100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Young entrepreneurs think outside the box in homegrown mentoring program

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Industrial site sells for $3.4m in off-market deal

A freestanding industrial facility has fetched $3.4 million in an off-market transaction, highlighting the ongoing strength of the Sunshine Coast market. The sale of the More

$250k makeover for supported living home

Five housemates have moved back into their supported independent living house after a five-month, $250,000 renovation to refresh and modernise their ‘family’ home. Buderim housemates More

Ashley Robinson: Big losses to our community

I probably didn’t realise how the new-age digital world would impact simple but important things that we normally take for granted. What I am on More

Photo of the day: stunning sunrise

Sunrise at Cotton Tree, as photographed by Julianne Hutley. If you have a photo of the day offering, email photo@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. Photos must be horizontal/landscape and More

Deadly snake found far from home sparks investigation

A highly venomous snake has been found far from its usual range, sparking a rare job for snake handlers and an investigation by authorities. A More

Long-term holiday park tenants could be phased out

Sunshine Coast Council may gradually phase out long-term residents at a local holiday park by adopting a “natural attrition” approach to tenancy agreements. Currently long-term More

From functional underwear to e-scooter education programs and fidget pens, an entrepreneurial challenge that recognises the up-and-coming business minds of the region is gearing up a level.

The 2024 Generation Innovation (GI) Challenge has officially launched, with 10 young entrepreneurs selected to participate in the three-month program.

Generation Innovation encourages people aged 15 to 21 to be empowered to turn their ideas into a business through mentoring, skills development and networking in a collaborative environment.

This marks the 10th year of the event across the Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions, and aims to foster innovation and ultimately tackle unemployment.

GI founder Ted O’Brien kicked off the program with Originate Day on July 20.

“What we see is young people defining a problem in the marketplace they believe they can solve,” said Mr O’Brien, who is the federal Member for Fairfax.

The 2024 Generation Innovation finalists and their mentors.

“We’ve seen a range of ventures emerging.”

GI director Shane Cunningham said the entrepreneurs had the opportunity to learn from a pool of local business mentors as part of the program.

“The GI Challenge is a way for young people to act on their entrepreneurial spirit,” he said. “We pair them up with a mentor, one on one, from day one.”

Concept Labs general manager and GI mentor Naomi Elliot said she enjoyed seeing the potential and helping the young thinkers discover what is possible.

“As a mentor, I’m helping guide them through and just seeing them get excited about what they can do, and where it can go,” she said.

Related story: How budding entrepreneurs can turn ideas into a business

Youi is once again partnering with the challenge and held the launch event at its headquarters on July 15.

“We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with Generation Innovation since we became Platinum Sponsors in 2020 and support the young entrepreneurs who enter the challenge every year,” Youi’s Craig Chesterman said.

Luc Yllera and mentor Shane Cunningham. Picture: Bruce Haggie Photography

Supported by their mentors, the young entrepreneurs will also participate in two boot camps and a pitch event.

The program will culminate in a Pitch Night on October 2, where one entrepreneur will win a $20,000 prize package to develop their business.

To find out more visit generationinnovation.com.au.

2024 young entrepreneurs

  • Isla McMahon, Pedal Power
  • Luc Yllera, Ride Safe
  • James Sadler, Guardian’s Angel
  • Spencer Abbott and Jack Coombes, Launched Sportswear
  • Georgia Winnett and Mia Mullarvey, Bear-Able
  • Eli Alksne, Fundies
  • Jayme Pele-Whiteman, Electro-Vision
  • Quinn Kruizinga, The Focus Pen

Want more free local news? Follow Sunshine Coast News on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share