I2N mentors and program participants provide their top content for 2020

Thursday, 17 December 2020

Summer innovation inspiration from the I2N's Venture Mentor Service mentors and ventures as they reflect on their achievements turning ideas into impact.

We've reached out to I2N founders, mentors and program facilitators for their top innovation and entrepreneurship related reading and listening inspiration to while away lazy days at the beach and road-trips this summer holiday.

Gabby

Gabrielle Aarons-Burton

My favourite book this year would have to be Start With Why by Simon Sinek. The concept makes so much sense in all aspects of life. This book has made me rethink goals, how I will market my business and how to connect with an audience.

Gabrielle is a University of Newcastle student, founder of Learning Physiotherapy and a participant in I2N's Venture Mentor Service.

Andrew 

Andrew Stead

The two podcasts that I have enjoyed over 2020 are How I Built This with Guy Raz and StartUp by Gimlet Media. They both cover the startup founder journey and offer a lot of insight and lessons for those thinking about or on their own journey.

Andrew is the Entrepreneur in Residence at insurer IAG and a mentor in I2N's Venture Mentor Service.

sorrell 

Sorrell Osborne

For anyone looking to join, start, build or grow a technology business, Ben Evans' insights, predictions and hot tips are brilliant. He has the uncanny ability to take complex problems, industries and technologies and make them approachable.

Sorrell is the Chief Operating Officer of Diffuse Energy and an Incubator participant at I2N Hub Williamtown.

glenn 

Glenn Downey

This year I was involved in the development of the NSW Chief Scientist's Australian Semiconductor Sector Study. NSW has amazing talent and opportunities in this globally significant sector and it's important we encourage research and entrepreneurial capabilities to make meaningful societal & economic contributions.

Glenn is an Executive Director at The Maltby Group and a mentor in I2N's Venture Mentor Service.

tricia 

Tricia Martin

In a climate where 'self-help' has been just as sought after as toilet paper, Atomic Habits by James Clear was a refreshing look at good habit development in a way that is completely relatable and so simple! I am all about science-based and actionable strategies for behaviour change without the ‘you got this’ clichés and this delivers.

Tricia is the founder of Virtual Intern and a participant in I2N's Venture Mentor Service.

lauren 

Lauren Eade

The Stuff You Should Know podcast is not usually entrepreneurial in nature, but certainly does provide plenty of small talk content for holiday get togethers, especially around turkey parthenogenesis - it keeps us learning!

Lauren Eade is a specialist intellectual property lawyer at Davis Collison Cave and is a mentor in I2N's Venture Mentor Service.

bal 

Bal Dhital

I’ll admit it’s not original to suggest a well-known resource, but The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek is well-known for a reason! This easy-to-read roadmap has guided my first steps in the world of social enterprise, whilst demonstrating the significance of values and the importance of building something the right way.

Bal is the co-founder of Borne Clothing, a Grand Challenge grant recipient and Navigator graduate.

ryan 

Ryan Lecchi

I have loved listening to The Funny Business Podcast this year. The episode featuring Gabby Leibovich (catch.com.au) really took the cake for me as he shares some incredible stories from his business life. Combined with his quick wit and unique life experiences, it's a very entertaining podcast episode.

Ryan is the founder of TypeStrong and a Navigator and Validator graduate.

prem 

Prem Chand

I am often asked about the valuation at which a startup should be pitched at. Valuation is just a number - it has no impact unless you successfully raise. What matters is what you do with those funds to create value. This Founder's Checklist for Startup Financing is useful for highlighting financial considerations when fundraising.

Prem is the CEO at Roadhound Electronics and a mentor in I2N's Venture Mentor Service.

yannick 

Yannick Zapf

The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb is about unique, unforeseeable events in history that changed humanity in a material and lasting way. COVID-19 is a “black swan” event. There will be more events. We don’t know what will happen, but they will happen. Get ready with this book. Maybe something positive this time?

Yannick a Director at YZ Consulting and a mentor in I2N's Venture Mentor Service.

emily 

Emily Chang

In Depth podcast by First Round Review features guests who are founders or first hires of startups talking about the learnings and painful failures they experienced when building new ventures. The discussions focus on stripping things down to the basics rather than the often hyped-up 'rah-rah' echoed throughout the startup world.

Emily is the founder of StokeCo and a facilitator for Navigator and Validator.

matt 

Matthew Barry

Using poker as a frame of reference, Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke is a book that gets you thinking about how to make better decisions with partial information and how to reflect on your decision making process. Good results ≠ Good decisions. These are invaluable skills that can be applied to your personal and professional life.

Matthew is an Incubator participant at I2N Hub Hunter Street and is the founder of Actified


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