01
People in your corner
Help build a circle of people who understand the work behind a business. A place for honest questions, useful introductions and a second opinion when you need one.
Local roots. Shared ambition.
Experience worth
sharing.
A new founder community for Gippsland.
Started by Nigel Thorne, drawing on 30+ years of experience across industries and startups. An invitation to share what you've learned, work through challenges and help others build.
Big ideas belong
in regional places.
One region. Plenty of possibility.
Bass Coast Baw Baw East Gippsland Latrobe South Gippsland Wellington
01 / The community
Good experience.
Better shared.
Running a business teaches you things no course can. The decisions that worked, the ones that didn't and the problems you're still figuring out. Those conversations deserve a place.
Gippsland Founders is bringing business owners and entrepreneurs together to share those lessons and support each other. The community is new. The experience that people can bring to it isn't.
Now inviting founding members to help shape the community.
02 / The founder community
Less small talk.
More moving forward.
An invitation to founders with experience to share.
Here's
the community we're building together.
02
Real challenges. Shared solutions.
Bring the problem you're working through. Pricing, customers, cash flow or what to prioritise. Learn what's worked for others and share what you've figured out.
03
A reason to keep going
Make time for your idea with people doing the same. Share the small wins, talk through the setbacks and turn a good conversation into a next step.
Taking shape in Gippsland. Bring your experience and help decide what comes next.
03 / Giving back through incubation
Give the next generation
a head start.
The planned startup incubator is a way for this community to give back. As the community grows, the aim is to put its experience to work for people testing an idea, building their first offering or finding their first customers.
Help someone start. Or find your own start.The incubator is taking shape. Program details and start dates are still to come.
From "what if" to your first steps
Test the idea
Work out who it's for, what problem it solves and whether people need it. Start with real conversations, not assumptions.
Build a first version
Turn the idea into something people can try. Keep it small, learn from feedback and focus on what matters.
Find your first customers
Explore your offer, pricing and how to reach the right people. Take the first steps towards a business that can stand on its own.
Experience shared today can help someone build tomorrow.
Start where you are
An idea is
enough to begin.
You don't need a registered company, investment or a finished product. You need an interest in building something and a willingness to help others along the way.
There's room for you here"I have an idea."
Explore whether it could become a business. Find people to talk it through with, before you have all the answers.
"I'm getting something started."
You're building a side project, starting a business or looking for your first customers. Get some company for the early days.
"I've been at it a while."
Bring your experience, meet new collaborators and work through your next challenge. There is always more to learn.
A few things worth knowing
Good questions.
Do I need to have a business already?
No. You might be exploring an idea, starting a side project or wondering if running a business is for you. Aspiring founders are just as welcome as people already running a business.
Is this just for tech startups?
No. You're welcome whether you're building software, a product, a service or something else entirely. The common ground is wanting to build a business and help others do the same.
How do the community and incubator fit together?
The community comes first: founders and business owners sharing challenges, solutions and experience. The planned incubator is a way for that community to give back by helping aspiring founders get started. The community is forming now, and the incubator's program and start dates are still being developed.
Where will the community meet?
The community is for people across Gippsland. Locations, formats and dates aren't set yet. Early interest will help shape gatherings that work for the people taking part.
What does it cost?
Community membership, events and incubator arrangements are still being worked out. Any costs will be made clear before you commit to anything.
Something good starts here
Your next chapter.
Better company.
Help shape a community for people with ideas, ambition and a connection to Gippsland. Whether you're ready to start or already on your way, you belong here.
A place for your questions.
People to learn alongside.
Space to build something of your own.
Community, incubator or a bit of both.
Start with a hello.
A good beginning
You're on the list.
Thanks for introducing yourself. Your expression of interest has been saved. The Gippsland Founders organisers can now get in touch as the community and its first gatherings take shape.
Back to the communityA note on your privacy
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