Eastern Innovation Business Centre (EIBC) has launched into 2019 on a high, inviting Dr Zivit Inbar to join the EIBC community as its Expert-in-Residence.

Zivit will lead the Fund Your Way initiative, made possible through a LaunchVic Grant secured by EIBC in October last year. The grant is aimed at positioning Victoria as an internationally recognised Startup Ecosystem as well as enhancing capability and excellence in the Startup community.

After connecting with Danielle Storey via a City of Knox innovation event, Zivit says a discussion began about the lack of dedicated Startup development programs in Melbourne’s South East, despite the fact that the region is home to so many innovators.

“Dr Zivit Inbar is a global expert on Startup success and we are so fortunate to have her within our community. We cannot wait to see the results of this project at our innovation space,” said Danielle Storey, CEO, Eastern Innovation Business Centre.

“Zivit is the perfect Expert-in-Residence as she is deeply experienced and passionate about helping Startups and Founders of Accelerating Ventures (FAVs) refine their pitch, consolidate their offering and find the ideal funding partner.”

The Fund Your Way program has been set up to provide information and education to Startups and FAVs in East and South East Melbourne. Participants will learn about the different requirements of investors – and how businesses can prepare for potential investment.

Over four engaging events and four additional workshops sessions throughout February and March, Zivit and her guests will share:

• How to refine core pitching skills
• The different requirements and interests of investors – crowdfunding, venture capital, angel investors and accelerators
• New skills that connect Founders confidently with investors and secure their trust
• How to explore opportunities for trading with China and Israel

Select participants in the Fund Your Way program will be invited for one-on-one mapping and planning sessions with Zivit.

Specialising in people, culture and leadership strategies for growth, Zivit brings nearly 20 years’ experience to the EIBC community, gained through driving high-level strategies and processes at Board and executive levels for private and listed Australian and global organisations both locally and offshore (China, APAC, Europe and the US).

Zivit has particular and personal expertise in technology companies, Startups and venture capital. In her own business, DifferenThinking, Zivit helps her clients by improving capital investment decisions, supporting management for success, preparing human capital infrastructure for company growth and managing people and performance risks.

“The biggest challenge facing Startups and FAVs right now is execution. Securing the right investor is a turning point for future-focussed businesses,” said Zivit.

“All business owners face skill gaps, but Startups and FAVs have particular challenges – building a high performing team, raising capital and scaling up”.

“You can have the most amazing idea, but success is all about execution. Execution = People + Culture + Leadership” she said. “Investors don’t invest in ideas or technology, they invest in the founders’ team and hence working with potential and actual investors is another skill that founders need to have”.

“I believe Fund Your Way will act as a catalyst for growth for these businesses, with access to highly valuable advice and insights. I’m incredibly excited to be able to bring my own knowledge and my personal network to the EIBC to work with innovators I have met.”

Zivit has invited speakers and mentors from her network of successful high-profile investors to contribute to the program. She will introduce the EIBC community to the ins and outs of funding relationships, covering different financial models such as crowdfunding and angel investors.

Fund Your Way will be a deep dive into how to connect with investors and achieve success. It is a series of four events and four workshops. See the list of events and workshops and register your free place here: https://eibc.net.au/fund-your-way/