Discover how the SMART Region Incubator can support your research, ideas, and career. Have you ever wondered what your research or ideas could look like beyond university? Whether there's a pathway to real-world impact, industry connection, or even a business? The UNE SMART Region Incubator (SRI) is the university's home for innovation and entrepreneurship and we're opening our doors so you can see what we're all about.

Get the foundations right. Learn how to structure your business, avoid early mistakes, and set yourself up for sustainable growth. This hands-on session cuts through the confusion of starting a business. We'll cover the key early decisions – business structures, registration, ABN, finances, and the legal basics – so you know exactly what you need to do (and what you can skip for now).

HATCH is our early-stage business program for anyone ready to turn an idea into reality. This year, we're running it as a cohort program – the first kicks off in Armidale in February, followed by a series of masterclasses to support participants as they build.

Come in, see the space, meet the team, and find out what we do. Learn how to join NOVA as a community member and how SRI can support you whether you're exploring your ideas, starting or growing your business.

How to talk about yourself without spiralling. Or walking away with that sinking feeling that the message did not land. Whether you are walking into an interview, stepping on stage, or seizing one clear shot to pitch your business, this session helps you own the moment. You will walk away with a pitch that feels natural and uniquely you - cringe-free and confident.

If social media feels overwhelming, confusing, or like something you should be doing but secretly avoid, then this is the workshop for you! In just one session, you’ll walk away with a doable content plan and a better understanding of how to actually use social media to grow your business (without feeling like you need to dance on Reels or jump on every.single.trend - because yeah, we’re with you. Who has the time for that?!)

Join us on Friday, 21 November at the Wright Centre, UNE Armidale, for National Ag Day 2025. This year’s theme, Stand with the Land, will bring together farmers, researchers, and business leaders to explore how agriculture responds to a shifting global landscape.

Show up online, attract the right clients, and skip the cringe. If social media feels overwhelming, confusing, or like something you should be doing but secretly avoid, then this is the workshop for you! In just one session, you’ll walk away with a doable content plan and a better understanding of how to actually use social media to grow your business (without feeling like you need to dance on reels or jump on every.single.trend - because yeah, we’re with you. Who has the time for that?!).

Dr Kyle Mulrooney will share his expertise on rural criminology, exploring how we can build stronger, more resilient futures for young people in regional communities while tackling the challenges of crime prevention.

If you’re a creative and know that the business side matters but you aren’t sure where to start, this session might be just what you need. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll map out your creative business idea, test whether it’s got legs, and learn how to find (and grow) your audience and market, all with tools you can use straight away.

Because whether you’re just getting started, scaling fast, or planning your exit, a clear strategy is what makes sure your time (and your team's) is spent where it matters. Are you building toward a 1, 5, and 10-year vision… or making it up as you go? If your answer is “somewhere in between,” this is the event for you.

Join us for our September catch up for a coffee at Herdies. Enjoy a morning brew – on Alex this month – as we review our monthly goals, check-in and make some time to enjoy an hour or so of socialising with the Armidale founder community. All founders welcome!

Join us for our September meet-up for a coffee in the glasshouse at DEVA. Enjoy a morning brew – on Jess this month – as we review our monthly goals, check-in on our book club reads and make some time to enjoy an hour or so of socialising with the Tamworth founder community. All founders welcome!

By bridging academic expertise with industry insight, the UNE SRI is helping to build a stronger, more inclusive regional innovation ecosystem. One where innovation is given the frameworks and support to grow from ideation through to real-world products, services and businesses that are making an impact nationally and globally.

Have you been playing around with a business idea but don’t know how to get the ball rolling? Maybe you want to add a new product or service to your current business but aren’t sure if it’ll fly or flop?

Join us for our August catch up for a coffee at Herdies. Enjoy a morning brew – on Alex this month – as we review our monthly goals, check-in and make some time to enjoy an hour or so of socialising with the Armidale founder community. All founders welcome!

Join us for our August catch up for a coffee at Herdies. Enjoy a morning brew – on Alex this month – as we review our monthly goals, check-in and make some time to enjoy an hour or so of socialising with the Armidale founder community. All founders welcome!

Join us for our August meet-up for a coffee in the glasshouse at DEVA. Enjoy a morning brew – on Jess this month – as we review our monthly goals, check-in on our book club reads and make some time to enjoy an hour or so of socialising with the Tamworth founder community. All founders welcome!

Join us for our July catch up for a coffee at Herdies. Enjoy a morning brew – on Char and Alex this month – as we review our monthly goals, check-in and make some time to enjoy an hour or so of socialising with the Armidale founder community. All founders welcome!

Join us for our July meet-up for a coffee in the glasshouse at DEVA. Enjoy a morning brew – on Jess this month – as we review our monthly goals, check-in on our book club reads and make some time to enjoy an hour or so of socialising with the Tamworth founder community. All founders welcome!

Are you a UNE student who has been playing around with a business idea but don’t know how to get the ball rolling? Maybe you want to add a new product or service to your current business but aren’t sure if it’ll fly or flop?

Join us for a 2-hour deep dive into how to protect your creative time, sustain your energy, and quiet that imposter syndrome that loves to sneak in when you least expect it. Led by Anousha Victoire, an independent singer-songwriter, registered health professional, and master of juggling all the things - this session is for musicians and songwriters who want to stop running on adrenaline and start building a creative practice that lasts.

Join us for a 2-hour deep dive into how to protect your creative time, sustain your energy, and quiet that imposter syndrome that loves to sneak in when you least expect it. Led by Anousha Victoire, an independent singer-songwriter, registered health professional, and master of juggling all the things - this session is for musicians and songwriters who want to stop running on adrenaline and start building a creative practice that lasts.

Whether you're walking into an interview, stepping on stage, or seizing your one shot to pitch your business, this Masterclass will help you own the moment. You’ll walk away with a compelling self-pitch (and actual confidence to say it out loud) that feels clear, natural, and uniquely you.

Come along to our June founder meet-up for a coffee in the sunshine (we hope!) at Deva Cafe. Enjoy a casual catch-up, check-in on monthly goals, review our most recent Book Club read (Let My People Go Surfing: the Education of a Reluctant Businessman) and make some time to enjoy an hour or so of socialising with the Tamworth founder community. All founders welcome!

FarmLab are creating a non-traditional setting to bring together landowners, the agrifood supply chain and technology providers to generate meaningful conversation, connection and collaboration. Participants will be able to share and scheme whilst hiking, planting, sampling, eating and caffeinating.

Design research with impact. Learn a structured and repeatable methodology to integrate translation pathways into your project design.

Our regional community has always been innovating and building on new opportunities. At our core are "people with purpose" who have built their futures here with an eye for economic diversification, a profoundly unique environment, community needs and growing talent through Australia’s first regional University.