This article is sponsored by the University of Sydney. Authorised by Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof. Stephen Garton. Enquiries: 9351 2000; info.centre@sydney.edu.au
INCUBATE, Australia’s first university-based accelerator program, has announced the 10 start-ups accepted for this year’s program. The multi award-winning program at the University of Sydney mentors and funds students, alumni and researchers to launch start-ups through its accelerator program.
In nine years, the INCUBATE program has supported 125 start-ups, attracting more than $35 million in investment funding and generating around 400 jobs.
The INCUBATE Accelerator Class 16 start-ups for 2021 are:
- Achange Study – an online platform that connects international students with Australian education providers and simplifies the complex application process.
- ACWA – a passive atmospheric water capture technology that collects water from the atmosphere and processes it to provide a sustainable water source at low cost and can function 24 hours a day.
- Ballot Box – is a platform that puts democracy into the palm of everyone’s hand. The app allows people to review political party stances and raise core issues with those in power in one centralised location.
- Codex Research – unique bioreactor technology allowing researchers to cure diseases without testing on animals. The technology will revolutionise the discovery and treatment of diseases by growing accurate models of human biology.
- Kidcampus – Australia’s largest centralised place to help parents find, compare, and book the best after school and holiday programs for their children.
- KOBI – produces sustainably made and waterproof designer cork handbags to provide women with an eco-friendly alternative to the traditional leather and plastic-based handbag.
- Neurgeon – harnesses closed-loop rehabilitation circuits to help post-stroke patients regain movement and heal quickly, easily and cost-effectively.
- Newsplay – aims to deliver personalised, curated news content 24 hours a day in over 16 languages via its unique A.I animatronitc news anchor, S.A.M (smart.anchor.machine).
- Pixii – Australia’s most eco-friendly period products that are made of 100 percent organic cotton and contain no plastic. Pixii is designed to be freely available at work, schools and more.
- Refundid – instant refunds for any online purchases. By removing the current 7–14 day refund wait time, Refundid improves customer satisfaction and increases sales for stores.
Founder of ACWA, Chiara Neto, is a Professor and Australian Research Council Future Fellow in the School of Chemistry, and member of the University of Sydney Nano Institute.
“The INCUBATE program exposes our team – both students and staff – to a set of skills, a frame of mind and a network that we rarely develop in our usual academic work. Incubate is a great asset of the University and we are grateful to have been included in this year’s program,” Professor Neto said.
INCUBATE’s 14-week incubation program provides entrepreneurs with $5,000 seed funding, working space on campus, mentoring, advice and guidance from some of Australia’s most experienced mentors, and access to professional networks of the University and supporting organisations. You can find out more about INCUBATE at: incubate.org.au
