He sold a stake in his business to Nine Entertainment for $35 million and now Alborz Fallah has become The University of Queensland’s Entrepreneur in Residence.
Mr Fallah, who spent just $35 starting his caradvice.com.au blog in 2006 while a student at UQ, will take up his new position with the UQ Idea Hub.
“I am really thrilled and excited about the potential of helping up-and-coming entrepreneurs through UQ Idea Hub,” Mr Fallah said.
“With my start-up experience and advice, I hope to see a few of these students turn their ideas into multi-million dollar businesses.”
Director of the UQ Idea Hub Nimrod Klayman said support from game-changers like Mr Fallah was important for inspiring and motivating budding entrepreneurs.
A Brisbane local, Mr Fallah immigrated to Australia from Iran when he was nine years old, attending Indooroopilly State High School and going on to graduate with a dual degree from UQ (Bachelor of Information Technology, Bachelor of Arts).
Throughout this time Mr Fallah started more than 17 businesses, from internet cafes, to a computer store, and an internet marketing company.
As UQ Idea Hub’s first Entrepreneur in Residence, Mr Fallah will be involved in the program’s startup training sessions and will provide mentorship to budding entrepreneurs from all disciplines across the University, as well as to UQ staff and alumni in the program.
He will be teaching key skills and strategies, and providing resources and connections required to drive an idea towards being a successful business.
“I’ve been on the startup rollercoaster since my childhood, running many startups, experiencing multiple failures and, eventually, starting a business that succeeded on a large scale,” Mr Fallah said
“Through my role with UQ Idea Hub, I hope to inspire those that dream of being an entrepreneur to take action, but also to guide those already on the journey to dodge all the avoidable mistakes that I have made along the way.
“I find that entrepreneurship is very much about having the right mindset: I hope to teach perseverance, determination and a bigger picture understanding of how a startup goes from being an idea to a thriving business.”
UQ Idea Hub has worked with student entrepreneurs for two years through a series of six-week pre-incubator programs and other extra-curricular activities.
The program offers workshops and brings together experienced mentors and a network of local and global innovators to help students and recent alumni grow their ideas into solutions that matter.
UQ Idea Hub also facilitates the flagship China Mobility Program, connecting students with some of Shanghai’s best technology startups for a unique overseas innovation and entrepreneurship experience.
Engage with UQ Idea Hub on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Media: Nimrod Klayman, Director, UQ Idea Hub, n.klayman@uq.edu.au, + 61 431 444 241; Genevieve Worrell, EAIT Media and Communications Coordinator, g.worrell@uq.edu.au, +61 408 432 213
