The University of New South Wales has announced 8 winners of this week’s UNSW Founders Awards, which recognize founders, start-ups and mentors for their outstanding contribution to the innovation and start-up ecosystem.
Virtual career platform Fodder has been named Startup of the Year, while Giveable founder Francis Atkins has been named Founder of the Year.
Including the event presented by the Ivy Ballroom, it attracted more than 300 guests Dr Wong Fong Fui, whose donation enabled the establishment of UNSW’s flagship 10x Accelerator.
Dimitri Tran, founder of Harrison.ai, delivered the keynote address, noting that among its major investors – the medtech startup has raised around $160,000 in VC funding – many have strong ongoing ties to UNSW.
UNSW Founders Director of Entrepreneurship, David Burt said, “As the university’s startup ecosystem continues to grow, it is time to celebrate those who have made the greatest contribution to its success.”
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for UNSW to be named. Australia’s most entrepreneurial universityTo recognize the hard work, commitment and excellence of UNSW’s born startups, founders and mentors,” he said.
“The awards are further confirmation of the critical role the winners play in delivering benefits to the Australian economy now and into the future.
Ahead of the awards, UNSW invested $320,000 in seed funding, along with teaching and tailored support for 18 startups in health, synthetic biology and other industries, as part of its annual 10x Demo Day.
But he said this year’s team was the most successful in UNSW’s history. Silo, It recently raised $5 million in its mid-seed program.
“In just five years, 80 Fast portfolio companies have raised more than 89 million dollars and the total value is 350 million dollars,” he said.
One such company, Forage – which helps 500 companies train students before hiring them – took out the UNSW Founders of the Year award.
Indonesian-born founder Pasha Raya began his entrepreneurial journey as a student at UNSW. Although Raya is now internationally successful, every year he finds time to return to UNSW’s Michael Crouch Innovation Center to teach, train and mentor emerging founders.
“We were fortunate when we founded Fodder in the early days to join the Funders 10x program,” said Raya, CTO of Fodder.
“And it’s in that program that we really understand being a high-impact business and dreaming a little bigger. We’ve raised over $50 million from Silicon Valley and the world’s best venture capitalists, and we’re starting to see some of the seeds we planted in social impact really start to bear fruit.”
Full list of winners:
Beginning of the year: fodder, A virtual job simulation platform for talent produced by the world’s largest companies.
Founder of the Year: Frances Atkins – Co-founder which can be given Helping businesses meet their sustainability and ESG targets faster.
Mentor of the Year: Leah Frickeb SMaking founders compassionate, talented, humble, passionate, rational, and strong enough to focus and succeed.
Best New Idea: Nanoscale PharmaceuticsIt offers PageAerosolized drug delivery at the right time in the right dose.
Study Result Award: firstwhich one He created a material that can change the film to increase food productivity
Positive impact award 4 eye sight; Eyewear is working on the ground in underserved communities to make improved eyesight accessible to all.
Health Innovation Award, George presented in collaboration with the World Health Organization: CardioBionic A technology platform that provides multiple mobile devices for heart failure.
People’s Choice Award: JedoodleAn online software programming platform for learning, teaching, hiring and hosting.
Here is the full list of finalists in the UNSW Founders Awards.
* Startup Daily was a sponsor of the UNSW Founders Awards.
