Now in its seventh year the St George Kick Start competition, in partnership with TEDxSydney, saw 12 small business owners and entrepreneur finalists battle it out to win a share of $100,000 worth of grants, across two categories – New Business Idea and New Idea for an Existing Business. As with the rest of TEDxSydney 2020 the live pitches went digital this year, due to COVID-19. With finalists presenting their ideas via video. However, even a global pandemic didn’t stop 950 businesses tendering applications over the four-month submissions period.
The 12 finalists were judged by a panel of business and industry leaders including TEDxSydney Founder & Licensee – Remo Giuffre, St.George and Westpac Chief Digital & Marketing Officer – Martine Jager and Seven Network Presenter – David Koch. WIth the selection criteria centred on their ability to respond to a problem in a unique or innovative way, whilst also creating a positive impact within the community.
Winner of the New Business Idea and recipient of $40,000 was awarded to Lactamo, a lactation aid tool that combines temperature, movement, and compression in breast massage to address the issues that many mothers experience when breastfeeding.
The New Idea for an Existing Business winner is Xceptional, a technology recruitment firm that helps autistic people connect with meaningful careers.
The long standing partnership between TEDxSydney and St George is centered around the alignment of values and corporate vision, including people helping people and a desire to support and courage change makers and innovators within our community. This partnership has provided $700,000 in grants, since its inception, to help small business owners and entrepreneurs take their business ideas to the next level.
"We are delighted to partner with TEDxSydney for the seventh consecutive year through the St.George Kick Start program,” says Mark Stafford, SME State General Manager NSW/ACT at St.George.
To watch the 2020 Kick Start pitches, learn more about the finalists and winners or find out about the Kick Start program visit: https://www.stgeorge.com.au/business/kickstart