Author: Orbit Studio

One lucky North East startup is singing to a very different tune after progressing through the first round of a competition that could see them share in over $100,000 in prizes, including a trip to China! 

Congratulations to “MachEst”, a web platform that automates CNC design quotations, for taking home the winning prize at last night’s Pitch Fest held at the Wangaratta Regional Study Centre.The prize includes an all-expenses paid trip to attend the Jiangsu Victoria Startup Summit held in Nanjing, China in May, to compete for a share in over $100,000 in prizes. 

Founder Sidney Steele is grateful for the opportunity.  

“It’s really exciting to build this type of stuff locally. This is really going to put North East Victoria on the map, encourage growth and keep our people local with new opportunities.” 

Guest judges Mark Cooper of Defining Leaders, Amelia Hartney of Crowe Horwath, and Sarah Brindley from the Rural City of Wangaratta, had a tough decision to make in their selection. 

“I was truly impressed by the quality of submissions we received” Says Emma Jones, Coordinator of Startup Shakeup. “It’s clear from our first pitch night that Northeast Vic has caught the startup bug. With the support and interest shown last night, our Startup Shakeup community will only strengthen.” 

Second place was awarded to “Teledrome”, a real-time drone tracking app by Jay Davis, and in third place was the permaculture-based shelter “GarDen” by Callum Morrison.  

The Pitch Fest was one of several competitions held state-wide to select 15 Victorian startups who will then be matched with Jiangsu startups or companies to participate in a hackathon and Mayors and Investors Forum on 14-15 May in Nanjing, China.  

“This is a unique opportunity for regional Victoria, and all thanks to the 40th anniversary of the partnership between the City of Melbourne and Jiangsu province in China.” Says Shane McIlroy from the City of Melbourne. “It’s not often that we can get 15 seats on a plane funded by China for the benefit of Victorian based startups, and it’s great to see such strong support and potential in the North East’s rural communities.” 

Mayor Scott Upston from Benalla Rural City, was enthusiastic about an event of this type happening in our region, and the potential for regional growth.  

“What excites me about this Startup Shakeup movement is that there’s now an opportunity for young people and local talent to stay in their communities and prosper – without having to go to the big smoke. After tonight, it’s now up to the leaders in our communities to step up and encourage men, women, and youth to get involved in events such as this so we can continue regional growth and keep people local.” 

The Pitch Fest was a taste of things to come with a similar celebration event planned for July 26 which will see even more startups contesting for a helping-hand prize that could have their North East product or service launched into a global market. Stay up to date at: startupshakeup.co 

Startup Shakeup, in partnership with Runway Geelong, is bringing a Pitch Fest to North East Victoria on April 4. 

The competition, to be held in Wangaratta, will see startups pitching their business idea and competing for a share in over $100,000 in prizes – including an all-expenses paid trip to attend the Jiangsu Victoria Startup Summit held in Nanjing, China in May 2019. 

Co-organised by the Nanjing Municipal Government, City of Melbourne, Pukou District Government, Nanjing Overseas Innovation Centre and Australia-China Association of Scientists and Entrepreneurs (ACASE), the Summit creates a unique opportunity for Victorian and Jiangsu cities and businesses alike to exchange knowledge, build strong commercial relationships and discuss solutions to current issues affecting communities.   

Peter Dostis, CEO of Runway Geelong and sponsor of the event, is excited for the opportunities it will bring to our North East Victoria region. 

CEO of Runway Geelong, Peter Dostis: 

“China can be a difficult market to enter without the right level of connections and introductions. The summit is a fantastic opportunity for any North East startup or scaling-up business looking to get started in China.” 

The winner of the April 4 Pitch Fest competition will win a fully paid trip including travel, accommodation, and a formal introduction that could pave the way for a thriving global venture.  

This will be one of several competitions held state-wide to select 15 Victorian startups who will then be matched with Jiangsu startups or companies to participate in a hackathon and Mayors and Investors Forum on 14-15 May in Nanjing, China.  

Applications for the Pitch Fest close on March 27th, 2019. Submissions can be made at www.startupshakeup.co 

Everyone is invited to come and enjoy an evening of exciting pitches and support our local startups from 6pm-8pm on 4 April at Wangaratta Regional Study Centre, 218 Tone Rd, Wangaratta.  For catering purposes please book at:  

PHOTO CAPTION: L-R Catherine MacMillan (Benalla Rural City), Peter Dostis (Runway), Emma Jones (Startup Shakeup), Rachael Richards (Rural City Wangaratta), Anne Shaw (NE Tracks LLEN), Brett Ambrosio (GOTAFE), Ilena Young (Charles Sturt University), Danielle Roberts (Mansfield Shire) planning the upcoming Pitch Night in Wangaratta 

Photo Credit : Startup Shakeup 

It’s the time of year when tree-changes and career moves make the list of new year’s resolutions. And there’s never been a better time to start a new business venture than in 2019 with the Startup Shakeup. 

Founded in 2018, this local North East Victorian network is the place for current and future business founders to pitch ideas, gain support from bright minds and potential investors, and access resources to get a side hustle off the ground.  

2019 brings networking events and workshops to Indigo Benalla, Wangaratta and Mansfield municipalities that will connect like-minded movers-and-shakers, identify local community problems that could benefit from innovation, and support the founding of innovative new business ventures to shape and grow our region. 

Startup Shakeup Coordinator Emma Jones  

“Everything we offer is either free or low cost, thanks to funding from LaunchVic and support from local councils, CSU, NE Tracks LLEN and GOTAFE.” 

LaunchVic CEO Kate Cornick 

“93% of Victorian startups are based in the Melbourne CBD – so our focus is to expand the opportunities for startups to be created anywhere in Victoria with the right support and ecosystem” 

• Kick-off is in February with Smart Seeds Open in Benalla on Saturday 16 February, the second in a series of workshops designed to attract local leaders and thinkers to tackle challenges too big to solve on their own, and creating solutions for lasting community benefit and business success in the region. Other events between now and Easter include: 

• Jump Start Me – pre-accelerator program kicks off on in Benalla on Wednesday 6 March at and is a series of four weekly workshops that will teach you what it takes to go global with an idea. Comes with mentoring so you can work through your own idea with a coach. 
• CSU Organisational Entrepreneurship Program – designed for managers and leaders to develop, launch and grow innovative ideas and projects within their businesses or organisations which starts on Friday February 15 at Wangaratta Regional Study Centre.  
• My Big Idea by Global Sisters – A workshop designed to help women explore and land a concept they want to turn into a business. 

What is Startup Shakeup? 

Thanks to a $400,000 grant from LaunchVic, Startup Shakeup is a network of entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors striving to turn big ideas into jobs and opportunities for growth in North East Victoria. More information and event registration at: www.startupshakeup.co 

Whether you’re a person with a great idea to solve local problems, a visionary who wants to leave their mark and give back, or someone looking to pursue a side hustle outside the 9-5, the Startup Shakeup network invite  you to be part of the new calendar of events across Beechworth, Yackandandah , Benalla, Wangaratta and Mansfield. 

Photo credit: Paul Dillon 
Photo L-R: Some of the Startup Shakeup team 

Danielle Dalmau (Mansfield Shire Council), Anne Shaw (NE Tracks LLEN), Emma Jones (Startup Shakeup), Catherine Macmillan (Benalla Rural City Council), Kate Cornick (CEO, LaunchVic), Rachael Richards (Rural City of Wangaratta), Ilena Young (Charles Sturt University), Rohan Latimer (Jewellers Coworking) 

The Startup Shakeup network, an initiative funded by LaunchVic – the independent government agency responsible for developing Victoria’s startup ecosystem – has been busy shaking things up in the North East. Local pitch coaching, challenge workshop, and networking events in Mansfield, Benalla, Wangaratta, Beechworth and Yackandandah have been drawing enthusiastic entrepreneurs and innovators out of the North East woods, and the region is now primed for even more events in 2019.  

And as the year comes to a close, Startup Shakeup is offering entrepreneurs, innovators, and aspiring startups the opportunity to mingle with the founders of a local-turned-international sensation: Shootzu. 

Founded by James Anderson – a local video producer from Eildon, Shootzu is a startup that assists photographers and videographers in building a trusted crew of second shooters, solo shooters, editors, assistants, etc. Through the app, photographers and videographers can network and assist each other on projects as well. 

Shootzu is a result of Anderson identifying a gap in the market of an ability to easily find quality crew to support small video and photo gigs. This digital startup aims to be the go-to networking and job marketplace platform for photography and videography worldwide, and has just launched to the Australian market in 2018. 

The Startup Shakeup is hosting James and crew at two local networking events this week in Benalla (1pm at the North Eastern Hotel) and Mansfield (6pm at Bos Taurus). Events are free to attend, and are a great opportunity for photographers, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and startups to learn more about Shootzu and the startup founder journey.