Launch YEP

21/12/2025

It's been a massive 2025 for us here at Launch Y(E)P! From throwing our biggest and best Tropical Innovation Festival ever to launching the brand new Tropic Tech & Innovation Network we've certainly kicked a few goals this year.

Before we log off for a well deserved break, we just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to you and everyone who has supported us on our journey this year. However you choose to celebrate this season, we hope that you manage to enjoy some down time and the company of loved ones.

We've got some big plans for 2026 and we can't wait to share them with you soon!

See you next year!

11/11/2025

🌿 Indigenous Business and Arts Expo 2025 🌿

Come and grab your presents for the end-of-year festivities 🎁 and take a stroll through over 65 exhibitors showcasing Indigenous business owners, artists, native foods, and programs that support and celebrate Indigenous entrepreneurship.
Now in our fourth year, the Expo will be buzzing with energy thanks to Bumma Bippera 987fm broadcasting live, plus entertainment, live demonstrations, and cultural performances throughout the day — including dancers, musicians, and more!

Our full program has been announced!

✨ This event is a fantastic opportunity for First Nations-led businesses to showcase their products and services, and to connect with corporate, government, and local buyers.

🗓 Date: 12th November 2025
📍 Location: The Pier, Cairns
🕛 Time: 12pm – 5pm

Big thanks to partners Queensland Government Innovation (Advance Queensland), Harbrow Mentoring Australia and Launch Y(E)P.

31/10/2025

STORY DRIVEN: Leveraging the Power of STORY for Entrepreneurs and Leaders

After lighting up the stage at the Tropical Innovation Festival, Joel McKerrow is back in Cairns for an exclusive deep-dive workshop with Launch YEP — and this time, we’re going all in on STORY.
This isn’t just about creative writing. It’s about unlocking the operating system of human behaviour — the stories we tell ourselves, our teams, and our customers.

🎯 In this immersive workshop, you’ll learn how to:
✨ Communicate your vision with clarity and connection
✨ Build stronger brands through authentic storytelling
✨ Use creativity to drive customer engagement and sales
✨ Harness narrative intelligence to transform your leadership

If you’re an entrepreneur, founder, or leader — every problem you face is a STORY problem.
It’s time to learn how to tell the right stories, in the right way, at the right time.

📅 Date: 5th November, 5:15pm
📍 Location: Tropic Tech & Innovation Network
🎟️ Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/story-driven-leveraging-the-power-of-story-for-entrepreneurs-and-leaders-with-joel-mckerrow?mptk=abb074ab01fccc376f58a6b2e4827ca255b30daf7ad9095c3ec6f0e4aa4bd060_074be95566a13adba8c42f7571c88b6b

Don’t miss your chance to learn from one of Australia’s most electrifying creative minds — and unlock the power of STORY to shape your business, brand, and leadership.

28/10/2025

🌟 Know a young, innovative go-getter making waves in the business world? Nominate them for the 2026 Young Entrepreneur Award!

Calling All Young Entrepreneurs!

🌟 Know a young, innovative go-getter making waves in the business world? Nominate them for the 2026 Young Entrepreneur Award!

Let’s shine a light on the incredible achievements of young minds shaping the future of our region. Submit your nominations today and help celebrate their entrepreneurial spirit.

👉 cassowarycoast.smartygrants.com.au

28/10/2025

Yesterday’s sold-out session with Kate Fabian from APPIT Consulting took a practical look at how everyday businesses can start using AI to work smarter - not harder.

We mapped out our own workflows and learned how to identify where AI tools can save time, reduce errors, and create more space for meaningful work.

This is a part of Tropic Tech & Innovation Network & Launch YEP workshop series

Monday 10 Nov - Beyond the Prompt: A look at the Next Generation of Business AI

Monday 24th Nov - There's an agent for that - Building AI Agents to automate your work

Monday 01 Dec - Save the Date - Full day Deep Dive into AI - program coming soon

Registrations - https://collections.humanitix.com/launch-yep

21/10/2025

😰 Overwhelmed by all the AI hype? Feel like you’re falling behind? You’re not alone—and it’s okay to feel that way.

But here’s the truth: You don’t have to be a tech genius to unlock AI’s power in your business. You just need someone to show you where the hidden opportunities really are.

Join us Monday, 27th October @ 12 PM for AI Basics for Business: Find Your Hidden Opportunities, with Kate Fabian — a trusted digital specialist who’s helped businesses cut through the noise and thrive.

Imagine walking away with:
💡 A simple framework to spot AI tools that actually work for your business
💡 Real examples that feel relatable and inspiring
💡 Clear, actionable next steps — no overwhelm, no confusion

This isn’t about jumping on the bandwagon — it’s about finding YOUR way to use AI to save time, grow smarter, and feel in control again.

If you’re a small business owner, startup founder, or solo operator who’s tired of the stress and ready for clarity — this is for YOU.

✨Secure your spot now: https://events.humanitix.com/ai-basics-for-business-find-your-hidden-opportunities?_gl=1*1rz39uz*_gcl_au*MjA5MTkyNDIwNy4xNzU5MjkyMDI1*_ga*ODEwNDA2OTEyLjE3NDIxOTU5NzI.*_ga_LHKW5FR9N6*czE3NjEwMjc3MjYkbzkxJGcxJHQxNzYxMDI4MTYwJGo2MCRsMCRoMA..&mptk=f4fe2f0a2b56d415726b00a961e69c3823799aac05594c030160ac8cda68dc58_b8b69097226765b88d9ddf027a2afb0e

13/10/2025

GET YOUR GEEK ON!

Theatre meets innovation at Bulmba-ja!
Join JUTE Theatre Company and Launch Y(E)P for an action-packed day where creativity and curiosity collide!

📅 Saturday 18 October | 11am – 5.15pm

📍 Bulmba-ja Arts Centre

➡ Program
11am Get Your Geek On
12pm Theatre Workshop
12pm The Problem Solvers workshop
1.30pm Build a Side Hustle workshop
3pm Get Your Geek On
4.00pm Theatre workshop

🎟️ Only $5 per session – spots are limited, so grab your tickets now!

Book now: https://events.humanitix.com/get-your-geek-on

➡ More details:

💡 See Get Your Geek On, a funny and inspiring play about Djirra, a 12-year-old science whizz inspired by inventor David Unaipon - the genius on our $50 note! Expect fizzing volcanoes, walking robots, and a race to create the world’s greatest invention!
Dive into hands-on workshops that spark imagination and confidence:

🎭 Theatre Workshop: Boost creativity and public speaking skills with JUTE Theatre Company.

🚀 The Problem Solvers: Identify real-world challenges and design solutions that make a difference, facilitated by Launch Y(E)P

💡 Build a Side Hustle: Turn your passions into real-world projects or mini businesses, facilitated by Launch Y(E)P

👩🏽‍🔬 Perfect for young people - primary to early high school - who love to imagine, invent, and perform.

Supported by Advance Queensland

08/10/2025

✨ What if you could bring your ideas to life — exactly how you imagined them — without needing design skills, fancy tools, or a creative team?

You can. And it starts here.

Join us on Monday, October 20 at 12PM for “Create with AI: Custom Visuals for Your Brand & Content”, a hands-on workshop led by Elle Russell, Co-Founder of NightCafe — the AI art platform used by over 30 million creators worldwide.

Whether you’re building a brand, growing a business, or trying to stand out online — your ideas deserve to look as powerful as they feel. Elle will show you how to make that happen.

🎨 No design background? No problem. This workshop is made for beginners — all you need is curiosity and a device (or just come and watch the live demo!).

Here’s what you’ll walk away with:

🎯 The confidence to create stunning visuals on your own
⚡ A fresh, faster approach to content creation
🎁 A free 30-day NightCafe PRO subscription
🔥 And a serious spark of creative freedom

If you’ve ever held back from sharing your vision because “you’re not a designer” — this is your moment.

🎟️ Tickets are limited — grab yours now: https://events.humanitix.com/create-with-ai?_gl=1*1n25cbm*_gcl_au*MjA5MTkyNDIwNy4xNzU5MjkyMDI1*_ga*ODEwNDA2OTEyLjE3NDIxOTU5NzI.*_ga_LHKW5FR9N6*czE3NTk5MDIzNjkkbzg3JGcxJHQxNzU5OTAyMzcxJGo1OCRsMCRoMA..&mptk=d7121f054f6bf09a03be577fc2726caa4f330fdc1bc919e84a5cd3d0832575ad_bec1a6ce903ce8ab73e252cf6ab85c6c

03/10/2025

🎤 Workshop Recap: Influencing Others: How to Get Meetings, Be Heard and Make Things Happen

Last week, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Anne Pleash from Mission Consulting Solutions to share her insights on how to advocate effectively – whether it's with politicians, departments, or decision-makers.

🔥 Key takeaways included:
• How to secure a meeting (and what to say!)
• Building relationships with no surprises
• The 6 Ps of prep
• What to do after the meeting to keep momentum

It was practical, honest, and empowering — especially for founders and community leaders wanting to influence change.

📚 Want to go deeper? Anne also recommended these powerful reads:

People Skills – Robert Bolton
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion – Robert Cialdini
How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie
Never Split the Difference – Chris Voss

Thank you, Anne, for your generosity and clarity.

01/10/2025

A huge thank you to Dan Formby from ADHesive for his great workshop "Making Momentum", helping us take our digital marketing to the next level.

A key takeaway for us was the mindset shift he championed: moving from just 'posting to positioning' and focusing on 'relevance overreach '.

His breakdown of using familiar marketing frameworks to avoid posting into the void and actually structure content to convert was incredibly practical. It was a fantastic session, and we really appreciate you sharing your insights with our community!

30/09/2025

Indigenous Business & The Arts Expo - Stallholders Now Open

Stallholder spots now open for the 2025 Indigenous Business & The Arts Expo!
Wed 12 Nov, 12–5pm at The Pier, Cairns.
Free for Indigenous businesses, artists, startups & funded support services to exhibit.

Info: [email protected]

30/09/2025

What are the possibilities if you could clone yourself in your business?

That’s the question we explored in Beyond the Prompt: A Look at the Next Generation of Business AI with Jamie Baker - CTO - Launch Y(E)P this week.

It wasn’t just theory though... it was demo after demo of practical tools that are already changing how we work. From creating presentations and podcasts to automating workflows and writing reports, Jamie showed us what’s possible when AI becomes your behind-the-scenes productivity partner.

💡 Here’s a quick list of the tools we explored:

🎙️ Eleven Labs – Voice AI

📚 NotebookLM – AI research assistant

📊 Gamma – AI-powered presentations

🎥 Google Vids – Smart video creation

⚙️ Zapier Agents – Workflow automation meets AI

These tools go far beyond chat - they’re built to help you think, create, and scale faster.