SmartCompany is very excited to announce the shortlist for the latest instalment of the Pitch, our early-stage startup competition. They’ll pitch to our expert guest judging panel on September 4 in Melbourne, which features business luminaries Maxine Lee, COO of Skalata VC, Mark Newman, LaunchVic’s startup programs manager, Sarah Green, co-founder of Protagonist Capital, and William Hasko, small business marketing director at Dell Technologies. Shortlisted startups for the Pitch, in alphabetical order Grapevine is an embryonic social marketplace app for sustainable and ethical product reviews, shopping and information.
Founded in February 2024 by University of Melbourne Master of Entrepreneurship graduate Aaron Fraser , the app aims to simplify the sustainable shopping journey. Grapevine features a social media feed where users post interactive reviews about products and experiences they recommend and lifestyle tips to be more sustainable and ethical, a marketplace filled with brands across categories like fashion, homewares and skincare, backed by product profiles that tell you why a product and the brand is sustainable and ethical. The startup aims to help people discouraged by greenwashing shop more sustainably, by creating a space where users can shop to make a difference with confidence and convenience.
Humpday is on a mission to end the loneliness crisis with an offline dating app designed to empower authentic connection. Founded in October 2023 by former sports physiotherapist Kara Zervides and marketing director Charlotte Vieira , the app exists to bridge the gap between online and offline dating, and bring some fun back to being single, based on the belief that over a decade it, dating app fatigue is rife. Humpday argues dating apps can suck up time that could be better spent catching up on Netflix, learning to cartwheel, starting a side hustle, hanging out with mates, or almost anything else.
On Humpday, chat is only open on Wednesdays. By limiting chat to 24 hours, it aims to change the online dating game, with quicker responses and matches that actually want to meet in person, on Wednesdays. Oltre aims to transform the Australian housing market by making high-quality, architect-designed homes accessible and affordable for everyone.
Founded in 2024 by experienced architect Kirby Roper , the company seeks to leverage AI and sustainable practices, enhance environmental efficiency, and foster a deeper connection between architects and home buyers, simplifying the journey to architect-designed homes, while highlighting the value architects bring. Architecture has been viewed as a luxury reserved for the privileged few, leaving countless Australians devoid of the benefits of expert design. Roper’s vision for Oltre is fuelled by a desire to reimagine Australian housing, granting everyone the opportunity to experience the magic of an architect-designed home.
Peak Medical aims to create scalable healthcare solutions, to disrupt healthcare for the better. Founded in 2020 by former UNSW entrepreneur in-residence Hayley Saddington , Peak Medical wants to revolutionise home healthcare for people with arthritis, by bringing clinical-grade digital care to customers’ doorsteps, overcoming financial barriers, or assisting people preferring a home-based service. Saddington spent years working in orthopaedic companies, partnering with surgeons, hospitals and patients in joint replacement.
Peak Medical ‘s core offering is built around BIBO (Better In Better Out), digital medical software that seeks to bring affordable, accessible, and personalised physiotherapy directly to homes, offering comprehensive care for pre and post-operative joint surgery. Restify seeks to empower families in advance to navigate their toughest times, with a death cycle management platform that simplifies processes, connects loved ones, and enables wellbeing support. Founded by Infosys project manager and BibVault co-founder Devipriya Selvaraj , the company is building an end-of-life management platform for first-generation immigrants that empowers families to navigate their toughest moments through empathetic end-of-life education, human connection and support reducing stress, anxiety and saving time and money.
Devi is a second-time founder, advised by the DeathTech research team at the University of Melbourne. The winning startup will take home a bevy of prizes including a $10,000 technology hardware pack and access to mentoring program from Dell Technologies and Dell For Startups . The People’s Choice Award will also return.
Want to come along, see the innovation on show, hear the judges’ insightful feedback and help pick a winner? Register now to save your spot. Never miss a story: sign up to SmartCompany’s free daily newsletter and find our best stories on LinkedIn ..
