The Territory’s best and brightest ideas have been put to the test during the inaugural Croc Pitch event.
Over the course of the day around 30 entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs pitched their innovation and business ideas, but it was Darwin based business SolFlow who came out on top.
SolFlow specialise in the development of Solar PV Direct technology, products and solutions for home and business.
SolFlow’s technology draws upon solar power when the sun is shining, then transitions to mains power when it’s cloudy or at night saving you money off your energy bill.
Owner Keith Jury moved to the Territory from Adelaide six years ago to start his business.
“I decided to come to Darwin, the harshest climate testing ground that we can possibly offer, if our technology can survive Darwin, it can survive anywhere,” he said.
The $100,000 first prize, which includes a $50,000 Northern Territory Government Business Innovation Supports Initiatives (BISI) grant will go towards development of their pool pump system, which includes an inbuilt chlorinator and automatic backwash system controlled by an app.
Keith will now go on to pitch his idea at StartCons National Pitch Competition for a chance at a $1 million investment.
Second place was awarded to Amy Page with Belly Bunker, an inflatable pregnancy bed with a belly hole which embraces pregnant mother and protects the baby.
Third place was awarded to Mobi a ride sharing app that will allow people heading in the same direction the ability to connect with each other.
Croc Pitch is part of October Business Month’s Innovation Week, which includes workshops, events and activities designed to unlock innovative thinking and grow our entrepreneurial talent.
The Northern Territory Government’s Business Innovation Strategy was also launched as part of Innovation Week.
Innovation is a key lever to accelerate economic growth, driving Territory businesses to be more competitive, profitable and sustainable.
The strategy aims to ignite, inspire and intensify a culture of innovation among Territory businesses.
Some of the key actions from the strategy that are already underway include:
- the world-class Business Acceleration Program
- an Innovator in Residence program to provide Territory innovators and businesses access to expert mentoring
- BISI grants - helping businesses undertake research and development which could lead to new products, processes or services
- a bigger and better Innovation Week to inspire innovative thinking.
View the strategy.