US startups, ecosystems and lessons we can learn from them.

The United States is a reference point for Western culture and especially here in startup-land. From Silicon Valley and SXSW to sitcoms, UX and Twitter influencers, many of us contextualise our efforts (and valuations) and ecosystems in the context of the US.

But what’s it like, really? Is the US even better than we imagine for raising capital, getting philanthropic funding and growing a venture? Or are there ways in which Australian startups have it better? Should we even be looking to the US as a leader in this area?

Andrew Outhwaite will share inspiration, insights and lessons from several trips to the US and other international experience. From Washington to Austin, Sacramento to Portland, he will share stories and lessons from individual ventures, specific ecosystems, and their Federal and State programs in the context of those in Australia and other nations.

For startups, this may help you make sense of what you hear and see from and about the US, and both appreciate what we have locally, advocate for it to be better and consider where you target your international efforts better.

For government, service providers, corporates and philanthropists this session may give you ideas about alternative ways and roles to play in the startup ecosystem in Australia, and the direction in which to grow it.

For us all, this can be the continuation of the conversation and efforts we make to grow an ecosystem that works, for startups, and for those locally and overseas that may look to us (and the US) for leadership or assistance.

Andrew is also giving you the opportunity to let him know what you want from the session ahead of time by answering a couple of quick questions here: https://goo.gl/forms/zOUPXLGc1LxixooX2

Responses are anonymous and will directly inform the content and facilitation of the session.

About Andrew Outhwaite:

Andrew is Chair of StartupWA and delivers the Incubator Facilitator through a contract with the Federal Government. His most recent USA trip was courtesy of a US State Department IVLP scholarship. In 2010 he co-founded the social enterprise incubator, Pollinators Inc and WA’s first coworking space: CityHive. Connect via Twitter @ArOuthwaite or www.wearearising.org

Art Credit: Electronic Superhighway: Continental U.S., Alasak Hawaii (1995) by Nam June Paik