Call for local heroes to tell their stories

THE region’s budding entrepreneurs are being encouraged to pitch their ideas to a Shark Tank- style event called Local Heroes in Townsville on May 2.

It comes as one of Townsville’s technology stars, journey management software developer JESI, has been selected as a finalist in the Shenzhen International Innovation and Entrepreneurs Awards.

The Local Heroes event is being organised by Townsville innovation hub iNQ.

iNQ chairman John Williams said businesses from throughout North Queensland were being invited to participate in the event.

About 30 start- up ventures will present, vying for a trip to attend the Queensland Government’s marquee innovation and investment event in Brisbane Myriad next month.

Mr Williams said Local Heroes was an opportunity for entrepreneurs to tell their story.

“What we hope to encourage is quality connections and relationships that can allow some of these businesses to take the next step to grow and, ideally, employ more North Queenslanders,” Mr Williams said.

“The concept is designed to have the North Queensland community engage with these businesses and allow for everyone who attends to be able to add value.

“In the audience, we expect there will be professionals who may be able to help the needs of each of these local heroes.”

Staff from JESI Management are travelling to China today to attend the Shenzhen International Innovation and Entrepreneurs Awards

As an Australian finalist, JESI won an all expenses paid trip to present.

CEO of JESI Joe Hoolahan said the awards provided the opportunity to build on relationships they were forging in China.

“We have been exploring several relationships in the China market and this is an opportunity to develop those connections,” Mr Hoolahan said.

“Shenzhen is rapidly becoming a hot spot for technology innovation on a massive scale.”

iNQ is based in offices at Central Village in the Townsville CBD, providing facilities including hot desks, meeting facilities and high speed broadband for start- up companies.

For more information on Local Heroes, email association@ inq. com. au or visit inq. com. au