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Hive Haven and Nano-Nouvelle shine at Pitch Competition Bee hive manufacturers Hive Haven and battery technology
Mr Paddenburg said that Ms Moroz’s pitch clearly outlined an
company Nano-Nouvelle recently took out the top spots in the
investment opportunity – a scalable business with innovative
annual IC Business Pitch Competition 2014 at the Innovation
intellectual property and a serious opportunity for a profitable
Centre Sunshine Coast (IC), winning prize packages valued at
exit – that would be hugely attractive to many large investors.
over $20K that will help accelerate their business growth.
As the Investment Category winner, Nano-Nouvellewon
The IC Business Pitch Competition is the Sunshine Coast’s
consultations with Brisbane Angels and Unlimited
premiere business event that works with new businesses
Investments Group, an accommodation package to
to test their concept and models, and with growing
assist in business travels, and IC Membership.
businesses to help them access investment and finance.
They also had the opportunity to pitch in front of real investors
Ann and Jeff Ross, Directors of Hive Haven impressed the
from Australia and abroad, including two Venture Capital investors
‘Dragon’s Den’ style judging panel with their innovative bee hive
from Silicon Valley in the US. Mr Paddenburg was thrilled with
designs to take out the first prize in the Concept Category. The
the quality of the applicants in this year’s competition.
hives are constructed of recycled plastic and include new design
“We heard pitches from a wide range of industries,
features that deter bee-killing diseases, beetles and mites.
from pillow manufacturers to software platform
Their prize package includes $1000 for the development
developers, all of whom are developing innovative
of the business, as well as bookkeeping services,
models with great potential,” said Mr Paddenburg.
financial consultations, legal consultations, website
Virtual reality headset developers Phenomecwere
“Our annual pitch competition really highlights the diversity of businesses on the Sunshine Coast, how important it is to provide the support they need to grow.”
named as the runner up in the Concept Category.
The IC Business Pitch Competition 2014 was generously
development, smartphone app development, a brand film, an advertising package and IC Membership. Judge Mark Paddenburg, CEO of the ICsaid that Hive Haven’s concept addressed a number of serious problems facing a niche but profitable industry, and was backed by a solid business plan and financial projections.
Stefanie Moroz, CEOof Nano-Nouvellewas the overall winner of the Investment Category, and impressed the judging panel with her investment pitch for Nano-Nouvelle’s innovative technology which improves battery performance. Cloud computing platform developers Cloud DC were named as the runner up.
sponsored by the Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast, Regional Development Sunshine Coast, Business Matters Magazine, EON Digital Labs, Innovate Media, Poole Group, RADBE Consulting, redchip lawyers, Suncorp Bank, University of the Sunshine Coast, Unlimited Investments Group, View Hotels and Zerobooks.com.
The competition will return again in 2015.
BUSINESS MATTERS 55
