CenWest Innovate
Developing capabilities and collaborating for business innovation
CenWest Innovate aims to support the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Central West NSW, to encourage interaction between small to medium-sized enterprises and the University, to support business innovation, and to encourage jobs growth in the region.
Our purpose
The mission of CenWest Innovate is to support the development of entrepreneurship, innovation and small business management capacity in Central West NSW by:
- Supporting human, cultural, political, infrastructural and social community capital development
- Supporting facilitating institutions and organisations
- Shaping policy and programs to help build and grow start-ups and further develop growth-focused small businesses.
It will achieve these goals through:
- The CenWest Innovate Events and Workshop Program
- The CenWest Innovate Next Stage Growth Program
- Support for the the Upstairs Incubator
- Provision of tech and business support vouchers.
Workshops and events
Now Online!
Charles Sturt University Innovation Hubs has an amazing line up of events coming in 2021.
See who won the first COVID Challenge! And registrations are opening soon for Challenge #2.
Wagga Wagga High School students, register your interest to participate in Emerge 2021 - Building Skills For the Future.
Stan Grant in conversation with leading water advocate and one of Fortune’s 50 greatest leaders in the world, Mina Guli. Watch this thought provoking and inspired video. Available for a limited time only
View recordings of previous events.
Pop over to our Innovation Hub page to see more on what's in store for 2021!
Next Stage Growth Program
The NSGP is a six-month program to support the development of existing sustainable businesses that want to move to the "next stage" of their development. It includes a range of training activities designed to enhance your entrepreneurship capabilities.
Key growth-related topics are covered, including innovation and opportunity identification; networking and negotiation; target markets; effective selling and communications; digital media; process improvement; financial intelligence; and managing larger teams.
Next Stage Growth Program
TechVouchers
CenWest TechVouchers give you access to Charles Sturt’s tech capabilities and provide match funding of up to $15,000. These require a 1:1 funding co-commitment from businesses.
For example, if a business invests $10,000 they would receive $20,000 worth of research support in return.
To apply, visit industry.nsw.gov.au, fill in the TechVoucher application form and select Charles Sturt as your preferred delivery partner.
Business Development Vouchers
With BDVs, you can access a broader range of non-tech related research capabilities at Charles Sturt.
Business development vouchers do not have the same matched funding requirement as TechVouchers, but require a cash contribution from participating businesses.
Research capabilities which you can access include market research and customer surveys, digital marketing analysis, assistance with brand development, creative industries support, data mining, and statistical analysis.
Search our Charles Sturt capabilities listing (coming soon) and download a BDV application form and guidelines.
What people are saying
The CenWest Innovate Bootcamp was a great opportunity to refocus and recalibrate my business development approach. Meeting like-minded entrepreneurs boosted my enthusiasm and confidence. Witnessing the transformations that took place over a day and a half was pretty inspiring. I would recommend anyone who is looking to get their business off the ground to check out CenWest Innovate’s events.
Events
Workshop resources
| Winning Negotiations in Business Masterclass | View all files |
| Recruitment Masterclass | View all files |
| Public Relations Stakeholder Analysis Masterclass | View all files |
| Starting a Business Bootcamp | Download .zip file |
| Developing Regional Entrepreneurial Ecosystems | Download .zip file |
| Digital Marketing Masterclass | Download .zip file |
| Branding and Target Marketing for Business Success | Download .zip file |
| Pricing Your Products Masterclass | View all files |
| Cybersecurity for SME's | View all files |
| Increasing employee engagement, wellbeing and effectiveness | View all files |
| Speaker Session - Dr Peter Kelly | View all files |
Our partners
Subscribe to the CenWest Innovate mailing list
Join Central West business leaders and business support organisations in developing the Central West Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in our region.
Our team
Professor Mark Morrison
Project Lead
Steven Semmens
Industry Advisor
Our supporters
