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Byron Shire Council & Sourdough Business Pathways

Press Release

September 2021: Byron Shire Council & Sourdough Business Pathways partner to support purpose-led founders to create businesses that support our local economy, community & environment

Byron Shire Council and Sourdough Business Pathways are delighted to announce the creation of four Subsidised Places for the next Intake of the Sourdough Business Pathways Pre-Accelerator Program – an 8-week course that helps founders take their purposeful idea from concept through to their first product to market. The Program focuses on supporting founders to do better business, and to develop businesses that will benefit our local community, economy and environment.

The Sourdough Pre-Accelerator program was created in collaboration with Flinders University’s New Venture Institute in 2019 and has since mentored over 35 founders through the program. The latest cohort included some -inspiring local founders and environment-championing startups, including Kathryn Nelson, aka Plastic Free Mermaid, with Atoll, an eco-subscription box service that’s aiming to make sustainable living convenient and beautiful; Josh Wellman with The Good Egg Folk, a provider of nutritious omega-rich Hemp Feed for your backyard chickens that’s conveniently delivered to your door; and Morgan Gregson with Prana Pack, a maker of seaweed packaging that regenerates the planet.

Fiona Sheridan, General Manager of Sourdough Business Pathways, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Byron Shire Council to support our emerging local founders who are aiming to create positive impact through business. Collaboration at this level and with many other generous businesses and mentors in support of this next generation really highlights our community spirit and puts us in incredible stead to keep working collectively towards building a stronger, more resilient and nurturing local economy.”

Lisa Richards, Business Enterprise Officer of Byron Shire Council, said: “We are excited to support four local start-ups in completing this program with Sourdough Business Pathways. Byron Shire is known for its entrepreneurship and this is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen partnerships between Council and the business community and support our local entrepreneurs.”

“We are so grateful for this incredibly supportive partnership, and I would also love to thank our existing local mentors and partners who support the founders throughout the program – without them we wouldn’t be able to facilitate this with such impact. Deepest thanks to Todd Sotheren and Nick Mason of Agency Byron, Anastasia Utesheva of DNA Pathways, Diego Trigo of Hello Again, and Marc Sofer of Byron Ventures and Byron Bay Angels, as well as all our amazing mentors including Margot Cairns, Zach Rook, Hannah Mitchell of Alcana, Michael Gale and Amy Swartz of First Penny, Josh Mundey of The Local Kollective, Tom McQuillen of Regen VC, Mitra Ardron, and Jane Laverty of Business NSW. Thanks again all, you make it a richer experience and we couldn’t do it without you,” said Ashleigh Camm, Expert in Residence at Sourdough, and Facilitator of the Pre-Accelerator Program.

The Subsidised Places are aligned with Byron Shire Council’s Community Strategic Plan to promote and support local business development, education and employment opportunities. Founders who are seeking to start a business or have an early-stage business already and are interested to scale it for the benefit of our local economy, community and environment are invited to submit an EOI via the Sourdough website. The Subsidised Places will be chosen by a Panel including representatives from Byron Shire Council and Sourdough Business Pathways.

For more, please go to: www.sbp.org.au/sourdough-pre-accelerator/

END PRESS RELEASE