01763nas a2200265   4500008004100000022001400041245007200055210006900127260004200196300001000238490000600248520104500254653001401299653001101313653001501324653002101339653001501360653001501375653001501390653001301405653001301418653001301431100001701444856003601461       2016                        eng d  a1927-032100aDeveloping a Startup and Innovation Ecosystem in Regional Australia0 aDeveloping a Startup and Innovation Ecosystem in Regional Austra  aOttawabTalent First Networkc06/2016  a24-320 v63 aTechnology is enabling change at an ever increasing pace, not only in urban contexts, but also in regional centres, where the Internet in particular is enabling entrepreneurs to compete in the global marketplace despite the size and remoteness of their home cities or towns. In regional Australia, the challenges of high unemployment, fading traditional industries, a lack of economic diversity, and a "brain drain" of talent to urban centres highlight the need for novel economic development strategies. Innovation and entrepreneurship are highlighted as potential solutions, but both require knowledge and support to be successful. In this article, the author shares lessons learned as an entrepreneur and through the ongoing development of a self-sustaining startup and innovation ecosystem in the remote region of Cairns, Australia. The model described in this article is now being applied to other regions in Australia, where trained champions are driving the development of startup and innovation ecosystems adapted to regional needs.10aAustralia10aCairns10aecosystems10aentrepreneurship10aincubation10ainnovation10amentorship10aregional10astartups10atheSPACE1 aHaines, Troy  uhttp://timreview.ca/article/994