The state’s peak business body will host young entrepreneurs at its Ready to Launch event on September 30 ahead of the start of its 12-month young business program.

The South Australian Young Entrepreneurs Scheme (SAYES) is a government-funded program, supported by the Department for Innovation and Skills and the Future Industries Exchange for Entrepreneurship (FIXE).

It aims to help young South Australians turn their business concept into a reality or create a business model for a newly established business.

Business SA said it was looking to attract South Australians aged between 18 and 35 years who wanted to “skyrocket their business to new heights”.

Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni encouraged the state’s young budding entrepreneurs to get involved.

“The next generation of young entrepreneurs will be key to ensuring SA emerges with a renewed confidence out the other side of this COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

Business SA CEO Martin Haese said the program was seeking bright, young business owners who would help lead the state on the road to post-pandemic recovery.

“We’re looking for the disrupters, the risk-takers and the big thinkers,” he said. 

“This year, more than ever, South Australia needs our brightest young business minds to show leadership through business innovation and creativity.” 

Business SA said Ready to Launch would provide startups and small businesses owners with information about how SAYES could assist them to achieve their business goals. 

Jumpstart owner and 2019 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Edward Juers will be among the former participants speaking at the event.

Juers founded portable mobile phone charging business Jumpstart in 2018.

The startup supplies portable mobile phone charger stations to pubs, hospitals and grocery stores, allowing customers to boost their phone batteries while on site.  

He told InDaily he was able to apply the marketing skills he gained as part of the program when launching a new hand sanitising venture with fellow entrepreneur Peter Paleologos during the peak of the pandemic.

“When COVID hit I was forced to pivot my business quickly, otherwise Jumpstart was dead in the water. From this came Handie, a hand sanitiser service for businesses,” Juers said.

“Using the contacts and connections from Jumpstart I leveraged that to get into the market, this includes Business SA.

“This then turned into a flood of interest of over 30 companies reaching out to us.”

Juers said being named the 2019 Young Entrepreneur also boosted his credibility within the business sector.

“It’s introduced me to a lot of people who I wouldn’t have been introduced to and there’s been a lot of exposure for my business that’s come from it.”

He said the program would benefit a range of city-based and regional businesses.

“There will be a larger focus on regional stakeholders and how SAYES cannot only benefit the businesses around here but regional businesses who need just as much help through COVID.

“It’s giving young entrepreneurs the tools they need to battle the ever-changing and harder conditions for a business start-up at the moment.”

In a bid to maximise the number of budding entrepreneurs able to attend the event it will be held at Stone and Chalk in Lot Fourteen as well as live-streamed from 6pm-7pm on Wednesday, September 30. Registration is free. Register here.