About Us
What is an Incubator?
A business incubator gives support to startups with innovative business ideas by providing the resources a new business needs to succeed. Be it work space, expertise in the form of experience or research, data or information on funding opportunities, the UNE SMART Region Incubator is equipped to assist with the development of businesses in our region.
Safe to Fail + Safe to Grow
The UNE SMART Region Incubator is built on the understanding that success for our region comes from collaboration and shared resources, which is why we’re not only home to our startups or Founders, we also have great relationships with our Mentors and Innovation Partners to be sure we’re working together to continue growing agribusiness and agetch in our region.
We’re supported by the Department of Industry’s Boosting Business Innovation Program, developed to accelerate innovation in NSW by supporting greater collaboration between research organisations like University of New England and their business communities.
Come with Ideas, Come with Skill
With spaces in Tamworth and Armidale and connections across the state, the UNE SMART Region Incubator is the place to jump into the work of building the next generation of smarter AgTech.
Grow in Business, Grow in Life
We’re bringing together remarkable data collected with cutting edge technology, internationally-renowned researchers and our business communities, with a common goal to cultivate a thriving regional economy.
Meet the Team
Liz Egan
Get started today.
Turn your love of our region
into a living.
Everything you’re hearing sounds inspiring; you’ve got an idea, you want to help others, you want to be involved.
Come and talk to Liz about the best way to become part of the incubator ecosystem, whether you’re a Founder, Mentor or Innovation Partner. Liz crafts our calendar of events – it’s set to be a great year of presentations, workshops and inspiring chats over coffee.
Sue-Ellen Hogan
Shaping our networks
into resources, so your
ideas can thrive.
Sue-Ellen works from our Tamworth Centre, drawing together a toolkit to help you with everything from getting you set up in our office spaces, to day-to-day practicalities, to pointing the way towards answers to questions you don’t even know you have… and so much more!
Gary Morgan
Expert In Residence
Gary guides our founders to develop their innovation and business strategies, capabilities and capacity to introduce new or improved product and service offerings, in order to create impact, grow their businesses and create value. Gary is the founder and CEO of People Insights Group, a business consulting and technology company, and managing director of MPT Innovation Group.
Ed Lefley
Lending hands to make
space for your work to become
great, resilient, strong.
You’ll find Ed in our Armidale space, working to welcome new members, supporting the Founders with those always vital day-to-day details. There’s a fine art to logistics, and Ed’s the one to ask. Chat to Ed about the best way to settle into your space quickly so you can hit the ground running!
Helen Taylor
Our stories mean more
built on how we arrive at
the world we’ve dreamed of.
Helen is your go-to person for all things communication. Get in touch for business narrative development, social media, blog content, press releases and media contacts, web copy and more.
Matthew Wysel
People and data
turn ideas into gold
with coffee, comes smarts.
Matthew is developing a data platform that will open up your access to UNE’s data and expertise so you can start collaborating around some of the great resources at your fingertips. Road-test your idea with data and researchers on your side – give your business the edge.
Lou Conway
Great worlds are built with
collaboration, care and
imagination.
Lou is crafting the incubator’s role in the broader regional space. Our Innovation Partners work with Lou to grow the long-lasting relationships our region is built on, ensuring that the innovation ecosystem has the support we need to shape our future.
We Are Founders, Mentors & Innovation Partners
It all starts with Founders. Fresh Start-ups, grow into Established SMEs. If you want to be part of the community, but can’t relocate, join us as an Affiliate Founder. There’s a place for you at the UNE SMART Region Incubator.
Mentors guide Founders through their growth journey. Old hands and domain experts from business and academia. We’re always on the look-out for more Mentors; connect with us, and help Founders build their business while you excel yours.
Innovation Partners give back time and opportunities. They keep their eyes on the bigger picture and keep Founders and Mentors on track. Bring your Corporate opportunities or your community connections.
Engage other members with your network; tap into theirs.