Curtin University’s Ignition program signs up sponsors

Curtin University’s Ignition entrepreneur and innovation program has received sponsorship backing from the West Australian Department of Commerce, the Small Business Development Corporation and information and communications technology company Amcom as the initiative enters its third year.

“We are thrilled to have large industry and government bodies recognising the worth this program provides to participants,” program director Jane Garrett says in a statement.

“The program features a who’s who of everyone and anyone in the start-up, investment and innovation community in Perth and Western Australia. This is reflected by the quality and overwhelming number of applicants we receive and the awards some of the program’s alumni have achieved.”

Program success stories include the founders of Bombora Wave Power and Curtin academic Professor Moyez Jiwa, whose health innovations include the “Future Me” anti-obesity app that’s currently being commercialised.

The Ignition program is a five-and-a-half day course that includes components on business planning, creating financial projections, explaining ideas and innovations to experts in commercial terms and networking with investors.

It also blends teaching sessions, small group mentoring, one-to-one clinics, and opportunities to network with professional experts who can help transform ideas and prepare them for commercialisation.