Runway gives hot ideas lift-off
A NEW batch of entrepreneurs are starting to get their business propositions off the ground at Runway Geelong.
The diverse business startups being developed under the Runway accelerator program include a business aid for the horticulture industry, an online platform for the fashion industry and a diagnostic tool to help businesses assess the impact they have on Aboriginal people and culture.
The exciting program is also supporting a teenage graduate from the Upstart program, which builds entrepreneurial skills in Geelong region schools, who has already launched an online vintage clothing store.
The seven participating start-ups were selected from 29 applicants. They are the third group to be supported by Runway which will put the start-ups through a comprehensive program to ensure their best chance for success.
Runway enables each startup to create a proof of concept and prepare them for operating an ongoing commercial business, as well as pitching for future funding to support their growth.
Founders will get help to explore and challenge all elements of running a business including HR, marketing, governance, finance, law and capital raising.
Participating business founders will do the accelerator program for 12 weeks, followed by another 12-week incubation support period under which they get a working space with access to a network of mentors, investors and partners. Background: Ms Nott, of Portarlington, and Ms Sanders, of Melbourne, met at fashion school. Ms Nott has worked primarily in sales and marketing while Ms Sanders has worked in the fashion industry as a design and production assistant for some Melbourne labels. Product Pitch: Wevour is an online marketplace and community that open sources the fashion supply chain.
It will provide the platform to connect a network of designers, seamstresses and buyers.
Designers will list a product, a customer will buy it, and the product will go back to an open marketplace for someone to make.
Wevour will enable designers and seamstresses to gain employment in an industry in which it is difficult to find entry jobs. Background: A former biochemist at CSIRO, Mr Sheean, returned to study at Deakin, graduating with an engineering degree last year. A Geelong resident, he works at Carbon Revolution. Mr Wilson, also of Geelong, graduated with an engineering degree from Deakin last year. Mr Volk works at a business based at Manufutures at Deakin, where he previously studied mechanical engineering. Product Pitch: Isotope 6 will make custom-made carbon fibre cycling shoes for road and track cyclists.
The super-light shoes will be built to mould around a user’s foot from pictures supplied by the customer online.
They will offer increased comfort and stiffness and improved aerodynamic performance.
The business will use the latest technology to calculate foot geometry and use state-ofthe-art manufacturing technologies to produce the shoes. Background: Ms Uppill, of Geelong, has worked in all tiers of government. An Aboriginal woman, her birth name was Arranyinha which means firstborn woman of her family line. Product Pitch: Arranyinha will support boards and businesses across Australia to assess the impact they have on Aboriginal people and culture by using a diagnostic tool.
The business is seeking strategic change from the business community in line with the Closing the Gap agenda.
Following Arranyinha‘s diagnostic audit, it will work with business to develop strategic and systemic frameworks in areas including cultural awareness and employment programs. Background: Mr Dhanapalan, of Lara, worked in IT and business consulting, primarily in the education sector but also for not-for profits and corporate. Mr Skidmore is a career IT manager who lives in Melbourne. Product Pitch: Career Nexus is an online platform allowing businesses to be proactive about recruitment and employees to better manage their career opportunities.
It aims to reduce inefficiency of the recruitment process and increase the success rate of new hires by allowing companies to plan ahead by proactively posting roles prior to a formal search to fill a job vacancy.
Job candidates will also benefit from being able to plan ahead and better manage their career path. Background: Mr Pelliccia is a Melbourne physicist who has been working in developing instrumentation with physics applications in areas including medical imaging and sensors. Product Pitch: Rubens is a technology tool to monitor the maturity of fresh fruit before and after harvest. It will lead to efficiencies and improved consistency in the horticulture industry. Users will be able to better predict the harvest date, allowing for improved logistics around picking, distribution and storage. Rubens will help find the best possible market for the produce, including export opportunities, and potentially add a premium to the price. Background: Mr Walker, 18, of Bell Post Hill, was part of the Upstart program while at Covenant College last year. Product Pitch: Mr Walker is developing an online shopping portal, worldclassvintage.com, which launched less than two months ago.
World Class Vintage supplies rare, high-quality vintage garments to teenagers and young adults, offering a wide range on one platform. It aims to connect buyers to suppliers, so other people can sell their clothes on its platform. Background: Ms Warne has operated a Geelong-based marketing and public relations agency for 12 years. Product Pitch: Get Set Go is a cloud-based platform to help small business with their marketing needs. There are two million small business in Australia but it can be difficult for them to afford the time or cost of a marketing consultant, with many doing it themselves. Get Set Go will provide a variety of tools to create a bespoke marketing solution.