Sponsored — City of Unley
Fish Tank is the City of Unley’s flagship youth entrepreneurship program. Since 2016, the initiative has provided opportunities for young people to gain support for their original business ideas and to win prize packages which help them grow their concepts into real-world businesses. South Australian Business Chamber continues to proudly support Fish Tank.
In a world where we aren’t sure what jobs will exist in five to ten years, design thinking skills and an entrepreneurship mindset are more important than ever. And indeed, are critical to solving some of the world’s problems.
This year’s Fish Tank program is bigger and better than ever, with new sponsors coming on board who also recognise the importance of supporting youth leadership and innovation.
The RAA, Rotary Club of Unley, Tilbrook Rasheed Chartered Accountants, the South Australian Business Chamber, and the Department for Industry, Innovation and Science are all involved in providing a range of exciting prizes, speakers, and mentorship opportunities.
The program includes free instructional workshops, where young people can learn from business leaders and other young entrepreneurs to help them create and present their business ideas.
Young people with a firm idea for a business are invited to apply to the Fish Tank competition — their businesses can be in early phases of operation, or still at the concept development stage.
Applications are assessed against selection criteria and finalists progress to the Pitch Night, where they present their business idea to Fish Tank judges to win a share in $2,000 seed funding and business mentorship with a range of expert (and networked) advisors from sponsoring bodies.
Fish Tank Program Coordinator Alyssa Hill says entrepreneurship support can have far-reaching effects for participants. ‘All young people who live, work, play or study in Unley can apply.’
‘Successful past projects include a teenager launching their own media company, a team developing and promoting a canned seltzer for younger consumers, a project to help smaller fashion brands find new markets, and a feminine hygiene product that has gone global in its impact – you don’t know what the next winning concept from young people may be,’ said Alyssa.
‘Many previous finalists have carefully considered how their ideas can create positive social and environmental impact. We’ve seen so many great businesses come out of this program. But not every idea has to try and change the world – services or products that meet a consumer need or desire are just as relevant.’
Fish Tank applications are now open and close at midnight on Sunday 19 May.
