October 21, 2015
Five minutes to claim the big prize in iAccelerate Pitch 2015
Female entrepreneurs are flying the flag for a new breed of innovators in the Illawarra.
The fourth annual iAccelerate Pitch this Thursday (22 October) is a grand final of innovation, where entrepreneurs get a chance to polish and pitch their business idea to a panel of experts.
Six startups have been selected for the Pitch event based on the strength of their business idea and growth potential.
Finalists will have five minutes to communicate their value to market as well as identify and explain their competitive advantage in front of a panel of experts and VIP audience.
The event provides both entrepreneurs and the business community with the chance to connect to the Illawarra’s rising stars as they seek investment and collaboration.
This year’s pitch includes a high proportion of female representation among the finalists as well as on the judging panel, in line with iAccelerate’s mandate to promote gender balance in the male-dominated startup sector.
Each finalist has had their pitch whipped into shape with formal training from a professional pitch trainer, ongoing feedback and ultimately from the panel of experts at the final.
Awards to be won on the night include: Panel Winner, Panel Runner Up, Audience Winner, Audience Runner Up and Most Improved Pitch.
iAccelerate CEO Dr Elizabeth Eastland said the Pitch Final was a true showcase of the best of iAccelerate to the business community.
“A critical part of transforming the regional economy is nurturing ideas and helping them grow to become employers and scalable companies,” she said. “Each year, the Pitch Final gives these startups a chance to show just how far they’ve come in the their journey.
“Programs like Pitch aims to creatively contribute to the economic regeneration and diversification of the Illawarra, encouraging global aspirations and inspiring the next generation of innovators.“
Past Pitch participants that have gone on to become successful startups include campus safety app developer CriticalArc, who are currently raising their second funding round with a valuation of more than $13 million and have undergone international expansion in the UK, Saudi Arabia and the USA.
Social Status, a social media monitoring platform, were the winners of iAccelerate Pitch 2014 and they are also capital raising in the US. Earlier this year they won Oxygen Ventures Big Pitch competition, which offers startups a chance at a share of $5 million in funding.
iAccelerate currently supports 30 companies, almost half of which have female founders or co-founders. Of those 30 companies, more than half are at a stage of maturity where they have progressed from idea to now be making sales.
The finalists for iAccelerate Pitch 2015 are:
Geointeractive: Geointeractive is developing rapid ways to map underground mines and hazardous environments in 3D using advances in digital cameras and computer vision technology.
Me3D: Me3D set out with the goal of designing the world’s best educational 3D printer, the Me2. Now they have launched a groundbreaking program, Seed3D, which helps Australian schools ride the wave of growth in 3D printing and put it in the hands of the next generation.
Nifty: Nifty is breathing new life into the recycling movement through a mobile marketplace that will provide a streamlined and efficient way to buy and sell used clothing online, modernising the thrift store concept and bringing it online. It also offers an affordable and easy avenue for local designers and businesses to reach customers.
Stretch and Glow: Created by the founders of Wollongong’s Younga Yoga Studio, Stretch & Glow involves boutique yoga courses and lifestyle support for women during the years when they are time poor as a result of juggling life’s responsibilities with the demands of being a mum.
Tweewind: Tweewind time-shifts your Twitter feed so you won't miss out on the action next time you watch a recording of a sporting event.
Zest Desk: The world’s first portable adjustable standing desk, ZestDesk turns any table into a standing desk in less than a minute. Developed by Dr Peter Moore and his son James. Their vision is to give everyone the opportunity to stand and work ergonomically no matter where their office is.
iAccelerate Pitch is an invitation-only event. People interested in iAccelerate programs are encouraged to visit iAccelerate.com.au.