The City of Sydney, in association with Disruptors Co. has launched an accelerator program designed to support and encourage the growth of small-to-medium-sized businesses in the retail, hospitality, tourism, and social enterprise sectors.
The Business Innovation Program (BIP) is a free, 12-week program that will provide 20 chosen SMEs with the tools, resources, and mentorship they need to take their business to the next level. The program will focus on developing innovative solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing these sectors, such as adapting to changing consumer preferences, improving sustainability, and enhancing the customer experience.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of Sydney, contributing to economic development and creating jobs,” Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO, said. “We want to provide them with the tools and knowledge to thrive and succeed, so we’ve partnered with local digital innovation consultancy, Disruptors Co, to develop a mentor-style program for businesses.
“This is a chance for businesses ready to challenge the way they operate, embrace the latest trends, and explore opportunities to take their brand to the next level,” the Lord Mayor added.
Businesses accepted into the program will receive a range of benefits such as access to expert mentors and advisors from Disruptors Co and other Industry guests; intensive workshops and training sessions on topics such as design thinking, marketing, and finance; opportunities to network and collaborate with other start-ups in the program; and access to co-working spaces and other resources.
“We are combining in-person and virtual sessions to make it as easy as possible for participants,” Disruptors Co Co-CEO, Gavin Heaton, explained. “We’ll kick off with a two-day skills bootcamp, then fortnightly sessions on topics like web skills, social media, sustainability, business growth and business plans. There’s also one-on-one coaching and, of course, an end-of-program showcase.”
Disruptors Co-Facilitator, Tracey Hamilton, said that program is about supporting the businesses who “truly deliver the magic that is Sydney – the cafes, secret laneway tour guides, the fantastic independent boutiques and re-emerging bars and nightlife stories”, and that the BIP will give them a springboard to grow.
Applications for the Business Innovation Program are open to SMEs with fewer than 200 employees in retail, hospitality, tourism, and social enterprise, as well as First Nations businesses, with a minimum of two years in operation and currently in the growth/scale-up stage.
