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Melbourne Uni Paves The Way For International Entrepreneurs

24 September 2015

Small Business, Innovation and Trade Minister Philip Dalidakis today welcomed the University of Melbourne’s announcement that it will be the first international partner of the globally renowned Nasdaq Entrepreneur Center in San Francisco.

The new partnership will help Melbourne University facilitate student exchanges, alumni networking and access to a global entrepreneurial ecosystem of industry experts and mentors – opening the door for Victorian start-up companies seeking to access opportunities in San Francisco’s world-leading technology sector.

Melbourne University is Victoria’s highest ranked university and joins illustrious company in partnering with the centre, including the University of Notre Dame, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the University of California Berkeley.

Established in 2014, the Nasdaq Entrepreneur Center is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting aspiring and established entrepreneurs through the development and delivery of education and mentoring programs.

Primarily focused on Silicon Valley and San Francisco’s tech start-up community, the Nasdaq Entrepreneur Center offers lectures and seminars, detailed information on the entrepreneurial sector as well as hands-on business mentoring and technical assistance.

The Andrews Labor Government is committed to supporting international collaboration with our world-class universities, especially in the ICT and start-up space. ICT is one of six key growth sectors in the Back to Work Plan, that will be targeted to drive economic growth and create jobs in Victoria.

This year the Labor Government also committed $60 million to a Victorian start-up initiative to strengthen Victoria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and assist with the scale up and creation of high-potential businesses.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis

“The Nasdaq Entrepreneur Center’s decision to invite the University of Melbourne to be it’s very first international partner underlines Victoria’s position as a globally recognised centre for ICT innovation.”

“The Andrews Labor Government understands the value of start-up initiatives to our economy. We are committed to providing Victorian entrepreneurs with support through our strong network of international business offices and targeted initiatives like the $60 million start-up fund.”

Quotes attributable to Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne Glyn Davis

“Universities have a vital role to play in creating great entrepreneurial eco-systems. Entrepreneurship at Melbourne is the seed that is driving a rapidly expanding innovation eco-system.”

“This partnership allows the next generation of Australian entrepreneurs to access an international start-up ecosystem and is a global step to allow this thriving entrepreneurial culture here in Melbourne to further grow.”

Reviewed 10 February 2021

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