2019, We’re Ready For You
2018 was definitely a turning point for Generation Entrepreneur, and it only left us wanting more. Coming into 2019, our team will be focusing on four projects. Feeling invigorated, we are excited to make more progress than ever before.
The Inflection Point
2018 saw a lot of changes and challenges for the organisation but through all of it, it was the year we grew the most. In 2018 alone we have been able to launch 3 new initiatives that are essential to our mission, all the while delivering the events that our community know and love so well.
Our flagship weekend hackathon, Initiate 48, held in the brand new Tank Stream Labs in Sydney Startup Hub was one of our most successful to date with other 100 students in attendance. Inspired by what they achieved over a weekend, some students went on to compete in our regional school competition, Challenger, held at Chatswood High School.
Over the course of this year, it became clear that entrepreneurial education is what excited high school students — it is what they want to learn in school. This excitement was what inspired us to formally launch our in-school program, Startup 101 — a variation of our Initiate 48 hackathon model.
A highlight of 2018 for Generation Entrepreneur was iEntrepreneur — our high school Incubator powered by the Department of Education. The program brought together ten high school teams from across the state to the Sydney School of Entrepreneurship. We had schools like Blacktown Girls in the heart of Sydney’s west, like Cronulla high in the south and Chatswood High in the North Shore. It has been almost two months since our Demo Night, and some of our cohort are continuing on with their startups while still going to school as usual.
Check out our 2018 Impact Report here: http://bit.ly/GenE2018
Looking Forward
Going into 2019, Generation Entrepreneur will be focusing on 4 key projects. With this focus, we will be able to further turn the dial on how education is delivered in Australia.
Schools
Our schools program, Startup 101, will be bringing entrepreneurial education directly to the students, changing mindsets within the heart of schools. Following from our successful in-school events in 2018, we will be expanding across the state as well as launching a statewide inter-school hackathon.
Education
This project was borne out of our alumni’s willingness to further their entrepreneurial education, to up-skill and learn more about the innovation space so that one day they may be able to launch businesses of their own. This inspired us to launch our newest program — the Australian Innovators Challenge, where we will be connecting students with industry partners to foster innovative thinking through real-world problem solving.
Incubator
iEntrepreneur gave high schools students the opportunity to start their own ventures, and this year we are continuing our journey to give this chance to more students. We have proven that there are students who have ideas, have the necessary drive and the passion to build a startup. All that’s missing is the platform to make it happen. In 2019, we are rethinking what the high school incubator looks like, focusing on three core elements — mentorship, industry immersion and community building.
Social Impact
We fiercely believe in equality of opportunity and helping students reach their full potential without the limitations of any disadvantage. Our Social Impact project will focus on bringing Generation Entrepreneur to the low socioeconomic status (SES) community, Western Sydney and schools in the area.
Here’s to another year of working with our young people to achieve big things.
Join us on our journey to empowering Australia’s youth. As always, feel free to reach me directly at marina.wu@generationentrepreneur.com.au
