uSpark

02/12/2021

uSpark is proud to introduce JourneyHub. Last year, we developed the JourneyHub application in-house and since then, it has generated a new company – Journeyhub Pty Ltd.

JourneyHub is a SMART spaces solution built to manage and protect your flexible future workplace. Its first functionality is a mobile app for touchless elevator calling, enabling hygienic, faster and secure lift journey throughout workplaces and residential buildings.

The JourneyHub Team also develops tailored PropTech solutions for specific needs. We are excited to work side by side with them to continue expanding market traction for JourneyHub.

To learn more about JourneyHub click here: https://journeyhub.com.au/

JourneyHub is a mobile app for touchless elevator calling that enables frictionless elevator experiences throughout commercial and residential spaces.

25/11/2021

With the lifting of restrictions, contact tracing has become an essential part of preventing the further spread of Covid in communities. Melbourne startup Wavin Technologies aims to make this process easier for everyone. Using NFC technology, Wavin has introduced the ‘wave-and-go’ check-in method.

Wavin Technologies is evidence of how important it is to support start-up innovation, as it plays a significant role in helping us adapt to the post-pandemic world.

To learn more about Wavin Technologies, visit their website here: https://getwavin.com/ or read more about them here: https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/business/technology/wavin-takes-on-qr-codes-with-waveandgo-venue-checkin/news-story/0ba847b11897cc6f51a876a30b38a913

Hello and welcome to The Download, The Australians technology blog for the latest tech news.

21/11/2021

uSpark’s first Demo Day was held on Thursday 28 October. Thank you to all participants from the start-up ecosystem, Unico and uSpark team members for supporting the event and making it a success.

We heard presentations on innovative products from 7 mentorees in the uSpark Destination Start-Up Mentoree Program 2021:

Josh Marsden - Applied Mental Health Leadership
Dylan Kendall and Sonja Hedenstroem - Zirkarta
Sally Wood - Nourri
Brendan Murphy - willHQ.com
Trav Roebuck - Dubstream
Adam Valastro – Travelling Tradies

These have attracted a mass of interest in uSpark.

To find out more about our 2021 mentorees and our 2022 program, contact Pamela Wilson at [email protected]

10/11/2021

Recently, Roland Thomas was appointed as the new CEO of uSpark.

We are proud to welcome Roland on board as he takes the lead on the strategic direction, growth and management of uSpark.

uSpark Chair, John Rowland said “Roland has been a member of the uSpark board since its inception and I am excited for him to transition into the role of CEO of uSpark. He has a wealth of experience within both the technology industry and start up space and will be an invaluable asset. I look forward to watching the business develop and grow under his leadership”.

Read more about Roland here: https://www.uspark.com.au/about-us

25/10/2021

The uSpark Demo Day will be held on 28 October 2021, 11am-1.30pm. You will hear from John Rowland, the Chair of the uSpark Board and Managing Director of Unico and Roland Thomas, the CEO of uSpark who will provide a brief overview uSpark's history and introduce the uSpark program, staff and 2021 mentorees.

Our 2021 mentorees:
Trav Roebuck founder of Dubstream
Josh Marsden founder of Applied Mental Health Leadership
Adam Valastro founder of Travelling Tradies
Sally Wood founder of Nourri
Dylan Kendall and Sonja Hedenstroem founder of Zirkarta
Brendan Murphy founder of willHQ.com
Will then demonstrate and pitch their products and take questions from guests in attendance.

Register to attend the event for free by clicking here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/usparks-demo-day-tickets-190768402427

20/10/2021

The applications for our Destination Start-up Partner Program closed on October 15. Thanks to everyone who submitted an application. Thanks also to our team, media friends and fellow accelerators who have helped spread the word. We are currently in the process of assessing applications. Be sure to watch this space for more updates.

Meanwhile, if you’re interested to hear more about uSpark, you can register to attend the uSpark Demo Day on October 28. Click here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/usparks-demo-day-tickets-190768402427 to get more details about the event and to register.

11/10/2021

The application deadline for our Destination Start-up Program is fast approaching soon on 15 October 2021. Express your interest NOW in being selected to get technical services worth up to $2 million by clicking this link: https://www.uspark.com.au/destination-startup-application

You can read more about our program here: https://insidesmallbusiness.com.au/finance/funding/2-million-accelerator-program-for-tech-start-ups-launched

The Destination Start-Up Partner Program is an accelerator offering financial help and tech expertise to start-ups struggling to scale up.

04/10/2021

In a recent report of The Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering, the importance of supporting emerging digital tech innovation in Australia has been highlighted once again. Australia is still lagging behind other countries in this sector. The report makes key recommendations to government and industry:

1. Elevate emerging digital technologies as a national science and innovation priority
2. Include research and innovation in emerging digital technologies in the 2021 Research Infrastructure Roadmap
3. Recognise emerging digital technologies as an independent growth sector.

To read what Australian startup founders have to say about this issue, read Startup Daily's article here: https://www.startupdaily.net/2021/09/startup-founders-react-to-a-new-report-saying-australia-is-lagging-key-nations-on-tech-innovation/

To read ‘Australia’s digital future’ full report click here: https://www.science.org.au/support/analysis/decadal-plans/ics/preparing-australias-digital-future

At uSpark, we continue to support the innovation sector by investing up to $2million of our technical services and mentoring in start-ups across Australia.

A new report into Australia’s digital future, released with week found that the nation is falling behind the US, UK, Canada, France and China when it comes to tech innovation. The analysis by the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering results in the ...

28/09/2021

A reminder - the application deadline for our Destination Start-up Partner Program is approaching soon on 15 October 2021. Our last two Introductory Workshops will be held on 30 September, 12-1pm and 11 October, 5-6pm. You can register to attend here https://lnkd.in/g-ZS_F7x

16/09/2021

Shoutout to our friends at Ignition Lane. Thank You for including us in your Weekly Wrap last week which also appeared on the Startup Daily https://bit.ly/3hDjeds

We highly recommend signing up to Ignition Lane’s Weekly Wrap for a fresh and sharp take on the latest happenings around the start-up ecosystem. Click here to subscribe for free: https://ignitionlane.substack.com/

Welcome to Ignition Lane’s Weekly Wrap, where they cut through the noise to bring you their favourite insights from the technology and startup world. Ignition Lane works with ambitious business leaders to apply the Startup Mindset to their technology, product and commercialisation problems. This w...

06/09/2021

Besides technical services investment, our Partner Program offers other benefits, such as space to work in our office at central Melbourne, expert mentoring and access to a diverse range of expertise and connections. To read more about what makes us a unique accelerator, click here: https://bit.ly/3yDLkL9

If you are interested to chat with the uSpark Team about your product and how your start-up can qualify for technical services worth up to $2million, register for one of our Introductory Workshops at this link: https://bit.ly/3mXe2od

01/09/2021

We have officially opened our Destination Start-Up Partner Program for applications today. Our program is sector agnostic and open to all founders who are citizens and permanent residents of Australia. We provide an investment of up to $2 million of technical services in selected start-ups in return for a negotiated equity stake.

To make an application, please submit your Expression of Interest here https://bit.ly/3zxyG1O and we will email you a link to our application form. You can learn more about the uSpark Program on our website https://bit.ly/38vAxs0 and by registering to attend one of our introductory workshops https://bit.ly/38u0vvR .