Look back · 19-21 June 2026 · CityHive, Geraldton Our first Traction weekend. A room full of locals with ideas, Oliver Bazzani facilitating, and local founders and business leaders giving their time as mentors. Here's how it went. What participants told us 9.7/10 Average recommendation score 100% Made progress on what they came to work on 100% Said the mentoring helped them think more clearly Six people rated it 10 out of 10 and two rated it 9. The big themes were momentum, confidence, learning and new connections. People kept coming back to how generous and approachable the mentors were. The June mentors Oliver brought the startup method. These mentors brought local know-how. That mix is what people described as practical, supportive and energising. Oliver Bazzani Facilitator Led the weekend and took everyone through the Traction method, step by step. James Macpherson Technology founder Led the growth of Agility into a recognised enterprise software company, now part of the Aptean ecosystem. Michael May General Manager, Supply Chain Operations, Geraldton Fishermen's Co-operative A practical, commercial eye on value propositions and strategies that work in the real world. Michael Muller Creative Director, Mullermind Knows what it costs to build something real, and how to make that story land. David Boyes Strategy Director, Mullermind Walked away from accounting to follow a camera and brought his business brain with him. Lachlan Gardiner Sales Manager, Integrated ICT Commercial leader with a strong interest in technology, AI and where business is heading. Carmen Watts General Manager, Mullermind Carmen's focus: make the brand as powerful as the stories it tells. Say the right thing, to the right people, at the right time. Her experience across marketing, brand and media means she'll help you spot the difference between work that looks good and work that actually works. The weekend in photos In their words What we heard for next time Participants asked for check-ins after the weekend and ways to get back together. That's now built in: six months of support after every Immersion, including check-ins and an alumni gathering. Next up Traction | Immersion, 28-29 November 2026 Have an idea you keep coming back to? Give it a weekend. Traction is supported by the WA Government through the Department of Energy, Economic Diversification (DEED) Innovation Pathways Programme.Traction Build Weekend, June 2026
Thanks to the people who gave their weekend.
"Access to amazing mentors that distilled and refined my broad ideas into an actionable business plan."
"The generosity of mentors and CityHive team sharing their knowledge and industry insights."
"The level of expertise and support provided was phenomenal."
"I'd come to a standstill and the workshop launched me onto a steep development trajectory."
"The program connects you to other innovators in the local community - very important for innovators who are usually working in isolation."
"Love a gathering of minds all thinking in different directions and the same direction all at once."
More people, and more follow-up.
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