Supporting next gen Victorian entrepreneurs
Matthews Steer Partner and Director Adrian Misiano came face to face with the next generation of Victorian entrepreneurs, joining the judging panel for the illuminate:nextgen Challenge | Maribyrnong & Moonee Valley.
A week-long immersive education experience, the illuminate:nextgen Challenge gives primary and high school students nationwide the opportunity to explore what it takes to get a project or business idea off the ground, improving their communication, understanding,
problem solving and collaboration skills along the way.
Supported by skilled facilitators, the students work in teams to design digital solutions to everyday problems within their community, exploring and researching challenges, brainstorming and refining concepts, investigating the financial viability of their proposed
solutions, and presenting at a launch event.
Adrian said it was inspiring to hear from some of Victoria’s future leaders.
“It was fascinating to get an insight into how these students see the world – and business – through their own lens,” said Adrian.
“They come up with ideas that may never occur to us, based on their own experiences. There were pitches around digital connectivity, waste recycling, sport and homelessness, they are motivated to solve problems that affect them personally.”
The Challenge, which took place in April and May, is designed to build the student participants’ confidence, creativity and capability, and to improve their capacity to make the big decisions they’ll have to take in around their future education and employment choices.
Adrian joined the judging panel as part of Matthews Steer’s ongoing contribution to the local North West Melbourne community, reviewing the students’ pitches, assessing their presentations and asking them questions about the implementation of their solutions.
“These kids were impressively confident presenting in front of the judges and their peers,” said Adrian. “They are the entrepreneurs of the future, tackling the challenges of the future, and there were several I’d like to employ myself!”