The University of Newcastle (UON) has released a new program of half-day workshops aimed at budding entrepreneurs and corporate intrapreneurs to provide them with the basic building blocks they need to take their ideas to market in a quick and practical way.

Startups are disrupting our world. They are fast, agile and have the power to affect entire industries and economies on a global scale. The lean startup approach to innovation can quickly build high-growth businesses through flexible methods which bring new ideas and products to fruition faster and more efficiently than in many larger organisations.

UON’s I2N Lean Startup Workshops provide a program of three practical workshops which teach entrepreneurs and company intrapreneurs lean startup methodologies across three key stages of business development: customer validation, business model generation and product design.

Delivered at the University of Newcastle’s Three76 Innovation Hub on Hunter Street, participants can take part in individual 3-hour workshops or attend all three workshops as a series. Participants get to experience what it feels like to be a part of an agile innovation team utilising a fast-paced learn by doing approach.

UON Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry Engagement & Innovation), Dr Sarah Pearson said UON is proud to be delivering key capability building initiatives such as the I2N Lean Startup Workshops to Hunter-based entrepreneurs and established companies, as part of its innovation agenda.

“What is really interesting about lean startup methods is they are increasingly being used by government agencies and large corporates to maintain relevance in a fast-changing world and remain on the front-foot of innovation,” Sarah said.

“I2N Lean Startup Workshops teach this methodology to emerging startups and established organisations, adding another essential element to the Hunter’s innovation ecosystem.”

During the workshops, collaborative teams work on case studies with the support of experienced facilitators, allowing diverse perspectives and team dynamics to enhance learning outcomes. The workshops are challenging however participants leave with practical methods to employ lean startup innovation in their everyday business practices.

The I2N Lean Startup Workshops build on UON’s existing activity in the local innovation ecosystem including the Hunter Innovation Project and Integrated Innovation Network (both partially-funded by the NSW State Government) and the recently launched Icon Regional Accelerator (delivered in partnership with Slingshot and the recipient of Federal Government Incubator Funding).

IMAGE |UON’s I2N Lean Startup Workshops provide a program of three practical workshops for entrepreneurs.