The Australian Innovation Competition has unveiled its five winners, representing diverse industries and offering transformative technological solutions.
EarFlo, Innofocus, Ripen Tech, Vaulta, and Zondii have each earned a $30,000 Innovation Prize from Industry Growth Centre METS Ignited, providing vital support for their innovations and the potential to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in their respective sectors.
“The competition showcases local creativity and technological talent, positioning Australia as a global innovation leader. It highlights opportunities at the state and national levels to address challenges related to commercialization, investment access, and platform exposure for groundbreaking innovations,” stated Alex Blood, Head Judge for the Australian Innovation Competition.
Kylah Morrison, leading the competition on behalf of METS Ignited, expressed delight at the high number and quality of applications received, showcasing innovation from across the country.
The competition attracted over 180 entries across various sectors, including health, energy, agriculture, manufacturing, software, social, environmental, resources, and industry. The winners were selected based on aggregate scores from seven judges.
EarFlo, a disguised medical device, facilitates the treatment of chronic ear infections in young children, helping prevent cognitive and developmental delays. CEO Intan Oldakowska emphasized the impact on Australian children’s access to this treatment.
Innofocus developed a high-performance flexible film capable of cooling objects without electricity, reducing carbon emissions in agriculture, transportation, and energy storage.
Ripen Tech introduced an IoT device for real-time fruit weighing on plants, reducing waste and inaccuracies. It addresses issues such as product rejections, offering accurate yield information before harvest.
Vaulta designed a long-duration battery storage product, promoting sustainability through advanced materials and efficient design, encouraging recycling and reusing.
Zondii’s handheld device replaces costly wool classification technology for woolgrowers, saving time and improving decision-making efficiency.
These innovations drive positive change, pushing boundaries and exemplifying Australia’s innovation and creativity, according to Les Delaforce, judge and Head of First Nations Entrepreneurship at Minderoo Foundation.
The competition also featured many early-stage companies and startups, with three-quarters of entrants coming from companies with annual turnovers under $2 million. Over half of these companies had one to five employees.
Judge Arron Wood AM, Chief Policy and Impact Officer at the Clean Energy Council, emphasized the importance of fostering, supporting, and promoting Australian innovators on the global stage.
Innovations hailed from across Australia, with representation from New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and Western Australia.
Notable finalists included Audioplay, Camp Connect Pty Ltd, Claire Rackely, Emma Charters, Foxo, FreddyBear, Hypersonix, LeapForward, Mustard Seed, Natural Branding, OneVision, OWAD Environment, Scoot Boots, Sensibility, Southern Ocean Subsea, Sprightly, StandbyU, and Violet.
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