BUDDING entrepreneurs with an idea that would benefit the Western Australian grains industry are encouraged to apply for a scholarship to attend the prestigious Curtin Ignition innovation accelerator program.
This is the fourth time the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has offered the scholarships, which have helped several people develop a range of grains innovations.
The week-long, intensive program, to be run by Curtin University's Business School on August 25-30 in Perth, blends expert clinics, mentoring and networking to help transform ideas into successful business ventures.
Last year's scholarship recipient Ross Eastwood said attending the course was a wonderful experience that generated new ways of thinking about his ag-tech grains business proposal.
"The program was very intense but at the same time very enlightening and helpful," Mr Eastwood said.
"The mentors were really interesting and meeting others in the course and learning from their experiences was also great."
Mr Eastwood is progressing his business proposal for an online one-stop, integrated data management system for harvested grain, to enhance production analysis, marketing options and traceability.
Co-recipient Rhys Haines also found the Curtin Ignition course extremely valuable, enabling him to consider the finer details of his proposal for a data capture and analysis platform to manage and control farm records and information.
"It opened my mind to all the aspects in setting up the business and what would be involved," Mr Haines said.
"The best part was the networking, meeting like-minded people and learning about what they were doing, as well as getting to understand investors and what they were after."
Mr Haines continues to develop his grains business proposal towards commercialisation.
DPIRD grains research and development director Kerry Regan said the scholarships had provided a platform to develop a range of grains innovations over the past three years.
"This tremendous initiative has provided a springboard for fledging entrepreneurs to take their business concepts to reality," Ms Regan said.
"This includes the development of a grains-based infant feed formula, an allergy-friendly snack made from local grains, fruit and vegetables and an organic waste bioconversion system.
"I look forward to learning more about the vision this year's DPIRD Curtin Ignition Scholarship recipients have for their grains industry business ventures."
Applications close Friday, July 5.
p More information contact DPIRD research officer Alex Douglas on 9821 3246 or alex.douglas@dpird.wa.gov.au or visit ignition.curtin.edu.au
