2023 Moreton Bay Techstars startup weekend

The energy of more than 30 aspiring entrepreneurs created a buzz at the second Techstars Startup Weekend at UniSC’s Moreton Bay campus.

A dynamic mix of visionaries came together for the event, driven by a shared mission to bring their startup concepts to life.

Teams ranging from one to four members worked to shape their business ideas into tangible and actionable models, with a prize pool of more than $20,000 up for grabs.

From testing the viability of their concepts with potential customers to presenting their business plans to a respected panel of judges, the participants left no stone unturned.

Throughout the weekend the aspiring entrepreneurs received expert guidance from top-notch mentors, took part in masterclasses, and got first-hand experience immersing themselves in startup life.

Local entrepreneurs

Regional Innovation Co-ordinator Steve Butler says the judges, consisting of esteemed industry leaders, evaluated the startups based on their sustainable business models, customer validation, execution, and design, as well as their potential impact on making the world a better place.

“This event showcases the immense potential of our local entrepreneurs and highlights the importance of fostering a thriving innovation ecosystem in the Moreton Bay Region,” Steve says.

“It's exciting to see the next generation of business leaders step up to solve real-world problems and shows just how much potential there is in the people of Moreton Bay - they only need to be given the tools.”

Steve says remarkable business ideas that promise to make their mark in their respective industries came to light across the weekend.

Groundbreaking ideas

An application harnessing developmental psychology and mental health research to promote confidence and wellbeing in children - Friend in My Pocket – claimed first place, while SignalSense took out second.

SignalSense is a groundbreaking approach to managing traffic lights that reduces carbon emissions, traffic congestion, and road accidents at a lower cost than existing solutions.

CarbonK, which is revolutionising the agricultural landscape by converting food waste into activated carbon-based fertiliser, reducing Australia's dependence on foreign producers and turning excess waste into exportable goods, was awarded third place.

In addition to the winning ideas, there were three other teams that impressed the judges - Wediate, IntrepidUS, and D4: Fourth Dimension.

The event was proudly brought to you by Moreton Bay City Council, delivered by Innovate Moreton Bay, and hosted by UniSC Moreton Bay.

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