23 key innovators make the cut

Beverley Head
Friday, 23 July 2010 13:39

IT Industry - Development

The 23 Australian innovators that will headline this year’s Tech23 event have been announced – all salivating no doubt at the opportunity to compete for a $150,000 prize-pool.

Tech23, organised by Slattery IT, gives 23 local innovators the opportunity to showcase their wares, and in some cases attract the interest of venture capitalists. The event will be held in Sydney on August 19.

Five innovations will be selected as winners of the prizes which have been provided by the NSW Government. A top prize of $50,000 is on offer, along with four runner up awards worth $25,000 each.

In addition, over 20 innovations will be showcased at the event’s Innovation Island, which provides a more informal opportunity for innovators to introduce their ideas.

According to Rachel Slattery, director of Slattery IT,  after the success of last year’s inaugural event, which led to a handful of start-ups securing additional funding, investors and board members, the demand to participate in this year’s Tech 23 was significant.

She said that a total of 140 companies had applied for the 23 slots, with a number of innovations from universities, NICTA and the CSIRO stepping up to the plate. Slattery added that she was particularly pleased by the depth of innovation which ranges from IT for the disabled, through green technology to robotics, communications and gaming technology.