The funding would be used to establish a “unique” business accelerator program called “Start-up SydWest” said. Dr Andy Marks, assistant vice-chancellor, WSU.
“Start-ups in Western Sydney experience a lack of local support,” he said.
“Start-up SydWest will fill a gap in this market; unlock the potential for large scale start-up activity in the region; and significantly impact the capacity for innovation in Western Sydney.”
Don Wright, the head of Launch Pad at WSU, said Start-up SydWest would expand on the existing services offered by Launch Pad, by upscaling current activities to deliver increased mentoring, training and commercialisation support to develop new high-tech products and services.
Working across three university campus sites in Penrith, Parramatta and Liverpool, Start-up SydWest would offer services to 30 start-ups – with a focus on supporting businesses in high-growth sectors such as medtech, edu-tech, agri-business and advanced manufacturing
Western Sydney University’s Launch Pad Technology Business Incubator obtained the funds as part the government’s Incubator Support Initiative which aims to assist Australian start-ups in developing the capabilities to achieve commercial success in international markets.
Launch Pad, a one-stop shop business and innovation support program, was established by the university in 2015, in partnership with the state government and a range of corporate sponsors, to drive innovation in Western Sydney and establish the region as a globally competitive tech and innovation hub.
