KPMG collaborates with Advance to fast-track South Australian innovation

South Australian entrepreneurs will be given the opportunity to fast-track their business growth and take on the world, thanks to a new alliance between KPMG and not-for-profit global organisation Advance.

For the first time, KPMG and Advance will integrate their business networks, technical expertise and global experience to provide a solid platform for accelerated growth to local entrepreneurs.

Known as elevate61, the program will provide participants with intensive training and access to a global network of businesses and individuals – each with extensive practical insights and experience in corporate and investment readiness.

KPMG South Australia Chairman Con Tragakis said the unique program would target industries including agriculture, energy and natural resources, financial services, healthcare, infrastructure, telecommunications and media.

“In South Australia it’s well recognised that small business plays an important role in ensuring our economic prosperity– and we need to provide the best environment, and opportunity, for these businesses, and our entrepreneurs, to grow and thrive,” he said.

“We have so much talent in this state and we are thrilled to be able to help budding business people realise their potential and providing the tools, networks and opportunities to help them to succeed.

“KPMG’s specific role within the program will be to provide coaching and workshops to help high-potential companies navigate through the myriad of expansion challenges – such as corporate structuring, valuations, R&D, tax and accounting.

“What differentiates this program from others is its focus on helping post seed funded enterprise start-ups to build sustainable global businesses of the future.”

Advance is a community of more than one million ‘global Australians’ and two million alumni of Australian universities which are forging connections and drawing on each others’ expertise and networks to open doors, create opportunities and act as a brain resource for Australia.

Advance focuses on the exchange of knowledge, connections and ideas to build entrepreneurial Australian companies globally. By promoting and accelerating the success of Australian companies and Australia, 55 start ups and more than 100 entrepreneurs have already benefited from their innovation programs.

For KPMG Australia, elevate61 will deepen its connections with the entrepreneurial world, improve awareness of and access to the pipeline of disruptive technologies and provide unique mentoring opportunities for partners and senior staff.

“A good business can become a great business with the right connections and advice,” Advance CEO Serafina Maiorano said.

“elevate61 leverages the strengths of Advance and KPMG to help participants achieve rapid traction and growth in Australia and the US through access to global corporations, US-based networks of advisors and the investor community.”

Applications for elevate61 are now open. The program is set to commence in April.

Issued by Hughes Public Relations: Samantha Firth, 0408 715 585