Brekky with NonProfit that saves innovators millions?

INNOVIC gives entrepreneurs ‘early stage’ help in working out ideas

INNOVIC – the Victorian Innovation Centre – is an independent NonProfit organisation established in 1986 under a joint Federal and State initiative.

Their services and networks have helped clients save over $13.1 million a year, through their early stage assistance and planning advice.

INNOVIC also runs the ‘Next Big Thing Award’, an annual national competition to find and showcase new Australian products with the potential to become the ‘next big thing’. The award is a key event of the Australian Innovation Festival.

INNOVIC will be hosting the free BIG IDEAS & SMART MARKETING BREAKFAST on Wednesday 22 November, 7.45am – 9.00am, at the Centre for Innovation + Technology Commercialisation, Level 1, 257 Collins St, Melbourne. If you are interested in attending you can phone 03 9650 4733 and mention Barbara Gabogrecan’s name (Barb of Microbiz Navigator has passed this info on to PWF).

Speakers are:
• Roger La Salle, innovation guru, international presenter and director of La Salle Matrix Thinking, who will demonstrate his super-fast method of innovating for profit.
• Rob Hartnett, founder and director of leading sales and marketing advisory, Business Performance International, who will discuss how to win the right customers through smart marketing and advertising. All guests will receive a complimentary copy of Rob’s latest book Small Business, Big Opportunity.

The Next Big Thing Award 2007 will have a total prize pool of $8500 cash, MYOB business management software packages, $4000 worth of professional services from Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick, promotion in Australian Anthill Magazine, a selection of books by Tom McKaskill and ongoing media promotion.

INNOVIC’s Next Big Thing Award™ 2007 is supported by MYOB, the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick, City of Melbourne, AusIndustry, IP Australia, Australian Anthill Magazine, DGM Collective, La Salle Matrix Thinking, Haigh’s Chocolates and the Australian Innovation Festival.

Applications open on 22 November 2006.