Aiming to replicate the essence of Austin, Texas with South Australia as a great place to work and do business and after a round table discussion with Tech Ranch and members of the USA delegation from New Venture Institute, Premier Jay Weatherill welcomed guests to a reception on the eve of SXSW Interactive.
The Premier highlighted Adelaide, Austin’s sister city as beautifully planned with a different style and pattern, surrounded by parklands with McLaren Vale to the south, Barossa Valley to the north, Adelaide Hills to the east and the Gulf of St Vincent beaches to the west, and a common love of festivals.
South Australia has a capacity to respond to challenges and there are numerous examples of entrepreneurs and startups from the state achieving amazing results.
From driverless cars to being the world’s first carbon neutral city, there is an opportunity to be a first mover and create jobs for the future.
Highlighting the need for STEM skills amongst our young people with leaders like the Australian Science and Mathematics School and Career BluePrint, describing the New Venture Institute at Flinders University as a wonderful tertiary institution, represented at SXSW by a group of startups and entrepreneurs, the Premier invited attendees to make connections and rekindle the sister city relationship between Adelaide and Austin.
At the Austin Texas Bound International Welcome Breakfast with the Mayor of Austin Steve Adler, the Premier stated, “…we understand like you, the future belongs to people that are prepared to break out and try to do new things in new ways.”
For example, local entrepreneurs Wendy and Scott Perry, running companies like Workforce BluePrint making connections, exporting and capitalising on their know how, expanding into countries such as Bhutan, Botswana, England, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, USA and Wales.
“From two countries to six last year and now over 20 countries worldwide, the Global Workforce Architects Program provides the capabilities and skills for people to solve workforce problems, create more jobs and attract talent, encourage entrepreneurship and where you have a plan for growth, ensure you have a workforce to match”, said Head Workforce Planner, Wendy Perry.
Premier Weatherill also highlighted, “…the other thing that we are very proud of in South Australia is there is a history of social innovation.., and this tradition of social innovation is something that continues through today.”
Social impact and innovation was demonstrated by one of the startups in the USA delegation with founder Sarah Gun from GOGO events who pitched her business that provides employment opportunities for homeless women at the ‘Impact through Innovation’ showcase event at the Austin City Hall Council Chamber on 11 March 2016.
Sarah won an award for Most Innovative Social Enterprise and Drones over Water founder Dan Squire won Best Hardware Startup with his pitch.
Perry Logic and Voxie Box pitched their backflow prevention device and hologram technology respectively at the International Accelerator – Startup Fast Pitch Competition during SXSW.
22 March 2016