Digital and tech start-ups and entrepreneurs based in the municipality can now submit expressions of interest for Wyndham council’s innovation hub ‘SPARK’.
The initiative was established to provide support and mentorship opportunities to select businesses, in a collaborative environment.
Businesses who become SPARK members will have access to business training, mentoring opportunities, and a dedicated council officer who will be available to provide support and advice.
More than 80 applications were submitted during SPARK’s first EOI, which led to 14 businesses being offered a place in the SPARK residency program in April.
Tapan Patel is one of the current resident’s and says the opportunity provides access to expertise across multiple levels.
“It has been a very different experience, especially businesses like us, we are covid business…we started 2019/2020 just before or after covid hit us,” Mr Patel said.
“I think the most important thing which I found is a like-minded community where people are in the same stage, they’re looking to grow and sharing their expertise.”
The residents are housed at the innovation hub in an office workspace, a change from their typical home office areas.
“Sharing knowledge, that’s really really valuable, cause we all have gone through the same kind of journey, we have our ups and downs, and the knowledge we share here…that’s priceless,” current resident Shan Rahman said.
“This is where we work together, we share our thoughts and knowledge.”
Samuel Kanagaraj says the innovation hub also opens doors to expand the resident’s networking opportunities for his business.
“As a start up founder, we are busy in building our own ventures, not necessarily network comes as part of the play,” Mr Kanagaraj said.
“What we also do with SPARK, is get in subject matter experts who are industry leaders, who get to come and share their experience as well.
“When we come together and we share our network between us, it helps us in a way to expand a little more, and also learn from a different perspective as well.”
Rehan Saiyed also joined the residency in April, and encouraged people with innovative ideas to consider applying.
“It’s a place where you can explore, and at the same time…put your skills and your abilities on the market,” he said.
The EOI period is now open and closes on 3 August 2022.
www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/sparkhub
