StartSpace

🌟 Congratulations to the Study Melbourne Future Founders Pitch Competition Winners! 🌟 The Pitch Competition Final was one of many highlights at yesterday's Study Melbourne Future Founders Festival. The energy in the packed Conversation Quarter was electric! From a pool of many incredible applications, five international student startups were selected to pitch their businesses in just 3 minutes, followed by a rapid-fire Q&A with our expert judges. For the first time, the audience had their say too, voting live for their favorite! And the winners are... 🥁 🎉 1st Prize ($5,000 + StartSpace Loft Membership): Rally (Fey Shue & Varshith Meesala) – Connecting people with their next sports competitor or partner. 🎉 2nd Prize ($3,000): Huddled (Davin Karunanayake & Archer Simmonds) – Improving communication between students and education providers. 🎉 3rd Prize ($1,000): AUS BIOS LABS (Peter Francis Mathew Elango & Ying Zhi Cheong) - Enabling portable breast screening at the comfort of women's home. The Audience Choice Award went to Rally, who will receive mentorship from 🌏 Usman Iftikhar from Catalysr - Accelerator for Migrants & Refugees. A huge congratulations to all five teams - AUS BIOS LABS, FINNOVA, Huddled, Rally and SkillBite - for sharing your business ideas on stage. We can't wait to follow your entrepreneurial journeys! Special thanks to our amazing judges: 🙌 Caroline Hartnett, Study Melbourne 🙌 Xue Huang, StartSpace 🙌 Noel Mathew Paul, Breakthrough Victoria 🙌 Juan Pablo Reyes Lega, Cocodrilo Dog Games #FFP24 #FutureFoundersFestival #InternationalStudents #Founders #PitchCompetition

🎉 Today is the big day! The Study Melbourne Future Founders Festival opens its doors at the iconic State Library Victoria to inspire international students, migrants, refugees, and aspiring founders. This year’s theme is Creativity Sparks Innovation. Day Session: 10:30 AM - 4:40 PM 📍 Location: Conversation Quarter • Keynote: Head of Design at Canva • Panels: Hear from seasoned entrepreneurs and early-stage founders • Workshop: Build your entrepreneurial foundation Evening Session: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM 📍 Location: Conversation Quarter & Ian Potter Queens Hall • Keynote: Co-founder of Cocodrilo Dog Games • Pitch Competition Final: 🏆 1st: $5000 | 2nd: $3000 | 3rd: $1000 🎖 Audience Vote Prize: Mentor hours • After Party: DJ, bar, food, Photo Booth & more Special Thanks to Our In-Kind Sponsors: 🎁 July Luggage – Win premium luggage as a door prize! 🌿 BrandScent – Experience the unique scent of the festival, elevating the after-party vibe! 🌟 Doors open at 10:00 AM for registration. 🌞 Bonus: Enjoy the AC on this hot Melbourne day! Food and drinks are provided throughout the event. 🎟 Tickets are almost gone! Don’t miss out – grab yours now: https://lnkd.in/dsry-_kH #FFP24 #FutureFoundersFestival #FutureFounders #InternationalStudents #Entrepreneurs #StudyMelbourne #StartSpace

⭐ Panel Spotlight: Founder Stories: Strategies to Leverage Your Personal Brand ⭐ 📅 Friday, 22nd November 🕙 3:50 PM - 4:40 PM 📍 State Library Victoria Join us at the Study Melbourne Future Founders Festival for an inspiring panel featuring trailblazers who have successfully built their personal brands and use them to drive visibility and impact in their ventures. Learn how they navigate the delicate balance between personal and professional branding, leveraging identity while maintaining authenticity. ✨ Panelists: Deepa Mani CBAP, MSP – Founder & Artistic Director of chandralaya school of dance Deepa is a multi-award-winning artist and entrepreneur, blending her passion for South Asian arts with her role as founder of POC Beauty, a skincare and cosmetics brand celebrating diversity and representation. Quang Nguyen – MC Extraordinaire Quang is a vibrant communicator and PR expert who has built a career on wit and a creative flair. Known for their energy and connection, they bring joy and personality to every room they enter. Frances Goh – Head of Community & Growth at One Roof A champion for women-led businesses, Frances has onboarded over 1500 members into One Roof's digital community and is a 2024 AusMumpreneur Award Winner. She’s passionate about bridging the gender gap in business and entrepreneurship. ✨ Moderator: Himal Pillay – Founder and Director of Realign Himal is an award-winning speaker, facilitator and MC with a passion for empowering individuals. With an audience of over 100,000 across his social platforms, he’s a dynamic force in wellbeing, emotional intelligence and leadership. 🎟️ Register and join us at the Study Melbourne Future Founders Festival https://lnkd.in/dsry-_kH #FFP24 #FutureFounders #AspiringEntrepreneurs #InternationalStudents #PersonalBrand

🌟 Just One Week To Go! The Study Melbourne Future Founders Festival Is Almost Here 🌟 As #GlobalEntrepreneurshipWeek unfolds, join us on November 22 for Australia’s largest festival dedicated to international students, migrants, refugees, aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage founders. This year’s theme, Creativity Sparks Innovation, celebrates the power of fresh ideas and bold thinking. We’re bringing together dreamers, creators and trailblazers to inspire and be inspired. Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey or already making waves, this festival is for you! 📅 Date: Friday, November 22, 2024 🕙 Time: 10 AM – 9 PM 📍 Location: State Library Victoria What’s on the agenda? 🔑 Epic Keynotes & Game-Changing Panels 🎤 Hands-On Workshops & Real-World Insights 🏆 Pitch Competition with Audience Voting 🤝 Networking Opportunities 🎉 Evening Celebration to Connect & Reflect 🍕 Free Food & Drinks to Fuel Your Day 🎟️ Tickets are free but disappearing fast! Reserve yours here https://lnkd.in/dsry-_kH #FFP24 #FutureFoundersFestival #Startup #Innovation #InternationalStudends

🎉 Study Melbourne Future Founders Festival Party & Networking Night 🎉 After a day filled with learning and inspiration, we’re excited to come together and celebrate with international students, aspiring founders, and startup enthusiasts. 📅 November 22, 2024 🕑 7:10 PM - 9:00 PM 📍 Ian Potter Queens Hall, State Library Victoria The evening will feature: ✨ A live DJ to create a great atmosphere 🍹 A bar for drinks 🍕 Tasty snacks for everyone 📸 A photo booth to save your festival memories 🎭 A surprise act to make the night even more special Feel free to bring a friend. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/dsry-_kH #FFP24 #FutureFoundersFestival #StudyMelbourne #InternationalStudents #Entrepreneurship #StartupCommunity

⭐ Workshop Spotlight ⭐ Unlocking the Pieces of Your Entrepreneurial Identity Join us at the Study Melbourne Future Founders Festival for a special workshop led by the inspiring Aruna Venkatachalam, winner of the 2024 Asia Society Australia Gamechanger Awards, in the Education and Research category. Aruna is a leader in social impact and design thinking, with years of experience helping people like you unlock their potential. In this session, Aruna will guide you through hands-on activities to better understand your unique values, strengths, and areas for growth. You’ll leave with valuable insights and ideas to build a personal brand that reflects your true self as a future entrepreneur. 📅 November 22, 2024 🕑 2:50 PM - 3:45 PM 📍 Conversation Quarter, State Library Victoria Tickets are FREE but limited. 🎟️ Don’t miss out! Secure your spot to ensure you are part of this incredible day 👉 https://lnkd.in/dsry-_kH #FFP24 #FutureFoundersFestival #Entrepreneurship #Workshop #PersonalBrand #InternationalStudents #AspiringFounders

🚀 Only two weeks left until the Study Melbourne Future Founders Festival at the iconic State Library Victoria - and tickets are limited! This year’s theme, Creativity Sparks Innovation, will inspire your entrepreneurial journey from idea to impact with exclusive insights from some of Australia’s most creative and innovative brands: ✨ Canva’s Head of Design, Andrew Green, will deliver an inspiring keynote on Scaling Creativity: How Canva Grows with Design, Tech, and Community. ✨ Kmart Australia Limited's Head of Innovation, Fabio Oliveira, will join the product panel and share how innovative thinking fuels product development and influences market impact. ✨ Paire’s co-founder, Nathan Yun, recently featured on Shark Tank Australia, will moderate the international founders panel on leveraging diversity to innovate. 📅 Friday, November 22, 2024 🕙 10 AM – 9 PM 📍 State Library Victoria Whether you're an international student, migrant, or aspiring entrepreneur in Victoria, the festival offers a unique lineup for you: ✅ Keynote Speeches ✅ Panel Discussions ✅ Hands-on Workshop ✅ Pitch Competition ✅ Networking & Evening Party 🍽️ Plus, free food and drinks all day! Don’t wait! Tickets are free but capped, so register to secure your spot and be part of Australia’s largest entrepreneurial festival for international students and founders. Get your ticket(s) here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dsry-_kH #FFP24 #FutureFoundersFestival #Entrepreneurship #StudyMelbourne #InternationalStudents #Startups

⭐ Panel Spotlight ⭐ Startup Ecosystem 101: Getting Started, Getting Funded Join us in the Theatrette at the Study Melbourne Future Founders Festival, where ecosystem leaders will share insights on funding pathways, spotlight essential programs, and reveal local resources tailored for aspiring and early-stage founders. Panelists: ⭐ Sangeeta Mulchandani, Founder of Jumpstart Studio and Press Play Ventures ⭐ Josh Lipscombe 🌈, Head of Startup Success at LaunchVic ⭐ Olga Hogan, Senior Director at Breakthrough Victoria ⭐ Matt Vitale, Co-founder & CEO ay Birchal Moderator: 🎤 Paz Pisarski, Co-founder of The Community Collective 📅 Date: Friday, November 22, 2024 🕙 Time of panel: 2:50 PM - 3:45 PM 📍 Location: State Library Victoria, Theatrette 🎟️ Secure your free ticket to gain essential insights into the funding landscape and make valuable connections. Get your day ticket here https://lnkd.in/gbUHrYZV #FFP24 #FutureFounders #Startups #Startupecosystem #Founders #Entreprenerus #StartupFunding #StartupsVictoria

🎤 Evening Keynote Speaker Spotlight 🎤 We are excited to introduce our evening keynote speaker, Juan Pablo Reyes Lega! Juan is the co-founder of Cocodrilo Dog Games, the studio behind popular interactive music games like Moana: Rhythm Run, available across consoles, PC, and mobile. 🎮 Keynote Title: Play Your Strengths, Life is a Game. Join us to hear from Juan as he shares powerful insights on setting goals and following your North Star. Drawing from his work with industry leaders like Disney and Nickelodeon, as well as his experience developing games loved worldwide, Juan will guide us through breaking down big goals, staying focused, and the importance of continuous learning. He will also share his experience of bringing his business from Latin America to Melbourne, focusing on the lessons learned as a migrant founder. 📅 Date: Friday, November 22, 2024 🕔 Time: 5:10 PM – 6:00 PM 📍 Venue: State Library Victoria Register here to learn from Juan’s journey: https://lnkd.in/dsry-_kH #FFP24 ##FutureFoundersFestival #KeynoteSpeaker #Entrepreneurship #MusicVideoGames #FounderStories #InternationalStudents #InternationalFounders

🥳 The StartSpace team are extremely excited to announce the 2025 Lisa Ring and Family Scholars are: 🌟 Josh Farrington, founder and CEO of Healio Healio is a patient-centric mobile application designed to educate, guide and support hospital patients navigating long or complex healthcare journeys. This includes cancer treatment, stroke rehab, orthopaedic rehab, mental health management and much more. 🌟 Ruwini Cooray, founder and CEO of Neurogen Neurogen is developing an advanced cell-based brain implant solution for treating neurological diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The scholarships include: 🚀 $10,000 AUD of seed funding for your business 🚀 12-months of StartSpace Loft membership 🚀 tailored development and support opportunities across the scholarship program 👏 Congratulations Josh and Ruwini! We look forward to welcoming you into the StartSpace Loft next year and can't wait to see your businesses evolve! Press release: https://lnkd.in/gh6Gp8Bd Pictured below from left: Joel McGuinness, Director, Experience, State Library Victoria Josh Farrington, Founder and CEO, Healio  Ruwini Cooray, Founder and CEO, Neurogen Lisa Ring, Philanthropist Helen Souness, StartSpace Committee Member and Venture Partner, Rampersand #scholarship #LisaRing #LisaRingandFamily #NewBusinessScholarship #NewFounder #NewBusiness #EarlyStageBusiness #BusinessSupport #SeedFunding #BusinessHelp #StartupHelp #StateLibraryVictoria #SLV