• Charles Sturt’s Innovation Hubs to host ninth Ready to Launch Pitch Night in Wagga Wagga on Monday 14 November

Seven entrepreneurs will take centre stage to turn their dreams into reality at Charles Sturt University’s ninth Ready to Launch Pitch Night.

Charles Sturt’s Innovation Hubs hosts a 10-week Ready to Launch program for emerging entrepreneurs to take their business, product or service from idea to execution.

Participants from across regional NSW, including Wagga Wagga, Temora, Albury, Griffith and Port Macquarie, commenced the online program in September. The program will culminate in a face-to-face pitch night in Wagga Wagga.

Each of the seven participants will have three minutes to pitch their idea before the judges have three to four minutes to provide feedback.

Manager of the Charles Sturt Innovation Hubs Mr Ged Bourke (pictured, inset) said the event will offer insight into the ideas of people tackling global issues from regional NSW.

“The participants represent a wonderfully diverse group and are looking to solve local and global issues,” he said.

“After two years of virtual pitch nights, this year’s event returns to a face-to-face event, which is something everyone is really excited about.

“Many people are familiar with the Shark Tank TV show. For our version, we run a ‘Dolphin Tank’ event – positive, challenging and supportive is the basis of the feedback our panel provides.”

Projects for the ninth Ready to Launch cohort focused on sustainability, the impacts of screen time for children, and online commerce.

Mr Bourke said the scope of the problems being presented from regional innovators is impressive.

“It goes to show that the regional innovation sector is full of people with big ambitions,” he said.

“We see our role as helping these people develop the skills and networks to make their ideas and impacts a reality.”

The Ready to Launch Pitch Night will be held on Monday 14 November at the Charles Sturt Riverina Playhouse. Refreshments will be served from 5.30pm before guests are required to be seated at 6.15pm.

Entry is free but registrations must be made online prior to the event.

Ready to Launch was funded by the NSW Government through the Department of Industry’s ‘Boosting Business Innovation Program’ with co-investment by the University.