A onesie that can measure a baby’s heartrate and temperature. A watch that will call for help. An app that will measure wool quality – while it’s still on the sheep’s back. What could these things possibly have in common?
They are all exciting innovations coming out of the Australian eChallenge program. The Venture Showcase, held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, was an opportunity for participants to pitch their product or service to the public for the first time. The idea was for them to network, drum up business and, most importantly, find out what their prospective customers think!
“The Venture Showcase is such a fantastic event that really demonstrates the potential of our eChallenge participants. For many of them, it’s the first foray into the public arena and it can be confronting as well as exciting!” says ECIC Director and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Entrepreneurship), Professor Noel Lindsay.
Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Mike Brooks, also in attendance, agreed, praising the well-attended event and remarking on the outstanding quality of teams. His speech focused on the incredible opportunities afforded eChallenge participants through, for example, the Venture Showcase.
“The venture Showcase was a great opportunity to test our concept with a wide audience”, says participant, Kent Getsinger. His team, Bike Bus, have developed an app that connects communities of bike riders. He says, “It certainly has brought the next steps into sharp focus as we quickly progress through the eChallenge”.
Whilst the eChallenge is open to all manner of ideas, teams can choose to focus on particular sponsored streams, such as Cybersecurity (sponsored by TechInSA) and Wool Innovation (sponsored by Australian Wool Innovation). It gives participants the opportunity to address real world problems and establish strong links with key industry players.
The next step for eChallenge teams will be to put together a formal proposal and pitch it to a number of judges and investors in a semifinals, then a finals round. Winners will be announced at a Black Tie Dinner at Adelaide Oval in November.
