Are you someone that’s been sitting on the ‘next big idea’ for what seems like forever? Now is your time to shine.
Thousands of regionally-based Australian innovators and small business owners now have the chance to win a share of $100,000 in prizes with applications opening for the Australia Post Regional Pitchfest.
What is Pitchfest?
Pitchfest’s aim is to unearth the next big business idea to come out of regional and rural Australia by providing a platform for them to pitch their business or idea to a live audience and expert panel; combined with a program of workshops, mentoring, prizes and promotion.
Rebecca Burrows, Australia Post General Manager Small Business, said “eCommerce is providing the opportunity for any Australian entrepreneur and small business, no matter where they are located, to reach customers globally. We’re genuinely committed to helping all small businesses thrive, wherever they are. We know there are amazing innovators throughout regional Australia, which is why we are launching the Australia Post Regional Pitchfest. I can’t wait to meet all the entrepreneurs and business owners in regional Australia and work with them to help their small businesses become the business they want to be."
How can I enter and when?
Applications are now open until Friday 28 April at www.regionalpitchfest.com
State and Territory finals will be held throughout June and July, before heading to the national final in Wagga Wagga in August.
Preparing finalists with workshops and mentoring - before pitching their big idea on stage to an expert panel of judges and a public audience - the Australia Post Regional Pitchfest is designed to realise the potential and celebrate the success of Australia’s rural and regional entrepreneurs, artisans and small businesses.
What is up for grabs?
State
Prizes for each state final of the Australia Post Regional Pitchfest:
- The overall winner will receive $5000
- The runner up will receive $3500
- There will also be a $1500 Community
- Choice Award, which will be voted by the audience.
National
Prizes for the national final of the Australia Post Regional Pitchfest:
- The overall winner will receive $7500 + MAP Silicon Valley Trip + Australia Post eCommerce Business Growth Pack
- The runner up will receive $5000
- There will also be a $3000 Community Choice Award, which will be voted by the audience.
Regional Pitchfest Founder Dianna Somerville said: “Last year I set out to help one regional community – my home town of Wagga Wagga – by giving them a platform to launch their great and innovative ideas. I keep pinching myself every day that just eight months later, thanks to the incredible support of Australia Post, people from all regional communities across Australia will now get this same amazing opportunity.”
Am I eligible?
If you are unsure if your area is eligible, find out by clicking the image below and entering your postcode. Entries close 5pm AEST Friday 28 April 2017.
Partnering with Regional Pitchfest, the University of Melbourne’s Melbourne Accelerator Program and a rapidly growing number of local councils, business organisations and startup communities, Australia Post is working to build a culture of entrepreneurship in regional and rural communities.
Regional Australia is already big business. Approximately 30% of the Australian population lives outside major cities and accounts for 75% of the nation’s national export earnings.
“Australia Post Regional Pitchfest is all about unearthing the next big business idea from regional Australia. The first ever winner was a 13-year-old high school student, so it’s OK if your idea is not yet a business and you don’t need an MBA to enter – just a great idea and the ability to sell it!” said Mrs Burrows.
If you want to be part of the live audience and support the ‘pitchers’ at your local Australia Post Regional Pitchfest event go to www.regionalpitchfest.com for more information on how to purchase tickets.
