Message from the CEO of HunterNet

Startups and why we need them to succeed

As we all start to kick on in 2018 and the recent holidays become a memory, it’s good to look forward and think of what will come. Over the past few weeks, we have had a number of interactions with several startups. These startups are not your stereotypical app designers or web-based service providers from the young and clever set. These people are young, middle-aged and persons who you would think would be staring at retirement with a glint in their eye. They have all come to HunterNet asking for help and guidance to establish, or to assist

them in finding the right path to success. The ideas from people we have spoken to have ranged from conveyor belt optimisation efficiencies to beekeeping.

It has made us think of how significant the continual flow of startups is and how important it is to help them realise the opportunity; that’s of course, if it exists. Research is a lot easier these days and its incumbent on a startup to do that research to ensure their unique idea or product is not just unique in their world.

Once upon a time in the industrial sector around our region, a startup was a bloke in a ute and the big innovation was putting a welder on the back of it which then gave them the differentiator of being mobile. Not all succeeded.

The good thing is that a number of those businesses did succeed and grew. They employed many people, some of whom went off to start their own businesses and thus maintain the cycle of providing for others. A lot of people start businesses with the view of having the freedom in their working life to make their own hours and to make money. The reality is far from that; as any person starting up a business will tell you, it is long hours, minimal cash flow, dealing with clients, developing the business whilst running your business and, on top of that, having a personal life to maintain your own well being. The pressure is enormous and the stress can be all consuming.

The fact is, it’s extremely important that startups are successful; they are the employers of the future and the progressives that nurture innovation. They won’t always be progressive as they too like many startups before them, in particular the bloke in the ute, will get set in their ways. This then opens the door to the next generation to start it all over again. We need startups to be successful for our future prosperity. It’s incumbent on groups like HunterNet and other industry bodies to provide startups with the support they need to succeed. That support can come in many forms; mentoring, networking, direction, introductions and backing to ensure they do not feel that all the problems of doing business are isolated to them and that everyone else is a success story.

The government spruiks about jobs and growth, and with the infrastructure boom we are seeing that this is the case. However, the reality is, it’s the startups that will create the jobs and growth that will be longer lasting.

Who knows; the next person you meet starting a business may be employing a family member that you haven’t met yet.

Regards,

Wayne H Diemar

Senior Project Director-HunterNet

On behalf of CEO Tony Cade