Hives Haven and Nano-Nouvelle shine at PITCH COMPETITION

Hive Haven and Nano-Nouvelle shine at Pitch Competition

Bee hive manufacturers Hive Haven and battery technology company Nano-Nouvelle recently took out the top spots in the annual IC Business Pitch Competition 2014 at the Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast (IC), winning prize packages valued at over $20K that will help accelerate their business growth.

The IC Business Pitch Competition is the Sunshine Coast’s premiere business event that works with new businesses to test their concept and models, and with growing businesses to help them access investment and finance.

Ann and Jeff Ross, Directors of Hive Haven impressed the ‘Dragon’s Den’ style judging panel with their innovative bee hive designs to take out the first prize in the Concept Category. The hives are constructed of recycled plastic and include new design features that deter bee-killing diseases, beetles and mites.

Their prize package includes $1000 for the development of the business, as well as bookkeeping services, financial consultations, legal consultations, website 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.

Virtual reality headset developers Phenomecwere named as the runner up in the Concept Category.

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. Mr Paddenburg said that Ms Moroz’s pitch clearly outlined an investment opportunity – a scalable business with innovative intellectual property and a serious opportunity for a profitable exit – that would be hugely attractive to many large investors.

As the Investment Category winner, Nano-Nouvellewon consultations with Brisbane Angels and Unlimited Investments Group, an accommodation package to assist in business travels, and IC Membership.

They also had the opportunity to pitch in front of real investors from Australia and abroad, including two Venture Capital investors from Silicon Valley in the US. Mr Paddenburg was thrilled with the quality of the applicants in this year’s competition.

“We heard pitches from a wide range of industries, from pillow manufacturers to software platform developers, all of whom are developing innovative models with great potential,” said Mr Paddenburg.

“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.”

The IC Business Pitch Competition 2014 was generously 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.