In this episode of Executive with a Cause, host Tammy Ven Dange chats with Petr Adamek of the Canberra Business Network (CBRIN).
Not for Profits and the fast pace of start-up companies aren’t usually associated together. However, in this episode, we learn how they can complement each other and create economic benefits for both the company and the community as a whole.
Describing itself as ‘sector agnostic’, we hear how CBRIN fosters collaboration and innovation within the Canberra, Australia, community through initiatives such as its accelerator programs, hackathons, subsidised co-working space and networking events.
Petr also describes the unique challenges of being fully supported by the government, as well as the concept of expected “failure” in its industry. From an operational perspective, we also hear about the challenge of entrepreneurial employees, which could lead to shorter tenures as they potentially pursue their own start-up passions! Finally, Petr provides insights into measuring success, and the significant economical and societal benefits of investing in innovation.
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IT in Plain English
In this edition of ‘IT in Plain English’, Tammy discusses two core major software investments, particularly for Registered Training Organisations (RTO): the Student Management Systems (SMS) and the Learning Management Systems (LMS). Whether you’re looking to upgrade an existing system, or curious about what’s possible, learn the foundations of how you can make an SMS or LMS work for your organisation.
Sign-up here to subscribe to the “IT in Plain English” newsletter. You can submit your question to Tammy Ven Dange by messaging her on LinkedIn, and maybe she’ll answer it on the show.
Topics from this episode:
- 0.00 | Introduction
- 1.00 | CBRIN’s mission
- 3.16 | Not for Profits and start-ups
- 5.14 | Being ‘sector-agnostic’
- 6.31 | Cybersecurity
- 8.40 | Accelerators
- 11.20 | Connecting through social media
- 14.20 | Lean Startup Workshop
- 15.40 | Evolution of CBRIN
- 19.42 | Networking events during COVID
- 24.30 | Creating a co-working space culture
- 30.10 | Measuring success
- 35.10 | Staff and volunteers
- 40.30 | Institutional Board Directors
- 44.10 | Unique challenges
- 47.20 | Outsourcing
- 53.55 | IT in Plain English
Quotes from Petr in this episode:
“I would say that Not for Profits are a known instrument in stimulating the start-up environments around the world, it’s part of the new way of supporting local economic development, as opposed to creating, you know, greenfield industrial parks or business parks, we are now trying to support the local community to come up with ideas and solutions that can gain traction and can make the community wealthier, basically, more prosperous.”
“In the ACT, it was particularly important to find a way to get people with business ideas off the ground. Because we are a government town, the business of government is a major employer here. And we need to diversify the economy towards more knowledge-intensive industries, and we have all the predispositions here for it. But still, we want the companies to grow at a faster pace than it would be possible without an organisation like the Canberra Innovation Network.”
“We always start by saying we are sector agnostic. So, it doesn’t matter from which walk of life or where your solution is. But we are looking at the innovation potential for your business. So, if you want to open a restaurant or a traditional business that services the local community, we would probably not see a fit. We are looking for people who have ideas that can have global impact. So, if it’s in the restaurant area, can you come up with a solution or technology that can be available to all the restaurants to make them more productive or more digitised?”
“Cybersecurity is a naturally important domain in Canberra, you know, that whole nucleus around government services, defence and cybersecurity makes sense. And there was a lot of capability, a lot of companies already providing services to the government here, but also nationally and internationally. And that area has always been active. But Canberra Innovation Network was invited by the ACT. Government to think about and to join a new movement, Canberra Cyber Hub was established as a separate company of work.”
“So how is the organisation different? You know, in 2014, nobody knew what Canberra Innovation Network was. And the first years of activity for any Not for Profit it’s basically defining who you are, not just as seen by you, but also as perceived by your clients and stakeholders and by the community. So we went through phases where people would know and experience us as the hackathon people or the co-working space, or, you know, the accelerator program.”
“It’s a monthly gathering for anyone interested in innovation, from mentors all the way to students, investors, SMEs, government, people, etc. And it’s a fantastic melting pot, where you can build a docket of meetings for a whole month for yourself if you are starting a business. And then that will just take you to the next stage.”
“I think you’re right. There’s something about entrepreneurs that’s different. And there’s something contagious, almost infectious about this. And when you immerse yourself there, you sort of see I’m not alone, I’m not the weird one. Others also want capital; others also need software developers. And here is a person who can help me. And it just feels like you’re not building a company from your bedroom or garage by yourself. But at least once a month, you can meet 250 other people. And it’s always different people, the beauty of the networking is that it keeps rolling. And every time there are new people and new blood, and they feel like we all did when we first came there.”
“But also what connects these people is that we are not just accepting into the co-working space anyone who needs space; we’re looking for a fit. So there is an application process where you have to be someone who is building an innovative company or can contribute substantially to other people building an innovative company.”
“I come from consulting. So, I first started with measuring and evaluating, and auditing innovation ecosystems as a professional before I was responsible for one., So we have a lot of detailed numbers. So we would know everyone who has been at our First Wednesday Connect. And every time we look at what was the percentage of people who have never been? And so that’s one way to do it. If you went through our workshops, you would have received a feedback forum. And we have thousands of feedback. That way, we keep on the programs always kind of adapting to what people are saying they need. So that’s how they always evolve.”
“And we kind of look at their revenue and collective revenue, and so that we can report back to the government, you know, what’s the effect of that particular program, and the Innovation Connect Grant Program is very successful. And even if the companies may die, and a lot of them do, the collective revenue of those who survive is just massive compared to the amount of government money put in there.”
“So as an employer, we have to be attractive enough to be able to bring in new people. And we have to be comfortable enough with them kind of getting out of the nest fairly soon. And that’s happening.”
“We have to normalise, embrace, support and celebrate when people have done something that didn’t work and make sure that they feel included, and they can be part of it in different forms and ways. But sometimes, personally, people can get hurt and feel rejected, and we really have no licence to be psychologists, and we exist to help everyone, and we hope that the community will look after them. But it can be hard, it can be hard for you as a mentor, for a staff member who is literally genuinely trying to help and if that business is going nowhere, and that entrepreneur might have even financial pressures, it can get tense.”
Links & Resources
- Connect with Petr on Linkedin
- Visit the CBRIN website
- Follow CBRIN on Linkedin, Twitter and Facebook
Other Episodes Mentioned in this Show
- Watch our interview with Cindy Reese Mitchell of The Millhouse Ventures
- Watch our interview with Debbie Saunders of Wildlife Drones
Credits
Thanks to our Producer, Nick Whatman, and the entire team at Lonsdale St. Studio. Thanks also to our Digital Content Creator, Laura Kleinrahm.
Tammy Ven Dange is a former charity CEO, Not for Profit Board Member and IT Executive. Today she helps NFPs with strategic IT and data decisions with her business, Roundbox Consulting.