Have you ever dreamed of starting your very own business?
Australia is filled with exciting opportunities for budding entrepreneurs! Read on to find out about Canberra – Australia’s innovation hub – and the inspirational journey of one student entrepreneur.
The big move to Australia
Insider Guides spoke to Ms Khanak Lashkari, who is originally from Jaipur in India. She moved to Canberra to study an undergraduate degree in Psychological Science, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation at the University of Canberra (UC).
Before Khanak, no one in her family had studied abroad, so she really wanted to take that leap. And Canberra turned out to be the perfect choice!
“Canberra really stood out. It’s safe, student-friendly and has a strong reputation for being an innovation hub. Plus, the city has such a welcoming, multicultural feel, which makes it easy to connect with people both personally and professionally.”
How can you gain entrepreneurial experience?
You might be wondering how you can gain relevant experience yourself. Informal and work experience are great ways to discover what kind of work and opportunities are out there for budding entrepreneurs.
Khanak’s entrepreneurial journey began all the way back in India. While she was still in high school, she held various leadership roles in sports and other extracurricular activities. She also led two youth initiatives around diversity and community impact. Her final years of school were online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which opened up her studies and gave her the opportunity to work remotely with startups in India and the US.
Alongside her formal studies at UC, Khanak is working hard to develop her entrepreneurship and innovation skillset. She’s already been involved with a range of early-stage projects, focusing on business operations, marketing and strategy in the fields of healthtech, edtech, fintech and more. Currently, she’s working with Innovation Central Canberra (ICC), a collaboration between UC and CISCO, as a Project Coordinator. She’s also working with Aurabox, a Canberra-based medical imaging startup, as a Marketing Coordinator.
“Since moving to Canberra, I’ve been involved in some exciting projects,” says Khanak.
One of these is a feasibility study to establish Australia’s first private 5G lab, which she is conducting with Professor Frank den Hartog (CISCO Research Chair, ICC). Another involved market research and initial go-to-market planning for a digital health product.
“Each of these has given me the chance to apply what I’m learning in real-world settings, while building my skills in research, strategy and storytelling,” she explains.
With such diverse roles and projects, Khanak has been able to build her skillset and knowledge base to prepare for employment after she finishes her degree.
“I’m graduating soon and excited to explore new opportunities where I can put all the skills I’ve built into action,” she says.
Why is Canberra such a great place for entrepreneurs?
When asked why Canberra is such an inspiring place for entrepreneurs, Khanak explained that:
“Canberra is a bit special because it blends government, industry and universities in one ecosystem”.
There are many opportunities to test ideas and collaborate, whether through Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN), InnovationACT, or university initiatives like ICC.
“For me, ICC has been a huge part of my journey at UC. It’s given me access to mentors, workshops, and industry projects that have really shaped how I think as an entrepreneur,” she says.
Khanak also loves the scale of the city. She says, “it’s big enough to have real opportunities, but small enough that you can actually reach the right people without too many barriers.”
Which organisations should you get involved with?
In terms of the best places to work as an entrepreneur in Canberra, Khanak says that CBRIN is definitely the central hub of it all. She explains that CBRIN’s First Wednesday Connect is one of the best places to meet people, whether you’re a student or a founder. She also really loves the Female Founders program.
“It’s such a supportive space for women-led businesses,” she says.
ICC also hosts great events with CISCO and other industry partners, which mix learning and networking really effectively.
How can you follow in Khanak’s successful footsteps?
Khanak had some great advice for students eager to start their own entrepreneurial journeys. She emphasises the importance of putting yourself out there.
“I’d say just get started—even if your idea isn’t perfect, you’ll learn so much by giving it a go”, she says.
She recommends making the most of everything Canberra has to offer: incubators, student programs and networking events.
Finally, she says:
“Don’t be shy about asking for help. People here are genuinely willing to support you. Most importantly, enjoy the ride. Every step, even the setbacks, will give you lessons you can carry into your studies, work or life.”
No doubt Khanak will lead an incredibly successful entrepreneurial career – and so can you!
For more information about living, working and studying in Canberra, visit www.canberra.com.au
