Ideas, the best ideas in Upstart Challenge 2018 from the Big Ideas

“Laughing to crying to who do I need to call to get these ideas going now”

That was just one of this year’s judging panel comments upon review of the 78 Big ideas submitted by our region’s young entrepreneurs and changemakers.

Furthermore, over 110 guests from education, business and the startup community all came together at the Gordon Gallery to discover the winning 11 Big Ideas from our young entrepreneurs who responded to the ask

“What’s your Big Idea to positively change your world?”

While, guests were treated to view the top 40 Big Ideas from this year’s program, providing all with a unique insight to just what’s on the minds of our youth and how their creative thinking can help to solve issues faced by many of us. The diversity of these ideas was echoed in an address by 2018 Program Sponsor Skilling the Bay’s Carley Brennan.

Most noteworthy, was when MC Jackson Docherty invited program sponsors to present each of the 11 Big Ideas winning entrants with $300 cash. These students are now in the running for a place in the final 6 entrants who will proceed to the Upstart Accelerator. Hence, student’s who don’t proceed through to the accelerator have the options of attending the Startup Bootcamp in the second week of the September school holidays.

Our judges Matt Dingle (CEO of FormFlow), Tina Perfrement (Future Proofing Geelong), Maurice Grasso (Angel Investor) and Jackson Docherty (Director Business Growth, Vic Uni) therefore, had the very difficult job of choosing the top 11. Maurice said, “the calibre of ideas this year is the best I’ve seen in a long time, making it very tricky to choose just 11”.

And the Top 11 are (in no particular order):

H2o Communications – A waterproof communication system for swim training. Entered by Amelia, Charlotte, and Pippa (Yr 9) from Sacred Heart College. Awarded by Skilling the Bay, our Program Partner.
Mental Health Hero – An app that helps you create your own Sasha Fierce Avatar to build your confidence. Entered by Brianna (Yr 8) from Christian College. Awarded by St Joseph’s College Foundation.
Rent a Way – An app to ease parking stress by utilising driveways. Entered by Matthew and Freddie (Yr 10) from St Joseph’s College. Awarded by Deakin University
Granny app – An app to monitor the movements, sleep patterns and meds of people you care for. Entered by Leif (Yr 9) from Geelong Baptist College. Awarded by Geelong Chamber of Commerce
Tydi Pockets – An app for teens to monitor their money and learn about finances. Entered by Yanah and Zara (Yr 8) from Sacred Heart College. Awarded by Lions Breakfast Club

Droneaid – A drone system to deliver urgent meds to people in need and other applications. Entered by Alejandro (Yr 7) from Geelong Baptist College. Awarded by Christian College Foundation
CTHBGMS (Close to a heart blood glucose monitoring system) – A blood glucose monitoring device placed close to the heart and linked to an app. Entered by Josh (Yr 9) from Lara Secondary College. Awarded by FormFlow
The Wardrobe – A fashion store where you can rent the latest trends by an app. Entered by Charlotte and Elke (Yr9) from Sacred Heart College. Awarded by Duxtel
Axis Shoes – Symmetrical shoes to avoid wear and tear and increase the lifetime and ease of use. Entered by Dayne (Yr 10) from Belmont High School. Awarded by mentor Scott Brown.
Myki Wallet – An app that allows you to check your Myki balance and plan journeys better. Entered by Jakob (Yr11)from Northern Bay College. Awarded by mentor Craig Goddard.
Community Coin – Tokens that you can purchase from 7/11 that people in need can redeem from the store. Entered by Joshua (Yr 12) from Northern Bay College. Awarded by Skilling the Bay our Program Partner.