Don Wright believes the various startup ecosystems within Australia should work cooperatively

Don Wright believes the various startup ecosystems within Australia should work cooperatively

Don Wright believes the various startup ecosystems within Australia should work cooperatively

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Show Host

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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

Resources

Launch Pad: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/launch-padWestern Sydney Business Connection: https://wsbc.org.au/Don on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-wright-487a2128/

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Day One® is a registered trademark of W2D1 Media Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. © 2026 W2D1 Media Pty Ltd.