Strengthening the capabilities of the Peel region’s human capital is a key objective for the Peel Development Commission. Reflecting this commitment, the Commission sponsored a Peel-based applicant for the 2023 Curtin Ignition program.
Words: Peel Development Commission | Images: Curtin Ignition Program
The Peel Development Commission is partnering with Curtin University to sponsor a fully funded place in the 2024 Curtin Ignition Program, a five-day intensive course providing knowledge, skills, and support to aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators to trial and prepare business ideas for the commercial environment.
The sponsorship, valued at $3,750, aims to support a Peel-based recipient in bringing their business innovation to fruition and providing them with advanced skills and networking opportunities to further their professional development. Scholarship applications are now open and will close on 4 July 2024. Criteria for scholarships and how to apply can be found at curtin.edu/ignition.
Our scholarship recipient for the 2023 Curtin Ignition program identified a common problem at our beaches and aimed to solve it using sustainable means. Peel business owner Nicole Ingram noticed the inconvenience faced by families with dogs at the beach, juggling between pet and play. From this observation, a concept emerged: a product allowing dog owners to secure their pets while on sandy beaches. Nicole developed a prototype effective in sandy conditions, unlike existing options that are limited to hard ground. She plans to produce the product using recycled plastic, addressing the gap left by the discontinuation of the RED cycle soft plastic initiative.
“Long term, I’d like to establish recycled plastic manufacturing in the Peel region, so that we can use our plastic waste to support the manufacture of recycled plastic products locally. This will create jobs in the Peel region and open the opportunity for other businesses to have their products made in Peel from recycled plastic too,” she said.
Nicole found her time at Curtin Ignition invaluable. “Some of the most impactful experiences were listening to other people’s business ideas, understanding their WHY, and hearing about their journeys so far.” Through the program, she
refined her business model and developed a valuable network that was instrumental in shaping her path forward. “…the contacts have helped me understand the steps I need to take to fully develop my product from prototype to initial launch and then onto full scale manufacture. It’s an exciting journey!”
MORE INFORMATION
Apply now to attend Curtin Ignition
The PDC funded scholarship is open to Peel-based businesses or applicants residing in the Peel region. Scholarship applications close on 4 July 2024.
Curtin Ignition will run from Sunday 1 September – Friday 6 September 2024. For more information, visit curtin.edu/ignition.
This is an excerpt of an article first published in the Spring/Summer 2023 edition of Peel Magazine.