REDLANDS entrepreneurs are pushing for the city to become an innovation hub.
Redland Innovation Advisory Group co-chairman John Burkett said they hoped to create a centre of excellence in specific focus areas like smart cities for maturing populations and smart transport solutions.
Speaking to the Redland City Chamber of Commerce, Mr Burkett said elected representatives and council should drive efforts.
“We run the risk of missing out if we’re not careful,” he said.
“If it doesn’t happen here, it’ll happen somewhere else.”
RIAG was formed to advise Redland City Council on spending an Advancing Regional Innovation Program grant.
However Mr Burkett said they do much more, offering financial and mentoring help to business people.
RIAG’s programs include Startup Redlands, which helps people wanting to start businesses and holds events for people to pitch to investors, and Redlands Angels, who are investors looking for opportunities and providing mentoring.
“Like any good entrepreneur, we immediately decided to expand our remit and offer material and direct help,” Mr Burkett said.
“We are like a real life version of the Shark Tank (television show) – and much nicer.”
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Mr Burkett said angel investment was not just about money but about learning and mentoring.
“Investors are in it for return but also to give something back,” he said.
Startup Redlands co-founder Darrenn Medhurst said there were amazing entrepreneurs like Steve Baxter, of the Shark Tank television series, living in the Redlands.
Mr Medhurst said that he was tired of people referring to the Redlands negatively as the end of the train line.
“Instead it should be the destination where everyone wants to go,” Mr Medhurst said.
He said Startup Redlands wanted to build an innovation ecosystem in the Redlands by celebrating local heroes and supporting local innovation.
Mr Burkett said pitches to Startup Redlands had included an opportunity for parents to occupy children over the school holidays and an automated system for carrying loads on cranes.
“A lot is IT based but there is a huge variety,” he said.
Mr Burkett said they were looking for more angel investors and wanted local innovative businesses and start ups to know help and support were available.
For more information visit redlandsangels.com.au.
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