Skip to main navigation Skip to main content

About SSE

About Us

SSE is Australia’s first, and only, Government initiated School of Entrepreneurship. It was established to enhance and embed growth mindsets, entrepreneurial skills, and innovative thinking, across diverse communities - empowering positive global impact both now and in the future.

SSE’s impressive global networks and community impact is espoused by a unique foundation and structure; a not-for-profit organisation, with a powerful association of founding member institutions comprising all 11 NSW Universities and TAFE NSW.

Embedded across the intersection of education, industry, government, and the wider community, SSE is uniquely positioned to forge collaborative partnerships that empower positive impact at both an individual, and societal level.

SSE participants span a broad range of industries and interests. We design and deliver innovative learning programs suited to our partners’ needs, ensuring an embedded focus on skills and capabilities to enhance adaptability, employability, and economic growth.

Through experiential learning and development, our participants emerge ready to adapt and succeed in an ever-changing society, confident to impress impact on the world.

Zoe Randall Large

Without SSE, I would still be sitting at my desk trying to figure out what I want to do.

Zoe Randall TAFE NSW
SSE alum

Our Story

In 2016, the NSW Government catalysed Sydney School of Entrepreneurship with cornerstone investment to build an unprecedented collaboration between all 11 NSW universities and TAFE NSW.

The impetus came from a 2015 Commonwealth Chief Economist research paper that showed startups created 1.44 million jobs across Australia between 2006 and 2011.

SSE is a key plank of the networked innovation ecosystem the NSW Government is building under its strategy to embrace innovation and drive jobs growth - supporting a culture of startups and entrepreneurship in Australia.

The NSW Government looked to the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship, a trailblazing collaboration between five academic members in one city, and set out to amplify this model in NSW.

In late 2016, Nick Kaye, an Australian who led the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship for 10 years, became founding CEO. He built a small team to prepare SSE to begin operating.

A central campus in Ultimo was fitted out and SSE Champions were appointed to represent each of the 12 member institutions. The SSE Board of Directors was appointed and an Academic Committee formed to oversee operations, education and training.

SSE opened its doors on 16 August 2017.  The launch was attended by all 12 members, the first class of student entrepreneurs, and an impressive network of partners.

In its first year of operations, SSE welcomed 4,000 participants including academic faculty, student entrepreneurs, startups, industry partners, government representatives and the wider community. SSE hosted more than 100 activities at its Ultimo campus and at member campuses across NSW.

Guests at the official opening of the SSE Ultimo headquarters and campus on 16 August 2017.

SSE Governing Structure

 

 

Academic Members

SSE is an independent, NFP, partnership between 12 tertiary institutions-all 11 NSW-based universities and TAFE NSW.

Board

7 Directors guiding the establishment and operations.

Academic Committee

The conduit between SSE and Academic Members to formalise academic offerings, and oversee quality control and administration. 

Audit Finance and Risk Committee

Renumeration and Nominations Committee

Champions

Highly motivated and engaged network across academic Members that shapes content that feeds into SSE programming.

Advisory Board

Bringing support, influence and input from thought leaders in the broader entrepreneurial community.

 

For the full bios of SSE Board Members, SSE staff, and SSE’s other governing committees, visit our community.