CDU Business students joined Darwin Innovation Hub for an off-site experiential learning session this week that saw them work with some of Darwin’s key innovators on ideas to solve common problems with business in Darwin.
The session, an initiative of Dr Jianhua (Jane) Zhang, Lecturer – International Business and Management at Charles Darwin University, and supported by Darwin Innovation Hub brought together business management students to hear from three local innovators on ideas that were “out of the box” and challenged the preconception of innovation as being about “tech.”
Students heard from Geoff Goodrich from Great Power Solutions about his experiences with introducing innovation in to industries such a remote machinery, oil and fuel supply, solar power and recycling. They also learned more about the broader sustainability ecosystem from Ada Hosein, Assistant Director, Remediation Policy – Ranger, Department of Industry, Science and Resources at the Australian Government.
Darwin Innovation Hub’s Entrepreneur in Residence also presented a key note on finding innovation in the everyday in his hospitality, retail and service businesses where he introduced the process to increasing margin when coffee costs blew out – and how he birthed the “Shnitty Benny” and raised the average customer spend by an extra $6.
The students then pitched their own ideas for innovation within existing common businesses in Darwin, including cafes, retail stores, remote tourism operators and more.
Ideas ranged from food waste solutions to recycling ideas and even better use of data to find patterns of waste in everyday operations.
Darwin Innovation Hub continues to collaborate on research and education with Charles Darwin University on many projects, including the 2026 Student Mentoring Program.
