Local support for tourism entrepreneurs, founders and business owners
For tourism founders, entrepreneurs and business owners, it can be a constant challenge to balance working in the business with working on the business. Innovating new products and visitor experiences, upgrading booking systems, and finding better ways of working all take time and often money.
That’s where the Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN) can help.
Who is CBRIN?
CBRIN is the ACT’s central innovation hub, established in 2014 as a key ACT Government initiative, with a simple mission: to connect entrepreneurs, small businesses, universities and research institutions to drive innovation, growth and jobs.
A common misconception is that innovation just means technology. It doesn’t. Innovation means the process of creating value by developing new ideas, products, or methods that deliver improvement or solve unmet needs.
Most tourism businesses are already innovating – experimenting with new visitor experiences, adopting new booking or sales distribution models, or collaborating across the sector in different ways. CBRIN exists to help businesses like these go further, faster.
Whether you run a tour company, an accommodation provider, a food and hospitality business, or a visitor attraction, CBRIN’s tools, programs and networks are open to you.
What CBRIN Offers
Whatever stage of your tourism business – from a spark of an idea through to scaling up and growing a business – CBRIN offers three key streams of support:
- Funding Opportunities
- The Innovation Connect (ICON) Grant is open now and offers matched-funded grants between $10,000 – $30,000. Grant expressions of interest are open now.
- Other funding pathways include the ACTivate Capital venture capital fund and venture debt via Epicorp. Contact CBRIN to find out more.
- Business development and growth
- The Idea to Impact Workshop Series is designed to help entrepreneurs sharpen their skills and turn early-stage ideas into action.
- The SME Business Accelerator gives ambitious small business founders and leaders dedicated time to unlock business growth.
- The GRIFFIN Accelerator mentor-led 3 month intensive program for high-growth potential teams, including the chance to pitch for $100,000 in investment.
- Connections and Community
CBRIN’s range of events are a great way to meet potential investors, partners, and like-minded business owners that are probably dealing with some of the same issues you are.
- Monthly First Wednesday Connect networking events are free and bring together ~200 entrepreneurs and owners, investors, researchers, and creatives with a chance to pitch your business or idea.
- Female Founders bi-monthly events for women-led businesses in multiple formats, ranging from tradeshows to fireside chats.
- SME Breakfast run quarterly for SME founders and leaders in providing a chance to start your day with real, candid conversations.
Want to find out how CBRIN could work for you? Check out some of Canberra’s well-known tourism and hospitality businesses that have already made use of CBRIN’s programs.
- ONA Coffee
- Bentspoke Brewing
- Three Mills Bakery
- Underground Spirits
- Capital Wines
- The Blackwattle Farm
- Cypher Brewing
- Café Stepping Stone
- Oasis Raquet Club
Click here to book in a free 30min chat with CBRIN to find out how they could help you or get along to one of their upcoming events and meet the team.