The Regional Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program is part of the Australian Government pilot Startup Year.

Startup Year is an Australian Government supported initiative, with STARTUP-HELP loans and income support available to eligible students. Startup Year, a part-time, 6-month program commences in November 2024. It will be delivered through hybrid learning model that connects you with experts, mentors and academic leaders both online and face to face.

The program includes six subjects (two new subjects at Charles Sturt University and four micro-credentials from the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behaviour Science), delivered part time through a variety of methods, for which you will receive digital certificates upon completion.

The program is open to students in their final year of a bachelor degree at Charles Sturt University, or enrolled in postgrad study, as well as people who have graduated from an Australian Tertiary Institution within the last 3 years.

As a participant, you will have access to cutting-edge spaces to think, experiment and collaborate in at AgriPark facilities.

As this is a non award program, you will receive digital certificates of completion. The course includes six subjects delivered part time through a variety of methods. There is a mix of in person bootcamps, online workshops, mentorships, online micro credential learning and a showcase event. The program consists of two new subjects at Charles Sturt University and four micro credentials from the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavior Science.

Subject 1: Regional Innovation Opportunities and the Entreprenurial Mindset

This subject explores the unique opportunities and challenges associated with regional innovation and entrepreneurship. It emphasises the development of an entrepreneurial mindset and practical skills necessary to identify, evaluate, and launch innovative ideas. The subject combines theoretical frameworks with hands-on experiences, including an introductory bootcamp to kickstart the journey with foundational knowledge and team-building activities. A challenge event/design sprint will immerse students in an intensive, real-world problem-solving experience, fostering creativity and rapid prototyping skills.

Throughout the subject, students will learn to navigate the regional innovation ecosystem, leveraging local resources and networks. They will be equipped to innovate existing business models and develop new ones, addressing specific local and regional challenges. The subject also includes masterclasses from industry experts, dedicated office hours for mentorship and guidance, and a showcase event where students will present their projects and innovations. This comprehensive approach ensures that students are well-prepared to deliver impactful solutions and drive regional development through entrepreneurship.

Subject 2: Regional Innovation Catalyst

The "Regional Innovation Catalyst" subject is designed to foster entrepreneurial skills and innovative thinking in regional contexts. The subject combines theoretical knowledge with

practical application, leveraging local industry connections to solve real-world problems. Participants will engage in masterclasses, office hours, and a final showcase event to present their projects.

Microcredential Subjects

1: Social Entrepreneurship

Social enterprises are hybrid organisations established for a social purpose, using a for-profit business model to generate the financial resources needed to support their social missions (Miles et al., 2014: 549). Examples of social enterprises include a church bookstore where the proceeds are used to fund community engagement or Zambreros Plate- 4-Plate meal donation program. This subject introduces social entrepreneurship and social enterprise, along with the associated tools and processes for developing, implementing and funding solutions to real community problems. It takes a very practical and applied approach, focusing in particular on how leaders can analyse and shape the community's entrepreneurial ecosystem to better support the needs of social enterprises developing solutions for community problems. This subject is designed to develop the students capacity to develop, lead, and support social entrepreneurs and enterprises.

2: Transformational Leadership

It is difficult in today's cynical and complex world for leaders to gain trust from their stakeholders both internal and external. This subject takes a practical and applied look at transformative leadership. Transformative leadership takes a long-term, values and ethically based view of leadership that focuses on shared value for stakeholders and the broader society. This subject is an opportunity for students to explore how their leadership style may contribute to the development of community resilience. Students will examine leadership styles through a variety of conceptual lenses – transformational leadership, servant leadership charismatic leadership, principle-centred leadership, level 5 leadership and covenantal leadership – all of which contribute to transformative leadership. The subject is designed to assist students in evaluating and make recommendations for their own leadership style and the styles exhibited in their organisations.

3: Strategic Management

The subject introduces the strategic planning function within an organisation. This includes consideration of an organisation's internal resources as well as the external factors which impact upon strategic decision making. The formulation, implementation and selection of strategic alternatives which mesh with these factors is also examined. This subject may include some face to face workshops and activities depending on the student cohort.

4: Motivating and Influencing People

In this subject we examine three factors that assist us to understand human behaviour at work. In particular, we look at the way in which individual level factors (e.g. personality and motivation), team level factors (e.g. leadership and group dynamics) and organisational differences (e.g. structure and culture) combine to explain behaviour. Behaviour at work plays a critical role in explaining organisational outcomes such as productivity and absenteeism.

Key Dates

Applications open - 2 October 2024

Applications close - 22 November 2024

To be eligible for Startup Year at Charles Sturt University you must be either:

• a Charles Sturt University student in the final year of an undergraduate course of study; or,
• enrolled in a postgraduate course of study; or,
• completed a recognised degree from an accredited higher education provider in Australia within the last 3 years.

The cost to individual students is $6360 as directed by the Commonwealth Government for this pilot program.

Students may also be eligible for STARTUP-HELP loans. Undergraduates in their final year and current postgraduate students are eligible for a STARTUP-HELP loan, along with recent graduates.

If you are an industry organisation that is interested in sponsoring one of your recent graduates please get in touch with the CSU Innovation Hub Team to be part of the Industry Stream of the program.

Charles Sturt University has 20 Startup Help placements available for this program.

Please be advised that videotaping, filming (including audio) or still photographs will be taken at this event for use in Charles Sturt University advertising, media publicity, publications, web displays or any other Charles Sturt University purpose. By entering this event, you consent to Charles Sturt University videotaping, filming (including audio) or photographing you and using your image and likeness. If you have any queries or do not wish Charles Sturt University to use your image and likeness, please contact the AgriPark Events Team at agriparkevents@csu.edu.au.