Tim will join the winners of the Sydney and Melbourne finals, travelling to San Francisco in November to compete against startups from around the world for the Startup World Cup title and its US$1 million investment prize.
The Australian group also includes UNSW Founders-backed startups Roam Technologies, led by Shan-Shan Wang, which has developed a portable oxygen device for everyday use by people living with chronic respiratory conditions, and women’s health startup Arelis, founded by Tori Fox, whose technology aims to speed up diagnosis of conditions including endometriosis.
The Queensland final, held in Moreton Bay and hosted by Startup & Angels, brought together 12 founders pitching across sectors including healthtech, AI, construction, accessibility, drones and climate technology.
Among the finalists was The People’s Choice winner, Santiago Velasquez from Hailo Solutions, the first blind electrical engineer in the Southern Hemisphere, currently relocating to Canada to keep building in accessibility.
Other finalists included:
- Dr. Joni Sytsma, Rocket Fast Drones
- Hamilton James, Phantom Dynamics
- Scott Goulter, UV Sentry
- Nadeesha Chandrasena, Urban Inventors Smart Drain
- Santiago Velasquez, Hailo Solutions
- Stephanie Bofinger, Fempro Armour
- Judy Sahay, ID/Ai
- Dr Anu G, ? StatDoctor
- Farin Yazdan Parast, Noya Medical
- Peter Kakris, ScreenCoach
- Tim Lea. Fidestra AI
The Queensland event highlighted the need for stronger national support for Australia’s innovation ecosystem – that while regional initiatives such as those in local Moreton Bay area demonstrate what is possible, founders continue to leave Australia in search of larger opportunities internationally.
The Startup & Angels global team are looking to take a cohort to join the winners who are interested in global growth and seeing what Silicon Valley has on offer! Interested? Fill out the form here now!
The Queensland final was delivered through a collaboration between Startup & Angels, Australiance, Creative HQ and Innovate Moreton Bay.
