Small Business September

Small Business September events encompass a wide range of business needs and topics. There are events targeted at different stages of a business's development – from starting up, employing staff, technology and innovation, and expansion into the global marketplace.

The Small Business September website (www.smallbusinessmonth.nsw.gov.au) includes listings of every Small Business September event in every town, region and city of NSW. Small Business September 2008 is set to be the biggest Small Business month ever with more events to choose from, more up-to-date topics and more event types in every region. New innovations on the Small Business website give business owners and operators increased value. Also many event coordinators will post their event presentations on the website so those who missed an event can still access it and use the information as a resource to assist them start, manage and grow their businesses.

Pitch ‘08 Finalists - Ten Clever Ideas from NSW
One aspect of Small Business September is an opportunity for ten of the most promising small businesses in NSW to ‘pitch' their ideas to a panel of financial and business experts and potential investors at NSW Pitch '08. Of five finalists, two were from the Central Coast:
• Soundsreal.com - a rapidly growing next-generation software company with established cashflows which empowers businesses to harness web 2 presentation technologies in ways never thought possible. It is operated by Steven and Helen Mitchell from Green Point.
• WaterCell - an engineered, high volume rainwater harvesting system and an integrated on-site detention facility providing potable quality water for residential, commercial and industrial developments. WaterCell was developed by Gosford-based Vision Water Pty Ltd.

NSW Pitch '08 is co-hosted by the Australian Small Scale Offerings Board Limited (ASSOB) and the NSW Department of State of Regional Development (DSRD). The winning business receives a listing on the Australian Small Scale Offerings Board, valued at $40,000 (based on an average $500,000 capital raising). The runner-up prize is valued at $11,000, and the third prize worth $10,000.

Community Economic Development Forum
DSRD will host a Community Economic Development Forum on 23 September at Ettalong Beach War Memorial Club on the topic of Skills and the Workplace. Keynote speakers include:
• Paul Pisasale, Mayor of Ipswich – a strong advocate for economic development and creating a future through people and partnerships; and
• Linda Hailey – a small business expert whose presentation, ‘Small Business Growth Demystified’ provides valuable insights into the growth timeline and explores the challenges and opportunities businesses face as they grow; along with the worries and concerns of business owners in each of the four growth phases.

The program features projects developed in partnership with DSRD that have recently been completed on the Central Coast – A Smarter Central Coast and An Ageing Population. It will also provide information on DSRD’s business programs and Tourism NSW.

Small Business September is hosted by the NSW Department of State and Regional Development.

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