Episode Summary:
Don Wright is the Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Western Sydney University, as well as co-founder of Western Sydney University Launch Pad, a business and innovation support program that provides facilities, assistance and resources for startups and high growth technology based businesses in Western Sydney. Don is also Senior Vice President of Western Sydney Business Connection, a resource hub for Western Sydney based businesses. In his conversation with guest host Will Tjo, Don discusses the growth of the startup ecosystem in Western Sydney over the last decade or so, as well as his belief that the various geographical startup ecosystems within Australia should work in cooperation, rather than competition, and focus on competing on a global stage.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Day One Podcast
00:32 Meet Don Wright
00:45 Don's Current Role and Work at Western Sydney University
01:15 Don's Entrepreneurial Journey
02:22 The Need for Support in Western Sydney
03:38 Creating an Ecosystem in Western Sydney
05:05 Opportunities in Western Sydney
06:41 The Distinct Innovation Identity of Western Sydney
08:28 Gaps Observed in the Ecosystem
10:08 Areas for Improvement in Western Sydney
11:41 Competition Between Ecosystems
13:18 Diversity in the Startup Ecosystem
14:34 Unpopular Opinions on Advocacy
16:13 Understanding and Managing Risk
17:59 Growth in the Western Sydney Ecosystem
19:06 Importance of Collaboration in the Ecosystem