One of the highlights of this year's Festival of Ambitious Ideas, the annual showcase of Canberra's innovators, game-changers and status quo challengers, will be the celebration of 5 years of the ACT Microcredit Loan Program.
The ACT Microcredit Loan Program is delivered via a three-way partnership involving the ACT Government, Westpac Institutional Bank and Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre (Lighthouse).
This partnership seeks to provide fair, safe and ethical loans to eligible individuals wanting to start or grow a business.
Lighthouse CEO Anna Pino says, "The Festival of Ambitious Ideas seemed a fitting way to celebrate the many innovative businesses and entrepreneurial individuals who have participated in the ACT Microcredit Loan Program over the past 5 years."
The theme for this year's Festival of Ambitious Ideas is the 'Future of Work' and 12 speakers from a range of industries will share their experiences of how they have harnessed drivers of change such as flexible work, globalisation and collaborative technologies to meet future challenges.
"The event uses an Ignite format, where each speaker has only 5 minutes to tell their story and 'ignite' the audience," says Ms Pino.
"There's a great line up of speakers including astronomer and Nobel Laureate Professor Brian Schmidt; Jennifer Hancock from the new Canberra co-working space WOTSO Workspace; Incubator Facilitator Sebastian Perri from the Academy of Interactive Entertainment; Principal of Orana Steiner School Dee Whitby who will talk about the 2020 Classroom; Microcredit recipient and local eco fashion label PurePod and many more".
There will also be a number of displays showcasing companies taking part in the Microcredit program, including April's Caravan, Solution Solution, Tjillari Justice and PurePod.
Andrew Buttsworth, Head of Westpac Institutional Bank, ACT said "As Australia's oldest company and first Bank, Westpac has been helping Australian businesses start up for nearly two centuries. We think that Lighthouse's on the ground business mentoring expertise, combined with Westpac's funding and the ACT Government's policy support can genuinely change lives, and we are proud to be part of this important programme."
The Festival of Ambitious Ideas will be held on the 30th July from 5:30pm to 9pm.
For more information visit http://www.actmicrocredit.com.au/events/67-festival-of-ambitious-ideas-30-july-2015.html
About the ACT Microcredit Loan Program
The ACT Microcredit Loan Program provides interest free loans up to $3,000; and low-interest (3%) loans between $3,001 and $10,000 to eligible individuals. Additionally, the program provides a range of support services including business ideas assessment, one-on-one mentoring, peer support and opportunities to attend expert and peer-led group discussions and networking events.
The focus of the program is on skilling the loan recipients on business planning and management.
About the Festival of Ambitious Ideas
Speakers for the Festival of Ambitious Ideas include:
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Anna Pino, Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre |
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Andrew Buttsworth, Westpac Institutional Bank |
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Yvette Berry MLA |
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Professor Brian Schmidt |
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Speaker 1: Dee Whitby, Principal of Orana Steiner School |
The 2020 Classroom |
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Speaker 2: Sarah Pearson, CBR Innovation Network |
Entrepreneurship in the ACT – A Tool to Author Your Career |
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Speaker 3: Sebastian Perri, AIE Incubator |
How AIE Incubator is helping to build an Independent Games Industry in the ACT |
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Speaker 4: Calum Spring, Carboard Keep |
Self Publishing and Independent Game Development in the ACT |
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Speaker 5: Kelli Donovan, Pure Pod |
The True Cost of the Fashion Industry on the Environment |
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Speaker 6: Kate Freeman, Healthy Eating Hub |
Removing the Rules from Healthy Eating |
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Speaker 7: Katie Doherty, Solution Solution |
New Science, Lost Art |
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Speaker 8: Jo Scard, Fifty Acres |
Re-imagining Our Workplace: Generating productivity by creating a culture of openness and trust |
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Speaker 9: Jennifer Hancock, WOTSO WorkSpace |
Co-working: Grudge purchase or Future necessity? |
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Speaker 10: Clare Gilligan, Makers Lane |
The Maker Trend - Bringing Back Special |
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Speaker 11: Kim Houghton, Strategic Economic Solutions |
Small Business meeting Local Needs with a Global Supply Chain |
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Speaker 12: Tony Lane, Vincents Chartered Accountants |
The Evolution of the Professional Services Firm: Challenges and Misperceptions |
About Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre
Since July 2008, Lighthouse has worked with over 990 distinct enterprises and provided group and peer based services to over 3400 enterprises and individuals. For over five years Lighthouse has successfully delivered business advice, education, mentorship and networking opportunities to help these businesses commercialise their ideas and grow their companies. Lighthouse also delivers programs such as the ACT Microcredit Program for the ACT Government. Visit www.lighthouseinnovation.com.au for more information.
