Somerset Celebration of Entrepreneurship

2024 Celebration of Entrepreneurship
Speaker Spotlight | ZAIN AL-SAFFI

A 2022 Somerset alumnus, is pursuing a Bachelor of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Queensland, specializing in statistics and machine learning. As a key member of UQ Racing, Zain contributes his expertise to the autonomous department, developing sophisticated algorithms for their self-driving Formula-style race car. UQ Racing, a Formula Student team, designs and builds high performance vehicles to compete in the annual FSAE competition in Victoria. They are currently ranked 1st in Australia and 6th worldwide. This prestigious program serves as a pathway to careers in Formula 1 and other high-performance automotive industries. For this presentation, Zain will be joined by UQ Racing's leadership from a variety of subsystems. Together, they will showcase how they have used their STEM degrees as a team to design an engineering project and enhance their studies.

You can catch Zain at 11.30am on Tuesday 10 September, 2024 in the Suzanne Roberts Theatre.

2024 Celebration of Entrepreneurship
Speaker Spotlight | RYAN NEALE

Ryan is a 2015 Somerset College graduate who has forged a path driving results in high-growth software startups. He has played a key role in launching and growing companies that have achieved over $90 million in combined revenue. Ryan’s experience has also attracted interest from corporate giants such as Tesla
and Rio Tinto. At present, Ryan serves as Head of Support at ProcurePro, a Construction Technology startup that is taking the construction industry by storm.

You can catch Ryan at 11.30pm on Wednesday 11 September, 2024 in the Great Hall.

2024 Celebration of Entrepreneurship
Speaker Spotlight | PRUE BAUER

Prue Bauer is a visionary leader and expert in sustainability, future of food, Agtech, and food innovation. As CEO of Airgarden, she identified a critical problem in the future of food and developed an accessible solution. Prue is a sought-after speaker, sharing her insights at global conferences and inspiring audiences to rethink food production, sustainability, and technology's role. Her dynamic presentations draw from her experience as a founder and innovator, providing actionable strategies and practical solutions. With deep understanding of Agtech, Prue guides individuals, businesses, and communities in navigating industry challenges and opportunities.

You can catch Prue at 1.50pm on Tuesday 10 September, 2024 in the Suzanne Roberts Theatre.

2024 Celebration of Entrepreneurship
Speaker Spotlight | NICK RICHARDS

Nick Richards is a dynamic professional with extensive experience in banking, finance, and entrepreneurship. Holding a Master of Commerce degree in Banking and Finance, Nick began his career in corporate banking, honing expertise in financial management and strategic decision-making. Driven by a passion for innovation, he founded five successful ventures. His entrepreneurial journey is marked by identifying market opportunities, building high-performing teams, and navigating complex challenges. With deep knowledge in capital raising and investment banking, Nick has secured funding for ventures and executed strategic financial transactions. His diverse skill set drives growth, fosters innovation, and creates lasting impact in the finance and startup sectors.

You can catch Nick at 10.30am on Wedneday 11 September, 2024 in the Great Hall.

2024 Celebration of Entrepreneurship
Speaker Spotlight | SOPHIA RIZZO

Sophia Rizzo is the innovative founder of Glitter Girl, a brand dedicated to creating eco-friendly, fun cosmetics that spread happiness and inspire confidence. As a student at Marymount College on the Gold Coast, Sophia turned her passion for glitter and creativity into a thriving business. Her journey began at just 10 years old, and since then, she has been recognised for her entrepreneurial spirit and community contributions. Sophia's mission is to make every girl feel magical, and her brand has garnered a loyal following of customers who love her sparkly, environmentally-conscious products.

You can catch Sophia at 11.30am on Tuesday 10 September, 2024 in the Great Hall.

2024 Celebration of Entrepreneurship
Speaker Spotlight | SINEAD SINGH

Sinead Singh is a proud Wiradjuri woman with connections to the Bundjalung people. Born in Queanbeyan, NSW, and raised on the Gold Coast and in Tweed Heads, Sinead has become a successful businesswoman and entrepreneur, running multiple ventures. She is the founder and director of First Nation Start-Up and Wangharra Indigenous Consulting. Sinead earned her Master's degree in International Relations from Bond University and subsequently worked in Canberra at defence intelligence. Her time at Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) in Brisbane, ignited her passion for economic development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This experience fueled her dedication to supporting First Nations businesses and helping her community thrive in the business world.

You can catch Sinead at 10.30am on Tuesday 10 September, 2024 in the Great Hall.

2024 Celebration of Entrepreneurship
Speaker Spotlight | ELEANOR CAREY

Eleanor Carey is the first Australian woman to row across the mid-Pacific Ocean. Spending 62 days at sea in a 7.5m ocean rowing boat, she battled extreme seasickness, sleep deprivation, multiple hurricanes and forty-foot waves to set two Guinness World Records as part of a trio. A true adventurer at heart, Eleanor has also cycled solo across Europe, conquered a 100km ultra-marathon and completed many more multi-day human-powered journeys worldwide. Through these extreme journeys, Eleanor has learned the power of adventure therapy and nature’s ability to assist in healing, overcoming trauma and to fuel personal growth.

You can catch Eleanor at 1.20pm on Wednesday 11 September, 2024 in the Great Hall.

2024 Celebration of Entrepreneurship
Speaker Spotlight | Olumidé Opeyemi

Olumidé is the Bridge/BridgeTech fellow at TRI Brisbane and founder of the medical technology company HEALD. A “citizen of the world”, Olú’s technical experience covers four continents over 15 years. He is also a baritone with a wide vocal range, performing in chorales across the four continents where he has travelled. Olumide holds a Ph.D. in Biophysics with concentrations on Cardiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Computer Science. Olumidé’s clinical research at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and TRI is focused on medical imaging diagnostics for occult cardiovascular disease and left-sided breast cancer. He simply wants to help make something generationally impactful.

You can catch Olumidé at 10.00am on Wednesday 11 September, 2024 in the Great Hall.

2024 Celebration of Entrepreneurship
Speaker Spotlight | BONNIE HANCOCK

Bonnie Hancock recently broke the Guinness World Record for fastest circumnavigation of mainland Australia by paddle. Growing up in Sawtell, NSW, she initially excelled in board paddling and swimming. After moving to the Gold Coast, she competed in the Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Series for seven years. Inspired by a book, she began her journey in 2020 and completed it in 254 days, breaking the previous record by over two months. She also set the record for the furthest distance paddled in 24 hours (open ocean) by a female. Bonnie now shares her story as a keynote speaker, author, and TED talk presenter.

You can catch Bonnie at 1.20pm on Tuesday 10 September, 2024 in the Great Hall.

We have wrapped the 2023 Somerset Celebration of Entrepreneurship, where innovation and inspiration converged to ignite and nurture students' entrepreneurial spirit.

Students were immersed in the wisdom of accomplished speakers and globally renowned entrepreneurs who, through firsthand accounts of triumphs and setbacks, gave invaluable insights into the world of business.

Our budding Year 9 entrepreneurs took centre stage, showcasing their products and engaging with the wider College community at their business stalls. Meanwhile, Year 6 students unveiled their YearSixpreneur stalls, proving that age is no barrier to creativity and business acumen.

The Celebration of Entrepreneurship is not just an event; it's a gateway to knowledge, networks, and hands-on experiences that will empower students to shape their own futures.

Thanks to all who joined us as guest entrepreneurs and those who helped organise the event.

We can't wait to see what's in store for next year!

It's Day 2 at the Somerset Celebration of Entrepreneurship!
An impressive line up of guests fill today's programme.

That's a wrap for Day One of the Celebration of Entrepreneurship for 2023! Here's a short snippet of Lisa Wade's inspiring session today. Stay tuned for more from this week's festival. #SomersetCofE #Entrepreneurship #Somerset2023