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Health and wellbeing are growing tenets in sustaining an active and resilient start-up, particularly in an industry that is constantly changing.

The Sydney Genesis program is pleased to welcome the as key sponsors to the program for 2023-2024, a partnership underpinning the ongoing commitment to the spirit of sustainable entrepreneurship and fostering innovative achievements.

鈥淕enesis serves the University鈥檚 students and alumni as the conduit between its entrepreneur community, product development, and the path to market and to customers,鈥� says Matthew Bright, co-head of the Genesis program and its Entrepreneur-in-Residence.

Wellness Access Institute (WAI) founders, Greg Macpherson and Warren Liu, along with The Access Group founder, Livia Wang, have a shared history with the University of Sydney and were drawn to the idea of being able to showcase the role of wellness within business and support business talent.

鈥淭he Wellness Access Institute is a forward-thinking wellness innovation incubator that accelerates science to society,鈥� explains Elle McCreary, Director of Development at the Wellness Access Institute. 鈥淭he Institute was the natural choice to partner with Sydney University Business School's Genesis program, due to a shared vision of supporting innovation and fostering achievement.鈥�

Wellness in innovation

Sustainable innovation, particularly amidst burnout risks in the entrepreneurial community, has emerged to be one of the key factors in cultivating a supportive environment.

鈥淲hen we started workshopping a potential collaboration together, we started at the core with founder wellness. Start-ups are demanding and many of our participants juggle young families and full-time work responsibilities during the program, for a chance at start-up success,鈥� says Matt.

鈥淭here is a mantra in business circles that 'health is wealth' and it highlights that productivity and resilience is closely linked to wellbeing,鈥� says Elle. 鈥淗igh level intellectual performance and focus take their toll, and ensuring that you're obtaining good levels of nutrition, a healthy diet and some form of regular exercise can make a big difference.鈥�

鈥淏eyond Elle鈥檚 role on the advisory board of the Discipline of Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, having Elle back on deck as a mentor allows founders to benefit from her own operating expertise and facilitates Wellness Access Institute supporting founder journeys for the duration of the program.鈥�

Partnership in action

Genesis prepares for its third goal night, prior to its pitch finale in late October, Matt explains wellness underpins not just founders, but their ventures and the social impact which they make.

鈥淭hematically that includes the obvious categories of health and climate tech 鈥� but ultimately wellness also is critical to applications of generative AI and consumer products.鈥�

As one of the guest mentors for the program, the WAI team have been impressed by the cohorts this year so far.

鈥淚鈥檝e been so encouraged by the breadth and diversity of start-ups in the Genesis Program, with ideas covering generative AI and healthcare to underwater drones and 3D printing from waste,鈥� shares Elle.

鈥淭he goal nights provide a forum to learn about the challenges founders face, to help mentor and guide them but also to foster discussions about balance and wellbeing,鈥� she says. 鈥淪elf-care is important at any age and stage of life and particularly throughout the journey of a founder.鈥�

鈥淛udges of the Wellness Reimagined Award will factor wellness into their decision-making process this cohort,鈥� says Matt. 鈥淲e look forward to again showcasing our entrepreneurial community and ultimately in selecting a winner with a company that fits the broader business school鈥檚 new mantra of Innovative, Responsible, Sustainable.鈥�

Explore the Sydney Genesis program for start-up funding opportunities. Visit .