Smart Startup Accelerator Program

Skyrocket your Startup from Zero to Hero even if you’ve never run a business in your life

Apply For Your Spot Now

Startup Accelerator and Incubator Program

Skyrocket your Startup from Zero to Hero even if you’ve never run a business in your life

RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY

Startup Accelerator and Incubator Program

Skyrocket your Startup from Zero to Hero even if you’ve never run a business in your life

RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY

A Revolution In Entrepreneurship Is

Underway

Got big plans for your business?

lnnovest offers a practical and engaging program to help build your business fast. Our program is a multi-faceted program for early stage businesses that are requiring support while they validate their business idea so that they can progress to the next stage in their development. No prior business experience assumed.

What is the Accelerator program?

The lnnovest Accelerator offers a fully interactive and flexible 3-month framework to help entrepreneurs plan and start building every aspect of their business, from the revenue model to cost-effective lead generation strategy through to cashflow and creative fast-growth mechanisms especially formulated for the Startup on a budget.

In most cases we actually ask Startups to stop any current advertising spend, regroup and recommend more effective organic growth methods before re-commencing the advertising. In many cases, paid advertising is not even required at all to achieve reasonable growth levels in the first 6-12 months, even for industries that quite often typically rely on paid ads.

During the Accelerator program we work with you one-on-one to set up customised growth strategies to start achieving the recurring revenue that your Startup needs to successfully get off the ground while keeping overheads and expenses exceptionally low.

In short, Bootstrapping is what we do best.

A Revolution In Entrepreneurship Is Underway

Got big plans for your business?

What are Accelerator and Incubator Programs?

In short, Bootstrapping is what we do best.

What's included in the

Accelerator Program

3-months of highly personalised, Startup-specific guidance and take-you-by-the-hand Support in an online group environment.

Initial One-on-One Strategy Meeting

We start the Accelerator by as much time as needed to understand your business, your objectives, your industry trends and your individual strengths and weaknesses. Once the parameters are established, we make recommendations on how to move forward strategically so your startup has the highest chance of success, at the lowest cost.

Together we decide the path that needs to be taken, niche to focus on, revenue model, organic lead generation method, strategy for cost-effective growth and first few steps that needs to be taken.

Expect the outcomes to be practical, actionable and highly specific to you and your business.

Lifetime Access to Online Startup Course

Our online training modules are highly focused on this initial phase you are experiencing. We give specific, simple to understand and simple to apply guidance on how to achieve the consistent revenue stage with concepts that we have developed over our cumulative 60+ years of business experience with little or no budget.

From our intimate knowledge of the dynamics of business we can assure you that the generic business advice that can often work well for an established business, can spell disaster for a Startup, so we only give you the guidance that is applicable to you in the current phase of your growth.

Our online content covers the 4 essential components of a successful, scalable business which MUST be in place for startup to develop into a ‘real’ sustainable business.

You can progress through this online content at your own pace, applying the action steps within each module as you move through it and use the weekly Q&A sessions to help you clarify and streamline your process as you go.

Weekly Q&A Sessions

These sessions are the real gold in this program. They are your opportunity to ask us anything regarding the process as you move along your journey of applying your learnings and the plan we have devised together. Get the answers to your burning questions from the years of experience that we have to offer. The sessions are not compulsory for all current members as we only recommend you come along if you have questions to ask, however we have noticed a massive difference in results for those who do regularly show up, in some cases to every session, and those who rarely show up. You can update us on your status, ask our suggestions on where to go from there, ask for feedback on your pitch, your website layout or copy, your Linkedin/Facebook profile or page, your latest lead gen challenges, your cashflow dilemma, etc. There’s also often something to be learned from other people’s experiences and questions too. So you’re welcome to come along to as many of those sessions as you’d like.

Action Items

The initial one-on-one session and the Q&A sessions will give you very specific action items that will get you to point B. Each Module in the online training has action items at the end of it that you could follow to work on that aspect of your business. We don’t waste much time on theory that cannot be actioned or that does not have real-business application to your business. If you want results, then you need to take the actions that will deliver those results. We help you establish the right actions to take and provide you with the support system to help you get through them.

Learn from Entrepreneurs

The program runs over 13 weekly sessions, i.e. 3 months. This time period only really outlines the length of time you have access to our advice through the Q&A sessions as well as the odd case where you need some one-on-one help that can’t be covered by the Q&A sessions. You will continue to have access to the online modules forever including any new modules that are added to the course in future.

Through the training and weekly feedback sessions led by us, personalised strategy sessions with us and group meetings with fellow Startups, the participants in the program often make several years of progress in just 3 months.

What would a 12 or 24 month saving in time (and cost) do for your startup?

Considering most Startup founders work anywhere from 50-100 hours per week building their Startup, the saving would add up to THOUSANDS of wasted hours of hard work. Not to mention sleepless nights, cashflow struggles and the frustration, stress and overwhelm of not knowing if the business will actually survive or if you will end up running out of cash and motivation first.

The journey is tough. We can attest to that. We’ve been through all the highs and lows.

Especially the lows.

The exhaustion of working 7 days a week tirelessly without relief in sight.

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The Founders

Why Innovest Delivers Results?

Rick Chisholm

Tala Chisholm

We are Rick and Tala Chisholm, separate people, separate skill sets. We have founded and run over 30 small to medium businesses over the last 35 years. Between the two of us, the direct sales revenue has well exceeded $300 million.

Our experience spans across many differ industries including Education, Retail, Wholesale, Mentoring, Importing, Manufacturing, Installations, Hospitality, Franchising, Rental and e-commerce. If there was anyone that has tried and tested small business, it is us two!

We’ve been through the process of growing businesses from zero to $20mil over our entrepreneurial career in record time, If there’s anyone out there who understands how to invent and re-invent your business, it would be us.

We also have a large group of mentors with a great deal of experience in multiple specialties and industries to ensure you get sufficiently well-rounded feedback.

Here are a few of the startups we have helped get off the ground:

What's included in the

Accelerator Program

After completing the initial 2-day Business Ownership Practitioner Certification course (included in the cost), you are given access to the 13-week Startup Accelerator program .

Initial One-on-One Strategy Meeting

Together we decide the path that needs to be taken, niche to focus on, revenue model, organic lead generation method, strategy for cost-effective growth and first few steps that needs to be taken.

Expect the outcomes to be practical, actionable and highly specific to you and your business.

Lifetime Access to Online Startup Course

Our online content covers the 4 essential components of a successful, scalable business which MUST be in place for startup to develop into a ‘real’ sustainable business.

Weekly Q&A Sessions

Action Items

Learn from Entrepreneurs

Innovest Smart Startup Accelerator

Curriculum

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION AND THE BIG PICTURE

First Things First
The Big Picture

SECTION 2: SALES, CONVERSION AND LEAD GEN

Audience and Offer
Sales and Conversion
Lead Generation B2B
Lead Generation B2C
Organic Lead Gen tools
Sales Conversation Scenarios and examples

SECTION 3: OPTIMISING THE PRODUCT/SERVICE DELIVERY MARGINS & SCALABILITY

Optimise Service Delivery Cost
Outsourcing
Maximise Margin and Scalability

SECTION 4: OPTIMIZING OVERHEADS

Must-dos and definite no-no’s for optimizing Overheads

SECTION 5: CASHFLOW

Cashflow planning the easy way
Collecting receivables fast without jeopardising your customer relationships

SECTION 6: BONUS MODULES

New modules being added to this section shortly

CASE STUDY

Michel Nicholson

AUTOMATION SQUARED

An INNOVEST SME Start-up Accelerator Graduate

To help transform Michel’s start-up into reality, Michel applied for and was successful to enter the INNOVEST Accelerator Sweat Equity Program, which he considered “the first real step towards getting my new business to where I want it without shelling out a fortune”.

I can proudly say that whilst my business started prior to my involvement with Innovest my business really only became viable during the first 3 months of mentorship and implementation of the processes, methodologies and guidance of the Innovest Mentors. I had the basic ideas of how to run a business so I thought but when it came down to it I didn’t have a clue

During his time in Innovest’s extended Accelerator Program, Michel got his biggest client ever and “I got paid 50% in advance,

in fact a job so daunting that I needed advice on new areas of business I hadn’t even thought of like managing the project, preventing scope creep, contracting additional experts, t’s and c’s, etc. After that job and implementing the marketing strategies I learnt, my business got so busy I couldn’t handle the number of enquiries, quotations and execution.”

“To sum up my time during Accelerate, the program helped us in five ways: to re-shape the first version of the product offering; to frame our actual value and understand our main customer segment; to learn how to sell the solutions to the market place; how to talk to larger prospects, sell and close; and to plan the next 12 months of growth to ensure we don’t scale prematurely.

“I can proudly say that my ‘real business’ started at Innovest Accelerate … it was the place where I took my idea of a business and turned it into a valid and commercial enterprise.”

The start-up experience gives the participants a precious skillset that is transferable across different industries;

Apply For Your Spot Now

Hear what Rick had to say about the Startup struggle on Sky News recently:

Also frequently featured in several major Startup conferences, events and publications including:

Have a listen to these awesome people

“I am benefiting from the advice I have received from Tala, as it guided me through initially confusing and intimidating first steps – I’ve never had my own business prior to engaging Tala. While I am still learning a lot, I am now stepping on firm stepping stones, instead of free-falling!”

“Tala has been instrumental in the direction and development of our company. Her extensive industry knowledge has brought an understanding that would have previously taken us years.”

“My business was complex, and Tala helped me break it down into clusters as she calls them. I recommend Tala to any startup owner who wants to be in business and wants to save on unnecessary expenses like Advertising too early before knowing their target audiences. Thank you and I will continue using you to further improve my business.”

“Tala Chisholm is a highly-skilled, experienced, and seasoned entrepreneur who has owned many successful businesses and over the years has had a wealth of experience in dealing with various business problems, and now is passionate about helping SMEs to be successful. She is a great communicator and teaches based on proven strategies that work in real life (not the textbook teacher)”

Before You Book Yourself In

The Startup businesses accepted into the program are usually early stage, often they will not have any customers. Innovest Smart Startup Accelerator is the first step in your business development. We don’t take equity (or a financial share) of your business unless there has been a prior arrangement, which is not often.

Innovest does NOT provide funding ‘directly’, but, we do offer finance to help assist you through our extraordinarily low cost programme split up over low affordable monthly payments.

Beware

Not All Business Advice Is Created Equal

Never Take Business Advice From...

Academics

who haven’t spent a day in business themselves

Business coaches

whose only experience has been in sucking people in but only ever operated their own coaching business. Be especially careful of the LIFE COACHES.

Business trainers

whose businesses never exceeded a fraction of even your business!

Ex-Multinational advisors

or coaches, who have never run a small business before and don’t realise how it’s a different animal to corporate.

Motivational speakers

who are great at making you laugh, cry and discover your inner purpose (supposedly, even if for only a moment), but really can’t tell you what you can do with all that BS to make $ in the real world!

Lawyers

We all need them but their job is to protect you from every risk. And what is the first thing you need to get mastered to start your own business? Risk-taking! Not saying you need to discard their advice, but really, there’s a balance.

Accountants

Sure, they’re the closest to your business and know the ins and outs but they’re always looking at the past. Secondly, what has been their experience in growing businesses outside of their accounting firm?

Regardless, if you DO decide to listen to someone for advice, just make sure they have FAILED and came back from that,

more than once, (so you don’t make the same blunders they did), AND, make sure they are at least 5 times more successful than you.

“Rick and Tala genuinely understand the challenges of business for SME owners. Thanks to their coaching and advice, I was able to get a handle on cash flow and develop an improved business planning process, helping create a great foundation for growth.”

” Tala’s commitment and dedication is second to none.Extremely business savvy and a keen eye for detail.Tala helped my business gain crucial online presence and brand recognition. Highly recommended.”

” I’ve been working with Tala for around 18 months and have really benefited from her ability to cut through clutter and focus on measuring data in an objective way. Tala is my go-to person to help simplify issues and gain momentum in making things happen. “

HOW TO APPLY

The application process is in two stages:

Written Application
Pitch to a Selection Panel

Please ensure you submit your application before the intake deadline, as spaces are very limited

Program StartApplication Deadline

February:...21st of January
June:...21st of May
September:...21st of August

All applications need be submitted below

Successful applicants will be required to make themselves available for interview subsequent to the application being received and accepted. You will be notified with further information regarding the interview process after the application period has closed.

Successful December applicant interviews are scheduled within the period between December and January outside of the public holiday period.

MEET WITH US

02 8007 2907

admin@innovestsme.com.au

31/192A Kingsgrove Rd, Kingsgrove, NSW 2208