North West Business Development Centre Inc.

Global Achievements and Incubation Networks

Port Adelaide’s Todd Street Business Chambers incubator was recognised on the world stage winning two out of five global awards at the 2009 International Incubator Conference in Kansas City, USA. The National Business Incubator Association (USA) is recognized as the lead organistion advancing business incubation. Around 5000 business incubators operate world-wide.

Todd Street Business Chambers won the 2009 International Incubator of the Year Award (non technology category), while one of the incubator’s graduates, Alfresco Pergolas and Design, was awarded the 2009 Outstanding Incubator Graduate of the Year Award.

A panel of more than 20 NBIA judges awarded the highest international business incubation award to the South Australian incubator based on its contribution to economic wealth and creation of employment in its region, its own financially sustainable model of operation and the innovative programs on offer to its clients.

Todd Street Business Chambers’ parent organisation, North West Business Development Centre General Manager, Lyn Hay, said the international recognition for its services was the biggest coup possible for the Port Adelaide based incubator. “Todd Street Business Chambers assists businesses on the cusp of growth by providing flexible work space, on site mentoring and tailored business support. To be recognised for the quality of our services on a global scale is just fantastic,” Ms Hay said.

“The variety and calibre of the award entries is a testament to the importance business incubation services have in the economic development of local communities across the world. At a local level most Todd St clients have moved to the incubator frm a cluttered and sometimes isolating home office. Others have decided to create a neich business within an industry that they have been employed in for some years. Small businesses have come to Todd Street Business Chambers as sole traders and partnerships and graduated from our business development program, growing into companies with substantial revenues.

“During its 10-year history, Todd Street Business Chambers has assisted 68 successful businesses that have combined annual revenues of more than $150 million, and have created 167 new full-time jobs, making a major contribution to the economic rejuvenation of the area. “Since 2006, eight graduates alone have constructed, purchased, refurbished and tenanted 21 local properties

The Todd Street property is owned by the City of Port Adelaide and Enfield and was initially refurbished with support from the Federal Government’s AusIndustry.

Alfresco Pergolas and Design

Todd Street also congratulates Mr Alan Thorpe of Alfresco Pergolas and Design for his firm’s international win as well as the company’s recent construction of 20 business units in Port Adelaide. “Alfresco is a great success story. The company’s achievements are impressive examples of the benefits of business incubation.”

The Outstanding International Incubator Graduate of the Year Award was judged against criteria such as the type of assistance received from the incubator, impact of services upon the development of the business, and the firm’s accomplishments during and after the incubation program.