10th September 2021 Media Release:
The emerging Social Enterprise sector in the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland region is set to get a major boost from a new social enterprise accelerator program being delivered at the $17 million dollar Federation University Morwell Innovation Centre.
The 12-week program called ‘Acceleration for Social Enterprise’ will be delivered by leading Social Innovation organisation One10 Group in partnership with Federation University Morwell Innovation Centre and support the further development of the social enterprise sector and enterprises across the region.
Nicole Griffin, General Manager Morwell Innovation Centre is excited about the opportunity to support innovation in what is a significant sector across Gippsland.
Founder of One10 Group and recognised Impact Investor, Geoff Gourley, who was born and raised in Traralgon said, “I’m really excited to be able to bring the One10 accelerator program to the Gippsland region I know and love so much, sharing our expertise, guiding and mentoring local businesses through 12 weeks will really make a positive impact and support them to grow, attract funding and investment, create new jobs and connect them with customers via social procurement.”
Geoff Gourley, Founder of One10 Group
The fully funded program has been tailored for the region and will see participants work through 12 key touch-points over the twelve weeks, these are in three core focus areas;
Founder Focus, which includes founder wellbeing, purpose, filling knowledge gaps and the stages and steps to scale their venture.
Business Focus, which includes Social Innovation Canvas, lean business models, brand development and financial sustainability and commercialisation.
Growth Focus, which helps founders to launch, market and share their venture, become investible and attract funding or investment.
The program aims to accelerate the growth of those social enterprises in meaningful and sustainable ways, connecting them to customers, new networks and partnerships and position them for ongoing success. There are up to 20 fully funded places open to Gippsland and LaTrobe Valley based organisations and businesses that can be classified as a Not-For-Profit, a social enterprise or a for-purpose commercial entity and applications are now open.
The new $17M Federation University Morwell Innovation Centre (MIC) where elements of the program will be delivered.
The program kicks off on 1st October and requires a time commitment of around 5 hours per week and will be delivered virtually with an opportunity for several key events and a demo day at the Morwell Innovation Centre in December.
Applications Now Open
Applications close 3rd October 2021.
For more information and program details, please contact:
Media Contacts:
Geoff Gourley: 0428 317 387
Nicole Griffin: 0409 492 243
About Federation University
Federation University is Victoria’s premier regional university and has campuses in Ballarat, Gippsland, the Wimmera, Berwick and Brisbane.
Offering an increased number of tertiary programs, and with programs across VCAL, VET and TAFE, Federation University has been created for its students. They have campuses in Ballarat, Berwick, Gippsland, the Wimmera, and Brisbane, as well as Online learning.
The $17 million dollar Morwell Innovation Centre was opened in 2020 and has dynamic spaces designed to promote creative thinking and practice and support local enterprise and entrepreneurship.
It allows for new collaborations to support transition and economic growth in the Gippsland region and has been built in response to the region’s need too.
• increase the adoption of technology
• support industry growth, transition, and employment growth
• enhance and strengthen the region’s social capital by strengthening existing networks.
About One10 Group
One10 Group is a global social innovation accelerator & impact consultancy with a mission to harness the power of business for good. They enable change makers and innovators to create meaningful social and environmental impact.
One10 Group provides expertise, connections, and access to capital necessary to create sustainable and scalable social enterprises.
Founded by Impact Investor, Geoff Gourley in Melbourne in 2015, they enable purpose-driven people globally. They develop and deliver several core educational and capacity-building programs including Fundamentals, Activate, Amplify, and work with universities, corporate partners, Not-For-Profits, Social Enterprises, Government, and Investors.