Pitch-a-thon event showcases Gladstone’s emerging entrepreneurs
Gladstone’s first Pitch-A-Thon, a ‘Shark Tank’-inspired event, was held this month to showcase the prototypes and ideas of Startup Gladstone’s first Innov8or and Youth Innov8or program participants.
An untethered alternative to a CPAP machine for sleep apnoea, an Indigenous tourism app, a disability employment app and a tailored fishing rod to measure a catch were just four of the Innov8or ideas presented to the panel of industry judges from Bank of Queensland Gladstone, Angel Loop and Startup Gladstone.
More than 35 family and friends joined the seven Innov8or and four Youth Innov8or participants as they gave a practice pitch of their ideas with the view of taking on feedback to refine their innovation before progressing to attracting future investment.
The event signalled the successful conclusion of Startup Gladstone’s first Innov8or program—a 24-week training, mentoring and development program to accelerate good innovations from concept to commercialisation.
Funded by Here for Gladstone—a joint community contribution of Rio Tinto Yarwun, Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL) and Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL)—Innov8ors saw participants mentored by national leaders in research and development.
The offshoot pilot Youth Innov8or program saw nine teams from Gladstone State High School build apps to demonstrate a tech solution to challenges set down by Oracle, Gladstone Area Water Board and nbn.
Held on 21 April 2021 at the Oaks Gladstone Grand Hotel, the Pitch-A-Thon was the start of greater things to come in the entrepreneurial and innovation landscape, according to Startup Gladstone’s Luis Arroyo.
“It has given us the opportunity to bring various sectors together to support the development of information entrepreneurs,” Luis said.
Startup Gladstone plans to run a second Pitch-A-Thon in the second half of 2021, “In partnership with Angel Loop startups from Brisbane and Melbourne, we would love to host another Gladstone event to bring the entrepreneurs from our programs together to showcase their work and be inspired by each other,” Luis said.
The Pitch-A-Thon event was possible due to a partnership with Here for Gladstone, Queensland Government, Gladstone Water Board, Angel Loops and APLNG ConocoPhillips.
For further information about the future event or Innov8or programs, please contact Startup Gladstone Ecosystem Builder Luis Arroyo at [email protected] or on 0424 092 537.
Our Innov8ors and judges:
Pictured (left to right):
Rowena Barrett (QUT), Gaetane Chiffleau (Creative Recycling Centre), Alby Eckel (Sound Asleep), Fabian Soutar (3DZ), Stephen Strachan (President of Startup Gladstone Inc.), Michelle Simic (Simrodz), Billie Lewis-Cassidy (cpl), Kylie Devine-Hewitt (Here for Gladstone), Rachel Bauer (Bank of Queensland), Simon Horne (Angel Loop)
