Last week’s column led to a radio interview with Laurie Atlas. One of his questions related to getting a share of the $1.1 billion the federal government is committing to the ‘Ideas Boom’.
The question was along the lines why should the Fed’s spend a share of this money helping develop startup’s (new innovative businesses) in this region as opposed to the capital cities where more votes can be gained.
In my response I mentioned the Northern Australia policy, being the home of Australia’s largest regional university, (as well as the Minister for Northern Australia) and our high youth unemployment rate as being solid reasons if the Fed’s are serious about their policies and not just seeking votes.
This extends to the State Government also with their Advance Queensland initiatives.
Assuming both governments are serious about regional (northern) development this then puts Rockhampton Region in competition with Mackay, Townsville and Cairns to just name Queensland centres.
When you compare these centres in developing a favourable environment to propagate startup’s Rockhampton is lagging behind in number of startup’s established, funded and people employed by them.
As mentioned last week, a bottom up (people power) approach, as opposed to top down, is vital in creating the favourable environment.
If not community driven then Government may inject funds into those regions that are exhibiting more interest and success with their startup ecosystem to help them flourish.
Are we that apathetic to not care if that does happen?
I’m not saying this lightly, as verified by waiting and hoping for Adani to hopefully utilise Rockhampton’s available workforce either directly or indirectly with their proposed Carmichael coal mine; with no viable plan B in place the region has endured higher unemployment, lower property values, subdued retail trade, etc. Yet we appear to tolerate it and keep waiting.
We need to jump in now on the Idea’s Boom, not wait and hope that we get a slice.
Next Thursday there is a meetup to discuss developing a startup culture in Rockhampton.
Apathy and/or being weaned to accept mediocrity; whatever it is that makes Rockhampton’s current culture risk adverse, prepared to hope and wait for others to do something, has to be transformed or we will be left behind and the brain drain of youth that happens at the end of every year seeking opportunities elsewhere will continue.
By demonstrating there is strong community interest in helping to develop startup’s; be it as investors, mentors, founders or supporters we not only make the region more attractive for government assistance but encourage more budding entrepreneurs to cultivate their ideas here.
Networking and collaboration have been identified as being major hurdles for a startup ecosystem to take root in Rockhampton.
You can help overcome these hurdles by attending the meetup.
The meetup is at the Workshop, 45 East Street, Thursday 21 April starting 5.30pm. More details search Startup Capricorn on Facebook.