Two Mount Gambier entrepreneurs are heading off to Silicon Valley, Austin and New York City after taking out part of a prize package totalling more than $45,000 in the inaugural New Venture Institute’s Limestone Coast awards.
Finalists pitching their ideas as a culmination of seven weeks of practical learning with personalised mentors.
Aquaculture entrepreneur Daryl Prunnell and deisgner Ashlee Kalantarian have both secured a 10-day United States tour by winning the 2018 Gold and Silver NVI awards’ in Flinders University’s New Venture Institute Venture Dorm Limestone Coast awards.
Mr Prunnell will visit the innovation ecosystems in the United States as part of a tour in March next year, joining other business founders and SA NVI winners to attend more than 40 events, pitch competitions, site visits and networking opportunities.
Mr Prunnell hoped to create a fish farm featuring rock lobster and Atlantic salmon that would showcase the local produce to tourists, with a community space providing education, tastings and accommodation.
He was recommended for the program by PIRSA.
“Through the program, my idea matured from focusing purely on salmon to incorporating rock lobster co-existing together. This would build on revenue greatly, taking it from a $16 kilogram product to a $60kg product,” Mr Prunnell said.
He said the location for his concept was ideal; seven hectares he owns on the outskirts of Port MacDonnell, which he said was becoming an extension of the Great Ocean Road for many international and domestic tourists.
Venture Dorm provides hands-on training for people who want to learn how entrepreneurs build and market new ventures and either create one themselves, or lift their existing business to greater success.
NVI director Matthew Salier said that in addition to the networks developed through the program, Mr Prunnell will benefit from NVI’s relationships with a number of international investors and entrepreneurs, some of whom they will meet during their trip to the USA.
“Flinders’ NVI innovation incubators have links with entrepreneur landing groups in the US, Shanghai and Singapore and that’s a really important part of the value of Venture Dorm program and our co-working space,” he said.
Flinders University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Clare Pollock attended the awards event and congratulated the finalists and winners.
“Their ideas speak volumes for the creativity and innovation coming out of the Limestone Coast,” Professor Pollock said.
