START-UPS MAKE PITCH TO GET LEG-UP

SURF Coast start-ups will have the opportunity to pitch to some of Australia’s leading venture capital funds.

Ripple Surf Coast’s Sustainable Startup Pitch Party will see selected businesses put their ideas to a selection panel on May 26.

The panel will include Intervalley Ventures’ Simon Wright, Giant Leap VC’s Rachel Yang, Bardee’s

Phoebe Gardner, Surf Coast Shire council’s Simon Loone and Andrew Davies, from B Lab Australia & NZ, who is representing B Corporation.

Mr Wright said the Surf Coast was a great starting point for sustainable ideas.

“The Surf Coast has a great history of innovative lifestyle entrepreneurialism in business and it’s great to see the progression into sustainability and environmental advocacy,” he said.

“As a local resident with deep roots to the area, I’m passionate about the local business community and excited to be part of supporting the emerging sustainable start-ups and businesses.”

Applications for the Sustainable Pitch Party closed on May 9, with start-ups undergoing a training session with Startup Victoria on May 16.

Six successful start-ups will be selected to pitch their ideas to the panel on May 26.