The RDA Hunter’s Department of Defence funded ME Program is providing students from partner school, St Philips Christian College, with skills to innovate and commercialise their ideas by facilitating a workshop series with The Business Centre.

In a Hunter education first, RDA Hunter’s ME Program is bringing The Business Centre and students from St Philips Christian College together for a workshop series that will help students understand the realities of developing, protecting and commercialising their intellectual property.

The Business Centre commenced the series this week, which provides students involved in ME Program and STEM subjects with techniques, skills and information to help them transition their ideas and prototypes to commercially available products.

Over the three workshop, seven-month mentoring program that culminates in a pitch night, students will be mentored by Hunter entrepreneurs, meet innovative companies who will share their experiences of success and failure, learn the latest government protocols and much more.

ME Program Manager for RDA Hunter, Rick Evans said he RDA was proud to deliver the program in the Hunter.

“We are thrilled that students will have access to The Business Centre’s expertise and client base – business owners and entrepreneurs who are on the front line and willing to share their experiences,” Rick said.

“This is a first in Hunter education and we are proud to be making a difference to the future of the region’s young people and kick-starting their careers with real and practical knowledge.”

Chief Operating Officer at The Business Centre, Steve Wait said the centre is delighted to be working with RDA on the program.

“The Business Centre works extensively with sophisticated and scalable regional entrepreneurs through its Starthouse Accelerator program. The Starthouse program prepares start-ups to be ready for market opportunities and to be able to attract capital investment through its regional investor pitch nights,” Steve said.

“So we were delighted to be able to work with RDA Hunter and this STEM program at St Phillips High School and to create a special Starthouse ME Program Pitch Event.

“In our Starthouse programs we educate, mentor and accelerate Start Ups at our Business Centre HQ in Newcastle, and we can’t wait to provide the same opportunity for this group of young inventors and entrepreneurs from our community.”