• Charles Sturt hosts free business masterclass series in Bathurst, Wagga Wagga and Port Macquarie
• Members of the community with their own business or startup encouraged to attend the four-session series
• First of four masterclass sessions starts in all three regional cities in March 2020

Charles Sturt University is hosting a series of free masterclasses in Bathurst, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga for business founders, entrepreneurs and the self-employed.

The regional pop-up tour, ‘Smash the startup journey: A masterclass series for CEOs COEs (Chiefs of Everything)’, is organised by the Charles Sturt Innovation Hubs and aims to bolster and fortify founders at the helm of a startup or their own business.

The tour will include four masterclass sessions held throughout 2020, with the first masterclass sessions starting in Bathurst, Wagga Wagga and Port Macquarie in March.

Head of the Charles Sturt Innovation Hubs, Ms Annette Davies, said, “We’re really excited to deliver these free transformational masterclasses to entrepreneurs across regional NSW.

“There is so much great innovation happening in regional areas and we want to ensure that people are supported.

“Often, it can be that regional areas can miss out when it comes to resources for people blazing new trails in business, so we’re thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity to anyone looking to take their startup to the next level.

“We’re very lucky that both the presenters of these workshops are among the best in the startup game and willing to share their expertise and experience with new founders in the region.”

The masterclass series program includes:

• Masterclass 1: ‘Set for success - Develop your mindset to get where you want to’.
  Bathurst: Monday 16 March, Port Macquarie: Monday 23 March and Wagga Wagga: Tuesday 31 March.
• Masterclass 2: ‘Outside of the Square - Strategic Ideation. Learning to think differently and innovate to smash your business goals’.
  Wagga Wagga: Wednesday 6 May, Bathurst: Thursday 14 May, and Port Macquarie: Wednesday 27 May.
• Masterclass 3: ‘Make it fly Become the COE (Chief of Everything): how to wear all those hats’.
  Port Macquarie: Wednesday 29 July, Wagga Wagga: Tuesday 4 August, and Bathurst: September (date TBC).
• Masterclass 4: ‘Know Who You Are for Startup Success: the power of your personality, emotional intelligence and mindful leadership defines your success’.
  Wagga Wagga: 14 October, Bathurst: Wednesday 28 October, and Port Macquarie: November (date TBC).

The first masterclass will be presented by Mr Ben Grozier (pictured above), the successful Founder of ClassCover, who will be sharing his experiences of being a CEO and Founder. ClassCover is an app to help source substitute teachers and is used by 2,500 schools and 50,000 teachers across four countries.

The venues for the first masterclass sessions are: Bathurst: Upstairs Regional Startup Hub, Russell Street; Wagga Wagga: AgriTech Park at Charles Sturt University, Boorooma Street; Port Macquarie: Rydges Port Macquarie, 1 Hay Street.

The masterclasses will also offer one-on-one mentoring with the presenter (limited spaces available).

Further information and registrations for the Bathurst, Wagga Wagga and Port Macquarie masterclass series is available on the Eventbrite website or can be obtained by contacting Charles Sturt’s Project Officer Ms Siobhan Howard by email agritechincubator@csu.edu.au or phone 02 6933 2942.

Registration to the masterclass series is open to anyone with their own business or startup.

Charles Sturt is able to offer the Masterclasses for free thanks to support by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science Incubator Support Initiative as part of the Entrepreneurs’ Programme.

Update: The four-session masterclass series that was schedule to take place in Dubbo has been cancelled. All of the other masterclass sessions in Bathurst, Wagga Wagga and Port Macquarie will go ahead as scheduled.