The NSW Government has launched an inquiry into the best ways to support the budding entrepreneurial ecosystem of start-ups in regional NSW towns like Young.
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Member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson has urged fledgeling regional entrepreneurs to help shape the future of start-ups by contributing to the inquiry that she is chairing.
Young-based start-up entrepreneur Ben Reid, who co-founded global agricultural supply chain business AgriDigital in 2015, said there were simple steps the government could take to support start-ups at every step of the journey.
"So many start-ups fail but a lot of that comes back to an aversion to risk, a flawed idea or a lack of energy," he said.
"But there are small things at the embryonic stage that hinder someone starting a successful business, and it can be as simple as not knowing how to register a business, set up a website or obtain finance.
"If the government could have someone in regional areas new business owners could turn to for help on these things, it would be hugely beneficial."
Mr Reid said access to working spaces was also a key issue.
"When my co-founders and I started AgriDigital, we were based out of the Sydney based hub where many like-minded start-up businesses conceived their ambitions," he said.
"Similar spaces in regional NSW would provide people with the right environment to kick-start their ideas.
"There's no reason the government couldn't identify a room in the local library, or an empty office space on the main street, as a place where someone could set up and work on their start-up."
Ms Hodkinson said regional NSW was forging a reputation as a hub for start-ups and the NSW Government was keen to nurture and support those businesses.
"About a quarter of start-ups come from regional locations, and we want to make sure we've got reforms and initiatives to reduce barriers and capitalise on the advantages associated with regional start-ups," she said.
"We want to see what we can do to perhaps offer greater incentives for them to be successful. There is so much innovation happening in offices and homes across our region, and we should be celebrating and supporting that."
Make submissions to the inquiry at www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/inquiries/Pages/inquiry-details.aspx?pk=2443
Craig Thomson
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
