Hub Sydney 30 Tank Stream Labs 30 10 The Ventura 3* Stone and Chalk –* Tyro unknown *taking applications Accelerators and incubators Of the estimated 22 accelerators or incubators in Australia, about 10 are located in the city. They offer intensive investment and support (most in return for equity). For example, Australian Technology Park hosts ATP Innovations, Australia’s leading technology business incubator, established in 2006. ATP Innovations hosts accelerators Startmate and Ignition Labs. ATP Innovations won the 2014 Incubator of the Year and Technology Incubator of the Year 2014 awards from international industry leader, the National Business Incubation Association. The Economist has also ranked Startmate as one of the leading accelerators.61 BlueChilli, Incubate, muru-D, and Sydney Founder Institute are also in the city. The map on page 26 gives an indication of the number of startups housed by accelerators, incubators and co-working spaces in the city. In the city Incubator Number of startups housed** ATP Innovations 60 BlueChilli 36 In the city Accelerator Number of startups per year** Sydney Founder Institute 27 BlueChilli 24 INCUBATE 16 H2 Ventures 10
18 Actions 1 Build the entrepreneurial culture and community What will we do? How will we do it? Which partners do we need to make it happen? Type of action Help the ecosystem create data, and report on the economic, cultural and social impact of entrepreneurs and tech startups 1.1 Work with entrepreneurs and organisations in the tech startup ecosystem to develop and undertake research that establishes baseline data and enables reporting over time Tech startup ecosystem Educational institutions Now New City programs, services and/or events Increase awareness of Sydney’s entrepreneurs and tech startup, ecosystem to increase the number of people engaging and investing in startups 1.2 Create a tech startup festival or events that encourage members of the community – particularly women – to become entrepreneurs, and that celebrate and promote the tech startup ecosystem. Examples include a Startup Spring Festival, Startup Walkabout and Startup Weekend, or an event similar to Berlin’s Long Night of Startups Tech startup ecosystem Now New City programs, services and/or events
1.7 Investigate a central platform that delivers information and resources to – and promotes awareness of – Sydney’s tech startup ecosystem NSW Government Tech startup ecosystem Next New City programs, services and/or events 1.8 Formally acknowledge the contribution of entrepreneurs and other members of the tech startup ecosystem, for example, through a Sydney innovation or young entrepreneur award Ongoing New City programs, services and/or events 1.9 Promote startups as a career option to university students, for example, by holding a startup careers fair Tech startup ecosystem Universities Next New City programs, services and/or events Partner with other startup champions to increase support for tech startups and position Sydney as a global tech startup city 1.10 Work with other capital cities, StartupAUS and other members of the ecosystem to create a strong and coordinated advocacy group that increases government focus on and support for tech startups Next Advocacy, facilitation and/or coordination
1.11 Devise an advocacy campaign that enables the Lord Mayor and Councillors to promote the merits of entrepreneurs and the value of the tech startup ecosystem, and to be active participants the ecosystem Now Advocacy, facilitation and/or coordination 1.12 Consider establishing an advisory panel on tech startups to help the City determine other opportunities for supporting startups, and ensure information is shared between industry and Council (similar to the Retail Advisory Panel) Tech startup ecosystem Next New City programs, services and/or events 1.13 Ensure the ecosystem is included in Sydney’s international marketing and engagement campaigns NSW Government Ongoing Changes to existing City programs, services and/or events 1.14 Continue to work collaboratively with the NSW Government to realise the objectives of its Industry Action where they relate to tech startups. NSW Government Ongoing Advocacy, facilitation and/or coordination 1.15 Ensure the City of Sydney Digital Strategy acknowledges the value of entrepreneurs and opportunities to support the growth of the tech startup ecosystem Now Changes to existing City programs, services and/or events
Ensure women are represented, with a goal of 50%, when the City creates programs or sponsors industry activities 2.2 Create a visiting entrepreneurs program, and investigate partnerships with other Australian cities to secure international entrepreneurs Brisbane Marketing City of Melbourne Tech startup ecosystem Now New City programs, services and/or events Increase business education, entrepreneurial skills and access to mentors and networks, and foster an entrepreneurial culture 2.3 Implement the Knowledge Exchange Sponsorship Program or develop new projects that: enable expertise to be shared and skills to be developed within the startup ecosystem, via education and networking events such as SydStart provide practical business education relevant to entrepreneurs – for example, by facilitating Tech startup ecosystem Now New City programs, services and/or events
2.4 Investigate creating an Entrepreneurs in Residence program, where the City engages a successful startup founder to help startup founders in leading incubators and accelerators Tech startup ecosystem Changes to existing City programs, services and/or events Increase business education, entrepreneurial skills and access to mentors and networks, and foster an entrepreneurial culture 2.5 Enable the City’s landmark and community venues to be used by the tech startup ecosystem (including businesses) for educational or networking events at a reduced rate or free of charge Now Changes to existing City programs, services and/or events 2.6 Investigate creating an Entrepreneurs Grant Program to help technology entrepreneurs, particularly women, gain skills, build networks and launch companies Next Changes to existing City programs, services and/or events
3 Increase density of the tech startup ecosystem Tank Stream Labs co-working space, tankstreamlabs.com What will we do? How will we do it? Which partners do we need to make it happen? Timeframe Type of action Investigate the creation of an Entrepreneurship Centre 3.1 Work with partners to establish the need in Sydney for a point – of significant density – for activities and events, which also provides a base for businesses, accelerators, incubators, VC firms and angel investors Determine whether a focal point is beneficial, and how existing resources could be expanded to create this or if a new facility is required Investigate innovative funding models to enable the creation of this Entrepreneurship Centre ATP Innovations Universities and federal government Tech startup ecosystem Next Infrastructure Use planning regulations to encourage more innovation spaces and/or affordable office spaces 3.2 Consider using voluntary planning agreements and planning zoning to encourage more short- or innovation spaces (including co-working facilities and affordable office spaces) where tech startups are currently clustered Now Changes to City regulatory processes or planning systems term
Create affordable work spaces 3.3 Provide affordable rental which is accessible to entrepreneurs in tech startups where the City considers it to be a creative enterprise Ongoing Infrastructure 3.4 Review the Grants and Sponsorship program and guidelines to ensure streamlined processes and communications, refined key performance indicators, and appropriate use of properties (by function and location) to ensure program outcomes are maximised for the City and the tech startup ecosystem Now Infrastructure 3.5 Work with the private sector, universities and other local stakeholders to investigate how to make office accommodation – with access to suitable digital infrastructure – available for entrepreneurs in tech startups on an affordable rental or ‘in residence’ basis, particularly in areas where tech startups are currently clustered Educational institutions Tech startup ecosystem Property owners Large companies Next New City programs, services and/or events 3.6 Investigate the opportunities for partnership with educational institutions and other appropriate Educational institutions Tech startup ecosystem Next Advocacy, facilitation and/or coordination
4 Support technology entrepreneurs’ access to funding What will we do? How will we do it? Which partners do we need to make it happen? Timeframe Type of action Increase the number of informed investors 4.1 Implement the Knowledge Exchange Sponsorship Program or create new projects to support: angel investor associations or other members of the tech startup ecosystem to hold investor recruitment education events industry events that celebrate and educate others about innovative capital raising startups – particularly companies and led by women – to connect with investors. Springboard Enterprises is one example Sydney Angels AngelEd Angel Education Australia Scale Investors Springboard Enterprises Tech startup ecosystem Now New City programs, services and/or events
5 Develop technology entrepreneurs’ access to markets Ben Richardson, Dave Greiner, Cofounders, campaignmonitor.com What will we do? How will we do it? Which partners do we need to make it happen? Timeframe Type of action Encourage more opportunities for entrepreneurs to increase business 5.1 Leverage the City’s sister-city relationship with San Francisco and Guangzhou to strengthen knowledge and investment exchange San Francisco City and County Office of Economic and Workforce Development Guangzhou Municipal Government NSW Government Next Changes to existing City programs, services and/or events 5.2 Investigate increasing the number of Sydney-based companies the Advance Innovation program supports and boosting its impact Advance Innovation Next New City programs, services and/or events 5.3 Implement the City’s Knowledge Exchange Sponsorship Program or create partnerships to support Hannover Fairs Tech startup Ongoing Changes to existing City programs, services and/or
events and activities that allow Sydney’s entrepreneurs to showcase their company to potential consumers or investors – like CeBIT StartUp, for example. ecosystem events 5.4 Act as a relationship broker, sharing information and connecting entrepreneurs with City stakeholders that could be potential consumers or investors Tech startup ecosystem Ongoing Changes to existing City programs, services and/or events Encourage more opportunities for startups to become suppliers to the City through its procurement practices 5.5 Review our policies and procedures and establish tech startup procurement guidelines if it seems these are relevant to tech entrepreneurs Investigate if a City of Sydney ‘Procurement 101’ information session is of interest and relevant to tech entrepreneurs, to educate them on how to apply for City requests for tender Tech startup ecosystem Next Changes to existing City programs, services and/or events Open up the City’s data resources to spark ideas and tools 5.6 Consider funding competitions or development labs that create technology solutions to City Tech startup ecosystem Next New City programs, services and/or events
22 Engagement A strategic approach to community consultation ensured the City was informed by the community about the challenges and opportunities facing the Sydney tech startup ecosystem and the role the City could take in addressing them. This was important in both developing the draft action plan and during the public exhibition of the document. The community engagement during this time ensured that members of the Sydney tech startup ecosystem were informed about the draft action plan and encouraged to provide comments which would inform the City’s final plan. The City engaged the community via events, briefings, advertising, printed materials, media, social media and the Sydney Your Say website. The draft action plan was on public exhibition from 18 August to 11 November 2015. The community had the opportunity to comment on the draft plan by completing a survey, participating in an online discussion forum or emailing a submission. In total, 1,178 people downloaded the action plan and 450 copies were distributed. Feedback was received from 344 people via an online survey and 20 through an online discussion forum while 32 organisations or individuals emailed submissions. The consultation activity reached the target community as demonstrated in the number and range of participants which included tech startup entrepreneurs, employees and supporters, professionals in corporate businesses, investors, educators and students. The participation of a high number of relevant stakeholders resulted in constructive feedback which demonstrated strong endorsement for the focus areas and specific projects of the draft action plan informing the final Tech Startups Action Plan. A report on the Tech Startups Action Plan Consultation Results is available at Input was received by many individuals and organisations including those listed below, and we will continue to consult them, and others, as we implement the plan. ABC Abun Aeona AIESEC Amazon Web Services Applicative Arney Recruitment Artesian Atlassian ATP Innovations Aura Coworking Space Australian Computer Society Foundation Australian Government Department of Industry, Accelerating Commercialisation Australian Government NSW/ACT State Office AusIndustry Aykira Bauer Media Be Assured Pty Ltd Binary Investments BlueChilli Bravura Solutions Bugcrowd Camelot Innovations Pty Ltd Canva Capital Good Capital Pitch Carscomm CBA Celox Group Pty Ltd Centerstage HQ PTY LTD CIM Environmental Cinesmith
NETBiT NME Capital Partners NSW Department of Industry NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet Officer Diary Oovvuu Pty Limited OzForex Polinode Pollenizer Posse Progressify Propeller Aerobotics Pureprofile PushStart PwC Australia QFire Software Pty Ltd Ramin Communications Rapporr RecruitHero Red Burlesque, CreativeUnplugged.com and MetOnSet.com RedEye Regional Development Australia-Sydney Inc Reinventure Restart Ronai Services Pty Ltd Rushfaster Sapien Ventures LLP ScribblePost Pty Ltd Sentibit Setchell Technology Consulting SETScope Shape Consulting ShopWings SIRCA Slattery IT Small Builders Social Status Spatial Technologies Speed Date Spike Innovation SPORTSPASS Spot Springboard Enterprises Australia Squareknot Squiz Startmate Startup StartupAUS Strategic Artistry Street Art Walking Studius Stylebase SurveyMonkey Switch Automation Sydney Angels TAFE NSW Tank Stream Labs Tapestry Tapmint TCF Services Pty Ltd Teres Development The New Agency The Sydney Founder Institute Think+DO Tank Thinkbits This Week in Startups Australia TiE Sydney Tinybeans TrustMile U2a it University of New England University of New South Wales University of Sydney University of Technology, Sydney University of Western Sydney University of Wollongong, iAccelerate
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