Accelerating South Australia’s future with seven innovative startups – University of South Australia

23 November 2023

The University of South Australias Innovation & Collaboration Centre (ICC) is excited to announce the next cohort of participants in its leading six-month accelerator program.

As the seven startups proceed through the ICCs Venture Catalyst program they will be supported through expertise, resources and funding to accelerate their businesses, taking them to market sooner as they cement their place in South Australias entrepreneurial ecosystem.

UniSA Deputy Director: Business Incubation Craig Jones says the diverse organisations joining the program this year include two social enterprises.

We have an exceptional group of startups within this cohort, with several looking to make transformative impacts within the medical sector, he says.

Being involved with these companies in their infancy allows us to push their potential on what could be possible, and the positive ripple effects that has on the wider South Australian community.

Calm-Vax co-founders Dr Sarah Sheppard and Kirsty Harvey are using their ICC opportunity to further build their business towards the goal of reducing needle-related anxiety in children, alongside secondary aims of improving community attitudes towards vaccinations and coping.

We are especially excited about the individualised business support provided as well as the connection, networking and mentoring opportunities, Sheppard says.

Hairy As founder Daryl McMahon aims to support a stronger, more equitable community through delivering steady funding to its social purpose partners through sales of its beard products.

I sawVentureCatalyst as an opportunity to get the support, expertiseand resources I need to take Hairy As from concept to launch and beyond, with a solid underpinning to ensure ongoing sustainability,he says.

eDON co-founder Supriya Dixit is looking to help hospitals address understaffing by enabling them to fill gaps in their rosters directly with qualified nurses, using a software solution her business has developed.

We feel that being immersed in the startup community will be immensely beneficial for our team and that being surrounded by other companies in their early stages will provide us with opportunities to learn from each other's progress, she says.

In joining the ICC community, these startups now have access to a pool of global industry experts who will help drive their progress over the next six-months, as well as a $10,000 stipend, tailored workshops, university resources and one-on-one mentoring.

The social enterprise component of the Venture Catalyst program is partly funded by the Pank Family, who support social innovation and enterprises developed by UniSA students, staff or alumni.

Find out more about the program at https://icc.unisa.edu.au/programs/venture-catalyst/#about-venture-catalyst

Innovation & Collaboration Centres 2024 Venture Catalyst cohort:

The 2024 participants began the 6-month accelerator program in October, with a four-week induction featuring workshops from leading industry experts.

Media Contact:

Georgia Minarelli M: +61 413 314 726 E: Georgia.minarelli@unisa.edu.au

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Accelerating South Australia's future with seven innovative startups - University of South Australia