Young entrepreneurs network launched
Technion Nobel Laureate, distinguished Professor Danny Shechtman has launched the Technion Society of Australia’s (TSA) Young Entrepreneurs’ Network.
Danny Shechtman and Jeremy Reid
TSA Executive Director, Ken Lander, said that the network was a suggestion of one of the young entrepreneurs during a meeting mid last year.
“He said to me that although the community had a number of breakfast and luncheon groups there was nothing specifically catering to young entrepreneurs,” Mr Lander said.
“It was clear to us that the Technion, as the recognised powerhouse behind Israel, the start-up nation, and particularly its high tech sector, was the logical home for such a group.”
“We had a standing invitation to Professor Shechtman, the Technion’s 2011 Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, to come to Sydney and he agreed to come to launch the network,” he said.
About 20 entrepreneurs under the age of 40 and their mentors attended the launch at a cocktail reception held in the home of Jeremy and Tammi Reid.
“We recognised that this was group that wanted to talk business in an informal atmosphere and the feedback has been enthusiastic. The overall feeling was that the network was a great initiative,” Mr Lander said.
The objectives of the network include creating an environment for young entrepreneurs to network, collaborate and support each other’s ideas; introducing mentors and angels from within the senior ranks of successful technology entrepreneurs here in Australia; and providing opportunities to network with Technion researchers and entrepreneurs.
Although launched in Sydney it is the network’s intention to expand to Melbourne in the future.
As the discoverer of quasi-periodic crystals and the creation of a whole new field of science (for which he won the Nobel Prize) Professor Shechtman knows all about entrepreneurship. Since 1986 he has taught a Technological Entrepreneurship class at the Technion attended by between 300 and 600 students every year. Over 10,000 engineers and scientists have used the insights gained in this course to patent their IP and start their own companies.
Professor Shechtman shared his insights into what makes a successful entrepreneur.
