Associate, collaborate, innovate

When people think of Pittwater and the wider Northern Beaches, sleepy, seaside living and long city-bound commutes likely comes to mind. But what if the area could preserve the oasis lifestyle while also existing as a hub for innovation and start-up businesses?

It’s a vision shared by the founders of Northern Beaches Innovation, a network of businesses and innovators working collaboratively to foster and inspire growth.

Leena Wood, an entrepreneur and one of the network’s founding members, says the idea behind the group was sparked by several conversations that unveiled a wealth of locals looking for a way to connect their burgeoning businesses with complimentary start-ups in the area.

“A small group of us started gathering for a catch-up after work and lamenting our shared experience – the pain of running into the city for any meetings, such as finding a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to come on board or raising seed capital for example.”

“We then held a design session at Avalon SLSC, with 30 people bringing ideas to the table. Our last event had 110 people attend, which was beyond our expectations.”

“There is a broader trend globally towards democratising access to the innovation economy, and for companies and innovators to find more ways to collaborate,” Lena explains.

“Lots of groups like ours are popping up to support creativity and innovation.”

Northern Beaches Innovation taps into this movement of cooperative business through encouraging community members to put an ‘Ask’ to the group. These are requests such as asking to be introduced to another member’s networks or soliciting help with development, strategy or funding. Fellow members of the network can then respond, offering advice or services.

“At the last event, we had a company called ‘Puffling’, who have created a job-sharing platform. Their ask was for introductions to senior level people who were open to role share, contract, part-time and full-time flexible roles,” Lena relays.

“In the audience we had a vice president from research and advisory firm Gartner, who is now looking at profiling Puffling and has interviewed co-founder and CEO Lija Wilson.

“Additionally, several new candidates joined the platform after the event. These are connections that wouldn’t have been made outside of the group.”

She also tells of members successfully seeking introductions to major companies to source investment, gaining new customers and sourcing talent from the network.

“Helping people connect is fantastic but building businesses on the Northern Beaches also alleviates the strain on infrastructure and leaves a legacy of options of places to work for young people on the Northern Beaches,” Lena says.

The network has recently begun forming those connections between young people and local businesses through the introduction of its Youth Pathways program.

The free program allows young people aged between 15 and university age to access business skills and experience from network members across five pathways – engineering, business, design, digital citizenship and mentorship.

The engineering stream, which kicked off in October, saw students learn how to design and build modern applications.

“In the future, the mentorship program will allow older students to participate in work experience within community businesses and learn from trained mentors,” Lena tells.

Local businesses, innovators and youth interested in joining the network should register at its website northernbeachesinnovation.com.au.