Workshop for software entrepreneurs designed to help stimulate the local economy

More than 15 start up software companies participated in the newly established Microsoft Innovation Academy held at Southern Cross University on the Gold Coast recently.
This initiative, the first in Australia, allowed the companies to gain valuable knowledge and insights into international best business practices within the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. It is designed to help stimulate the local software industry.

Hosted by the International Institute for Software Economics, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Inc. (IISEIE) at Southern Cross University’s Gold Coast campus, the Microsoft Innovation Academy Workshop was established to support software start-up companies and entrepreneurs in developing specific business management skills to assist in growing their business.

Formed in 2009, IISEIE is a non-partisan, not-for-profit international organisation comprising researchers, software companies and industry practitioners from the global software sector.

The workshops were delivered by experts in the global software industry at Southern Cross University, covered a number of areas critical for Australian software businesses to succeed in the dynamic software market. Attendees to the workshop were provided with practical advice in key areas such as strategic development, sales and marketing, operational management, capability development, collaboration and channel management.

David Sajfar, from Microsoft Australia, was delighted to work with IISEIE to support the global community of software entrepreneurs.

“Ideas that improve the way we live and work often emerge from start-ups, that's why Microsoft introduced the BizSpark™ program for software start-up companies in 2008. Now we are helping them get the skills they need to succeed through the Innovation Academy program,” Mr Sajfar said.

“It's about giving them access to people who can help to solve problems, and it's about creating networks of innovative businesses. All this helps great people turn great ideas into reality,”

Southern Cross University and the IISEIE have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which formalises the links between the two organizations and paves the way for research and industry development projects aimed at driving economic growth and entrepreneurship.

Head of the School of Commerce and Management at Southern Cross University, Associate Professor Stephen Kelly, said the Innovation Academy workshop provided the start-up companies with valuable training in business management skills as well as valuable networking opportunities.

“The Innovation Academy workshop delivered a platform for the start-ups to discuss common challenges and opportunities specific to the local ICT industry in areas such as relationship management, exporting and marketing channels. As a network partner of Microsoft, we were proud to be able to provide a forum for these small businesses to share ideas and build relationships,” said Professor Kelly.

The Microsoft Innovation Academy Workshops are currently being implemented on behalf of Microsoft by IISEIE into 24 countries in 2010.

Photo: Professor Stephen Kelly (high resolution image available on request)