants who were already established in business - some successfully for many years. This creates a totally different dynamic in the room compared with new businesses or startups."
We were able to quickly achieve mutual trust and respect enabling us to pose and resolve problems together. Teaching new methods to established business operators runs the risk of rejection (know it all already, tried it before and failed etc). It is a credit to the organisers that participants really did gain new knowledge and perspectives including me! It was also terrific fun!
"The event was great the participants were all keen and focused to share straight away. The facilitators where really responsive and engaged, with amazing energy. It was also really great to see how innovative and creative business' are in our region."
"CBRIN's SME Accelerator is perfect for business owners who haven't completed any previous business training. The CBRIN team will step you through a range of business fundamentals, encourage you to step out of your comfort zone, and challenge you to improve and innovate your business practices. If you're eager to grow your business capability then this is the program for you!"
"CBRIN and Craig did an excellent job, and really enjoyed the way different team members were involved"
"A great opportunity to network with other local businesses and to take the opportunity to get outside of your day to day running and focus on working on the business instead of in it."
"Great panels and facilitators with real world experience and a good introduction to the ACT landscape."
Be inspired and engage in a motivational and collaborative atmosphere. Participate in workshops, coaching, mentoring, experience sharing and networking.
Commit to design and delivery of continuous improvements in your business that will see you find new customers, enhance your competitive advantage and grow your team.
Over the two days, you will get to network and hear from Canberra's most successful entrepreneurs on how they overcame roadblocks, adopted innovation and grew their business in Australia and globally. They will share their insights as a panel, on attracting capital, growing a world-class team, sales success and exiting.
Anne-Marie Perret is an angel investor, mentor and incredible fountain of knowledge in the innovation space. Anne-Marie has a plethora of business experience specialising in research and development funding and governance, investment and business growth.
Sylvia is a materials scientist with a special focus on renewable energy and commercialization. She was cofounder and MD of ASX listed Dyesol, is currently chairing ASX listed Zeotech and is a director/chairman of several startups, as well as the Griffin Accelerator, Canberra startup accelerator.
Sharyn is an enthusiastic advocate for innovation and entrepreneurship that changes lives for the better.
She has had a long and accomplished career of over 20 years in both the public and private sectors and was at the forefront of the development of the ACT Government’s innovation grant program, Innovation Connect (ICON) which has run successfully for over 10 years and has helped more than 200 companies and projects
Michele works with Significant Capital Venture and has over 20 years national and international early-stage venture capital management experience, managing three early-stage venture capital funds, investing in start-ups in a wide range of sectors, with some originating from deep university IP and others from independent founders all sharing common ground as innovative businesses with global disruption potential.
Harold is a highly resilient entrepreneur founding multiple businesses in his career with several successful business exits across a range of industry sectors. He is a mobile payment industry pioneer and has a track record of bringing multiple first-to-market, innovative and disruptive services to market in Australian and internationally.
Craig Davis is General Manager Growth Programs at the Canberra Innovation Network. His early career was in physics research, then he worked in the department of defence before co-founding a successful startup. Over the last decade he has mentored, supported and run programs for hundreds of founders and business leaders. He has a particular interest in empowering business leaders to build their entrepreneurial strength to better achieve their goals.
James is Director and Chief Investment Officer at Epicorp. He is an experienced CFO and Board Director, currently providing CFO advisory services to early-stage, fast growth companies and serving on the boards of Racing & Sports (ASX: RTH) and Lava Blue. His previous experience includes CFO of ArchTIS (ASX:AR9), CFO of Seeing Machines Ltd (AIM:SEE), as an audit partner at Ernst & Young . James is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. James holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from Manchester University.
Hannah is an experienced innovation programs facilitator, service designer and design thinking practitioner. Currently Innovation Program Manager at the Canberra Innovation Network, she is responsible for the Griffin Accelerator program and online delivery of accelerator workshops and sessions. Prior to this, she has experience as a business analyst and service designer working for Commonwealth Treasury and MXA Consulting.
Irene has been a crucial part of the Canberra Innovation Network for four years. Her workshops and contribution to entrepreneurs and researchers have helped many projects and businesses to grow and benefit through innovation methods.
She is a highly skilled facilitator and program manager. Irene is ranked by the CSIRO ON Prime program as one of the most experienced facilitators in Canberra in 2021.
As a business founder, entrepreneur, and investor, Duncan has over 25 years in startups and SMEs. Building companies with offices on two continents and selling products in 23 countries.
Growing his last business from a home garage, competing internationally and being acquired in September 2019.
Duncan now works with the CBRIN Growth team to grow and support businesses in the Canberra region.
Hollie is the founder of a handful of businesses, ranging from physical products to internet based finance software. All of these were initiated as a solution to a problem she had faced. She has deep insights into product development and lean innovation techniques.
Hollie joined Canberra Innovation Network as an experienced business adviser and facilitator. She is highly engaging and an exceptional networker.
With a background in Industrial Design, David has a passion for manufacturing connecting businesses with government opportunities to support growth, innovation and commercialisation. He is a passionate advocate for enabling Australian companies to reach their full potential.
Other presenters will be added closer to the date
David Barbalet - AusIndustry, Regional Manager
Alison Everett - Office of Defence Industry Support
James Robinson - SME Engagement Manager at CSIRO
Daisy Hu - Business Development Advisor at CSIRO R&D
Richard Everson - Growth Facilitator at Business Australia
Robert Holgate - ACT TradeStart Adviser - ACT Government & Austrade
Arthur Pappas - Commercialisation Facilitator Accelerating Commercialisation
Liz Kobold - Business Australia
Michael Phillips - Regional CBRIN
“The accelerator program from CBRIN has given our organisation great insight. CBRIN is one of the best innovation initiatives around.”
Salman, Founder
BluBee
Obligation free application.
Program numbers are limited to 20 companies.
Highly subsidised for qualifying businesses
Two Days on the 5th and 6th of June 2023
Highly subsodised fee to attend if selected $350 per person
Normally $3000 per person
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the ACT, the Ngunnawal people. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
Open from 9:00 AM TO 5:00 PM
on WORKING DAYS
© 2021. CBR Innovation Network Limited