A new mentor program being offered at ANSTO's innovation centre is giving southern Sydney startups a chance to gain insight from some of the best and brightest business and industry minds.
The program is being offered at nandin innovation centre - a deep technology focused hub that enables industry engagement and research translation through design, collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurial learning.
Eleven mentors who have a wide variety of expertise, from global marketers, to business development strategists and social media experts, have so far signed up to offer business and technical advice to entrepreneurs.
ANSTO chief executive Dr Adi Paterson said the mentors "actively support these entrepreneurs as they develop and commercialise products".
"It is a great demonstration of the forward-thinking community we are creating here as part of the ANSTO precinct in southern Sydney," Dr Paterson said.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has forced and reinforced the importance of solution-driven businesses.
"The mentor program helps participants to unlock and build upon essential creative-thinking skills that are solutions orientated."
nandin was established by ANSTO to help entrepreneurs engage with science, technology and industry. It is located in the ANSTO precinct - a globally connected, vibrant and inclusive community where researchers, startups and industries collaborate to deliver inspired solutions for a sustainable world.
Sixteen businesses are now part of the nandin hub, where they benefit from entrepreneurial learning and collaboration, access to office space, hot desks and lab suites across fields such as cyber security, IoT, artificial intelligence and machine-based learning.
ANSTO director innovation and commercialisation Tim Boyle said the mentor program was helping startups and small medium enterprises (SMEs) adjust to COVID-19.
"Our mentors are sharing their knowledge and insights to help these entrepreneurs pivot their business models and build resilience as COVID-19 disrupts our markets and economy," Dr Boyle said.
"As a mentor, our role is to help these startups continue to get their products and solutions market-ready and provide overall business advice, as well as a friendly sounding-board."
With many businesses now working from home, the mentoring program is being delivered online.
Details: To learn more about the nandin business community or mentoring panel click here.
