Grants make dreams reality
Businesses share in $34k grants
BUSINESS dreams are a step closer to reality for the three winners of the inaugural Business Navigator’s Pitch Challenge Finals Night.
Nine finalists from the Western Downs showcased their business ideas at the Pitch Challenge in Chinchilla on Thursday to win a share of $34,000 in prizes.
The winners of the Best Young Entrepreneur, were George Harris and Bridget Ward who recognised the mental health issues associated with rural living and are using performance-based education in schools to help combat some of these issues.
“We are so grateful for this opportunity and winning this means we can now travel out to regional areas and help those communities,” Ms Ward said.
The winner of the Best New Business Idea was Naomi Gearon for her plan to provide an online contract review service, making legal contract advice more affordable and accessible.
She said winning the challenge will move her business forward quickly.
“Being involved in this challenge has given me the tools necessary to grow my business,” she said.
David Abbott, the winner of the Best Growth Idea, pitched his innovative idea of a Ute or trailer-mounted picket driving fencing machine that will reduce labour, cost and time to complete a fencing job.
Mr Abbott said of his win, “I feel very lucky to be involved in such a great program. It has really pushed me to go forward with my idea so it can help other people be more productive”.
The Pitch Challenge is part of the Business Navigator Western Downs program supported by Shell’s QGC social investment program and their three-year commitment to supporting start-ups and growing businesses.
National Social Performance Manager for Shell’s QGC Project Simon Nish said he was blown away with the calibre of the talent and the wide range of exciting business ideas in the region.
“The program was developed in response to feedback from communities. We heard that supporting business and economic diversification is of benefit to our local communities,” he said.
The Business Navigator’s program is part of Shell’s QGC Social Investment Program and is delivered by Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise, aimed at diversifying the local economy.
Photo: Tertius Pickard