WA innovators get the limelight
Growing up, WA entrepreneur Brad Hill was fascinated with innovation.
Author | Carmelle Wilkinson
Whether it was working on old cars on his family’s farm in Albany or taking apart computers with his older brothers – making things better and finding better ways of working fuelled his passion and curiosity.
Now years later, the Curtin Master of Business Administration graduate is harnessing that energy and enthusiasm into helping fellow business owners and entrepreneurs ignite their dreams and discover their full potential.
His latest project, Innovation Nation on Channel 9, showcases some of WA’s most brilliant inventions and discoveries.
Presented by Brad and TV personality Christina Morrissy, the program offers a platform where aspiring WA entrepreneurs can capture the attention of investors and consumers.
Innovation Nation promo video.
With the first episode expected to launch on April 7, Brad said he was excited to show the rest of the country what incredible talent we have here in WA.
“There are some incredible business ideas and start-ups in WA – and many of these entrepreneurs are coming out of Curtin and our major universities,’’ he said.
“They have awesome ideas, and their business models have the potential to really take off and make a difference – but for some reason there just aren’t enough investors to back these inventions – and that’s what we hope to change.
“WA is a wealthy state and while we have investors, they are very strongly aligned with our mining sector.
“We hope to showcase these amazing innovations and raise the awareness tide in WA.”
As a kid, Brad remembers watching Beyond 2000 in his living room, and being mesmerised by the new discoveries and technologies.
Family man: Brad’s children have taken a strong interest in innovation just like their Dad.
“From very young I’ve been fascinated by innovation and would get really excited in class when we spoke about new technologies and discoveries. I especially loved hearing people’s stories,’’ he said.
When it came to figuring out what he wanted to do when he left school, Brad knew this much – he didn’t want to be an employee.
“I’m a terrible employee,’’ he laughed.
“I don’t like to be told what to do. I like to take charge and get things done.
“I did a paper delivery round when I was younger and worked at a fish and chip shop in Scarborough – but that didn’t last long.
“I also got a job at Hungry Jacks – which was a great party environment for a teen, but I never got much work done. Needless to say, I lasted a month before I was fired.”
Brad said it wasn’t until later in his life that he discovered an interest in leadership, which was somewhat strange given he was the youngest of five brothers.
“My experience at Curtin was brilliant,’’ he said.
“The MBA expanded my knowledge base significantly; it pushed me to levels I didn’t know I had and looking back it really played a pivotal role in the direction of my life. “
Brad said it also gave him confidence to reach for opportunities that he would otherwise consider out of his league and placed him in business circles with other successful WA alumni, who were a tremendous inspiration.
Following graduation from Curtin, Brad turned his attention to commercialisation of geothermal drilling, battery technology research and innovation in the craft beer industry.
As the founder and director of Limestone Coast Brewing, Brad established a winning process that is dramatically transforming the craft brewing industry.
Brad’s brewery innovation on Destination WA.
“Building craft breweries at 1/4 of the capital costs and in an incredibly space effective way, we deliver high volumes of quality craft beer that ferments on site and is served straight from the bright beer tanks,’’ he said.
Brad said it was while filming a segment on his brewery invention for Channel 9’s Destination WA program that the idea for Innovation Nation was born.
“Host Trevor Cochrane was really interested to see what we were doing in our small part of the world, and I thought to myself how many other great inventions are out there that people don’t know about?’’ he said.
“It’s not in our Australian culture to think highly of ourselves. So even though we knew what we were doing was exciting, I wasn’t comfortable talking ourselves up.
“I then started to think about other businesses and entrepreneurs and how many of those weren’t bragging about their inventions or ideas. So, I figured why not do it for them?”
After sharing his idea, Trevor returned two days later with good news.
“He just said, great news Brad. We have a TV show. I also need someone with stupid enthusiasm to pull this off, and as this is clearly your passion – we’d like you to host it,’’ Brad said.
“Then he mentioned Christina Morrissy as co-host, and I was sold. I know her family well, having spent many years playing hockey with her brothers.
Brad and Chrissy (Innovation Nation hosts).
“That was about four months ago. And since then, things have moved very fast.
“I’m still learning how to talk to camera, not sweat profusely in a long-sleeved shirt and not annoy Christina too much when we’re on set.”
Brad said sharing people’s stories and helping likeminded Australian innovators make their mark on the world stage was his dream.
“I have lived the life of an entrepreneur. A terrible employee who is always looking for a better way and an inquisitive mind and a creator of change who loves to help wherever possible,’’ he said.
“With a track record of innovation, entrepreneurialism, strategic decision making, capital raising and investing, my greatest gift is story telling.
“I’m excited to put the spotlight on remarkable WA innovations so they can receive the funding, support and recognition they deserve,’’ he said.
“It is my hope that the innovations we share in the show will shape a better tomorrow for all.”
With a pipeline of support for entrepreneurial individuals just like Brad, there is a Curtin program to suit you. For more information please visit Entrepreneurship at Curtin here.
Author | Carmelle Wilkinson
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