Turbocharge your ideas at the Rockhampton SmartHub and go global!

Published on 04 March 2019

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Start-ups with a modern business idea could be pitching their product to investors in Austin Texas or Silicon Valley by May next year, thanks to a new $770,000 incubator program being rolled out from Rockhampton’s SmartHub.

Turbo-Traction Lab is an 80 day workshop designed to allow both fulltime and part-time founders build their business to gain traction in their global market with hands-on assistance from world-class experts in residence.

The program is thanks to a $500,000 Federal Government incubator grant, $116,000 from Council plus in-kind support worth $77,000, and a generous contribution of $77,000 from Rocky expat and technology entrepreneur Bevan Slattery.

Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said the Rockhampton SmartHub was just one of four incubators in the country to receive funding during the latest round of offers.

“I would like to congratulate Rockhampton Regional Council for putting forward a very attractive funding submission which I am pleased to announce was successful under the Australian Government’s $23 million Incubator Support initiative,” Ms Landry said.

“This initiative is important in developing Australia’s innovation ecosystem, which I am thrilled to see is absolutely thriving in Rockhampton since the SmartHub opened,” Ms Landry said.

“I am always excited to see new job opportunities in CQ and the Smarthub is delivering just that by helping entrepreneurs break out of the mould and start their own businesses.”

Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow said the program is designed for an intimate group of 25 to 45 startups with validated ideas for international markets.

“The Turbo-Traction Lab is not a standard education program consisting of simple presentations and ‘what to do’ lists. It is a hands-on, workshop style program delivered with a ‘lab’ mindset, where participants will be given practical guidance,” Mayor Strelow said.

“It will be coordinated and run by an entrepreneur in residence and further facilitated by a number of well-connected, world-class subject experts.

“One of the criteria to be successful for this grant program was to receive third party support, so we are extremely grateful for Bevan’s $77,000 contribution, and of course the Federal Government’s funding which allows us to deliver this wonderful program right here in Rockhampton."

In addition to his substantial financial contribution, technology entrepreneur Bevan Slattery said he is keen to continue supporting the Turbo Traction Lab program in any way he can.

“I think it’s fantastic Rockhampton Regional Council is doing everything it can in supporting startup businesses and I am thrilled to see Federal money backing this initiative,” Mr Slattery said.

“I am looking forward to seeing if there are other ways I can contribute to this initiative and wish the project every success.”

The 10-module program content will be delivered across a series of scheduled full-day workshops held over a number of weeks. The program delivery is designed and structured to cater for both full time entrepreneurs as well as founders with a ‘side-hustle’.

It is expected that upon the successful completion of this incubator program, startups will have significant market traction and be generating enough revenue to fuel the ongoing growth of their business.

Participants have the option of signing up to the Turbo Traction Lab program in April and August 2019 or February 2020.

For more information contact the SmartHub on 4936 8444 or Smarthub@rrc.qld.gov.au.