What is the value of events like Croc Pitch for the startup ecosystem and to local business communities?
First of all, the cultural development piece where we have more prospective startups, founders coming in and doing their first pitches ever. First pitch won’t be the one that works but you got to do the first one to get to one that works, so having Croc Pitch in the territory here in Darwin gives people the opportunity to participate in this event for essentially the first time.
Of course, it brings the attention of other investors to the territory, so the Paspalis Innovation Investment Fund (PIIF) and Local Job Funds (LJF) co-investment, but again those investments are for early-stage startups, and attracts the attention on further investment creating a virtual circle where our innovators here in the territory have access to increasingly abundant resources, expertise and markets which is fabulous.
Yeah g’day. My name is Zane Shinners. I’m a head of products strategy at Appomate. We’re a one stop solution for all things app development in business, business growth and innovation. We’re here to support all new businesses in & from validation, from first point of contact, all the way through to an exit for a business. So that’s what we’re there to help with.
How do you think events like Croc Pitch contribute to the local business community and startup ecosystem?
Absolutely. What I really think is fantastic is that it actually breeds really great exposure for businesses that might not have an opportunity in front of a lot of people at once. Events like this, networking like this, is super powerful for a business just to get, I guess, their foot in the door to create new pathways and even opportunities they might not have thought of yet, so I think it’s important that people take advantage of these opportunities. This is why we’re here; I’ve come up from Melbourne, Victoria to see, knowing that Darwin’s a sleeper. It’s a bit of a giant, that no one’s really tapped into. So, I really wanna, I guess, put our foot forward into the NT as well.
How do you think Croc Pitch helps to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the region?
I think it’s really important because there’s not a lot of other options in the territory for this kind of thing. So, by having Croc Pitch available in the Territory it creates a really good option. You know, that gives businesses hope that they can you know, grab that capital to help them grow their business and expand into the territory and then you know those flow on effects for the territory are really great.
Croc Pitch 2024
The Darwin Innovation Hub’s 2024 Croc Pitch Contest sponsored by the Paspalis Innovation Investment Fund (PIIF), gathered innovators worldwide on 24th October, pitching for up to $1 million (subject to due diligence) in venture capital investment. Through its hybrid format, this premier competition welcomed local, national, and global participants to pitch their innovations, products, or technologies that could drive positive change in Northern Australia. The contest served as a dynamic platform connecting entrepreneurs with co-investors and partners, all united in advancing Northern Australia’s development and innovation ecosystem.
