A Wagga woman’s dream to give back to her community has grown into a big event for innovators and entrepreneurs.
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After a strong launch last year, Dianna Somerville’s Regional Pitchfest is being backed by Australia Post as a national competition for regional people with their own dreams, with the grand final event slated for Wagga.
“We’re seeing regional Australia as a huge growth opportunity for business,” Ms Somerville said. “I started it here in Wagga because I wanted to give back to the community and saw an opportunity to promote the region’s entrepreneurs, artists and small businesses.”
The first Regional Pitchfest was held in Wagga last June and in the audience was a member of Australia Post’s innovation team. By November, a second event was held in Bendigo and the success of the format has led to the national stage.
The concept is simple: People present their business concept to a panel of judges, but unlike TV shows where people have to give up part of their business, the innovators get to keep their idea and get valuable feedback.
“We have this great technology at out fingertips,” Ms Somerville said. “As it continues to improve, the regions will continue to grow and flourish. A lot of people like me are moving home from the big cities and becoming job-makers, not job takers.”
Ms Somerville said one of her favourite quotes was from startup guru Brendan Yell, who said technology had trumped the tyranny of distance.
We’re seeing regional Australia as a huge growth opportunity for business.
- Dianna Somerville
Regional Australia is already big business, creating 75 per cent of national export earnings with only 30 per cent of the population.
Australia Post small business manager Rebecca Burrows said the event was all about unearthing the next big business idea from regional Australia.
“We know there are amazing innovators throughout regional Australia, which is why we are launching the ‘Australia Post Regional Pitchfest’,” Mrs Burrows said.
“The first ever winner was a 13-year-old high school student, so it’s OK if your idea is not yet a business and you don’t need an MBA to enter – just a great idea!”
Applications are open until April 28 at www.regionalpitchfest.com.
Final dates
Victoria: Ballarat, Wednesday, June 7
ACT: Canberra, Friday, June 16
Tasmania: Launceston, Thursday, June 22
Queensland: Toowoomba, Tuesday, June 27
NSW: Dubbo, Wednesday, July 5
Northern Territory: Darwin, Friday, July 14
Western Australia: Bunbury, Friday, July 21
South Australia: McLaren Vale, Friday, July 28
National final: Wagga, Friday, August 18
Stephen Mudd
Stephen Mudd is a journalist for Fairfax Media west of the great divide. He loves music, dogs and travel.
Stephen Mudd is a journalist for Fairfax Media west of the great divide. He loves music, dogs and travel.
