In Episode 8, the last of Coast and Commerce Season 4, Ben Amos chats with Brad Chesham, founder of Bundle of Rays, about the transformative potential of immersive learning technologies of XR, AR, and VR in healthcare education. Brad shares his journey from nursing to entrepreneurship, the challenges of innovating in a conservative industry, dealing with entrepreneurial sacrifices and the importance of building a community of early adopters to champion emerging technologies. He emphasises the need for a shift in how medical education is delivered and the role of disruptive innovators in driving change within Australian healthcare systems.

Takeaways

• Immersive learning can revolutionize medical education.
• The transition from traditional teaching to XR is challenging but necessary.
• Healthcare innovation faces significant institutional inertia.
• Building a sustainable business model is crucial for startups.
• Mental health and work-life balance are critical for entrepreneurs.
• Community support is vital for startup success.
• The future of nursing education will involve objective skill assessments.
• Disruptors play a key role in challenging the status quo.
• Collaboration between academia and industry is essential for innovation.
• Adopters of new technologies can help drive change in healthcare.

Chapters

00:00 The Power of Immersive Learning

05:59 Transforming Medical Education

12:02 Challenges in Healthcare Innovation

17:48 The Journey of a Startup Founder

24:02 Scaling Up: New Opportunities and Challenges

30:00 The Future of XR in Healthcare

36:02 Disruption and Institutional Inertia

41:12 Building a Community of Practice

Click here for more https://innovatemedia.com.au/S4-8

On episode S4-7 Ben Amos speaks with Craig Josic, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, about the importance of collaboration in business, the evolution of the Sunshine Coast's business ecosystem, and the role of FWD›››FEST in driving business community engagement and entrepreneurial growth. They discuss pivotal moments in the region's development, the concept of Silicon Coast, the region's recognition from Google, and explore the future vision for the Sunshine Coast as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Takeaways

• Collaboration is essential for success in today's competitive landscape.
• The Sunshine Coast offers a unique lifestyle and business opportunities.
• Building relationships is crucial for entrepreneurial success.
• Recognition from Google E-Town Award was a pivotal moment for the Sunshine Coast.
• Community support is vital for entrepreneurs facing challenges.
• The ecosystem thrives on collaboration, not competition.
• The future of the Sunshine Coast is bright with innovation.
• Identifying and filling gaps in the ecosystem is necessary for growth.
• FWD>>>Fest serves as a catalyst for community connections and engagement.
• Entrepreneurship can provide pathways for youth and future generations.

Chapters

00:00 The Power of Collaboration

01:03 Introducing Craig Josic: Entrepreneur and Philanthropist

02:51 Finding Opportunity on the Sunshine Coast

05:40 Building Relationships in Business

09:24 Catalysts for Change: The Google E-Town Award

12:12 Recognizing the Sunshine Coast on a Global Stage

14:57 The Importance of Community and Shared Experiences

16:51 Ecosystem Dynamics: Collaboration vs. Competition

18:14 The Evolution of the Sunshine Coast's Innovation Landscape

21:08 Identifying Gaps in the Ecosystem

24:50 The Role of Forward Fest in Driving Innovation

30:00 What to Expect at Forward Fest 2025

37:39 Vision for the Future: The Next 10 Years

Click here for more https://innovatemedia.com.au/S4-7

Welcome to episode S3-6 of the Coast and Commerce Podcast. In this conversation, Ben Amos and Colin Graham from Causeway Innovation discuss the evolving business landscape of the Sunshine Coast, focusing on the importance of innovation and the potential for growth within the region. They explore the concept of economic gardening, emphasising the need to nurture existing businesses rather than solely attracting new ones. The discussion highlights the barriers to innovation, such as time constraints, and the necessity for businesses to look beyond their immediate operations to foster a more innovative and collaborative environment. Ben and Colin discuss the importance of identifying and supporting the 'missing middle' of businesses on the Sunshine Coast. They explore the need for a structured support system for second-stage growth companies, the role of government and business leaders in fostering growth, and practical steps for business owners to innovate and thrive. The discussion emphasises the potential for economic development through collaboration, networking, and strategic thinking.

Takeaways

• The Sunshine Coast has strong connections to major cities but needs to enhance its business ecosystem.
• Innovation is crucial for business growth and regional development.
• Local universities play a significant role in fostering talent and innovation.
• Infrastructure improvements are essential for attracting and retaining businesses.
• COVID-19 has accelerated the influx of entrepreneurial talent to the Sunshine Coast.
• Economic gardening focuses on nurturing existing businesses for growth.
• Peer-to-peer learning can significantly enhance business innovation.
• Time constraints are a major barrier to implementing innovative practices.
• Successful companies can serve as models for others in the region.
• Government support should empower industry groups to drive innovation. We need to support these second-stage growth businesses.
• There's a vital 6% of companies with potential.
• Identifying the missing middle is crucial for growth.
• It's time-consuming but eminently possible to identify growth companies.
• A credible business-like group is essential for support.
• Government needs to step back and let businesses lead.
• We need to think big about our ambitions for growth.
• The Sunshine Coast could become an export industry for innovation.
• Extracting success stories can enhance the region's image.
• Business owners should take time to think bigger about their strategies.

Chapters

00:00 The Sunshine Coast's Business Landscape

06:53 Innovation and Growth in the Sunshine Coast

12:09 The Importance of Innovation for Local Businesses

16:01 Economic Gardening vs. Economic Hunting

23:10 Overcoming Barriers to Innovation

26:37 Evaluating Brand Impact and the Missing Middle

29:26 Identifying and Supporting Growth Businesses

33:19 The Role of Government and Business in Growth

38:11 Imagining a Support System for Growth Companies

46:51 Practical Steps for Business Owners to Innovate

Additional Links:

Ambrose from S3-8

Country Chef from S3-7

Click here for more - https://innovatemedia.com.au/S4-6