The Australian start-up industry is growing with overseas investments totalling over US$555 million last year.
More than 80 start-ups are set to feature ingenious, new-wave technologies on the showfloor at a special Startup Zone at CeBIT Australia in Sydney from May 15-17.
The Startup Zone is a collaboration between CeBIT Australia, the NSW Government, the Australian Computer Society and the Business Centre.
It is the largest startup showcase in Asia-Pacific.
Harvey Stockbridge, Managing Director, Hannover Fairs Australia said the CeBIT StartUp hub would feature a series of presentations on the FutureTech Stage.
IoT, FinTech, AI and Machine Learning, and the start-up industry itself will all be covered by leading industry experts.
"The StartUp Zone will feature three StartUp Co-Working spaces, a new feature for 2018 which allows start-ups the opportunity to meet new potential clients, business partners or investors, network and share ideas, and engage with VCs and angels on the showfloor,” said Mr Stockbridge.
Inspirational sessions
The renowned CeBIT StartUp Conference, to be held on Thursday, May 17 will deliver a series of inspirational sessions, where a host of experts will participate in panel discussions and presentations about the growth, challenges and opportunities for startups.
The StartUp Conference will begin with a presentation by Amadeus on The Sweet Spot – Why Startups Should Target That 21st Business Problem.
Also, three panel discussions will cover key questions of the start-up community:
- Demystifying VC’s – A frank chat about what actually happens at a venture capital firm
- Building a Global Business
- Accelerator / Incubator / Co-working hub “what you need to know” series
Latest tech talent
NSW, the host state of CeBIT Australia, produces 44 percent of the nation’s startups.
The recently opened Sydney Startup Hub in Sydney’s CBD has been a landmark $35 million government investment to ensure the start-up ecosystem continues to thrive.
At CeBIT, the NSW Government will showcase the state’s very latest tech talent leading the future of business.
This includes engineers who merge artificial intelligence and machine learning creating biometric technologies as well as industrial design for hi-tech devices in medical, agriculture, industry and consumer industries.
The NSW Government-backed, Jobs for NSW, will showcase 16 start-ups assisted through its support programs.
Generating jobs
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Small Business John Barilaro said startups were accelerating innovation and generating jobs for the economy.
“In NSW, we’re doing everything we can to create the right environment for people to have the confidence to launch and the support they need to give their start-up the best chance of success.”
CeBIT Australia will again host the highly successful PitchFest contest, featuring 10 startup finalists.
Each will pitch their innovations and technologies to a panel of expert judges in front of an audience of fellow start-ups, investors and potential customers.
Previous winners of CeBIT Australia PitchFest have gone on to become multi-million-dollar, multinational companies.
Winners include the Look Who's Chargingmerchant database which helps Australians easily identify the merchants that charge to our credit cards, NetHealth which provides comprehensive software solutions for the medical industry, and the revolutionary TouchOne Smartwatch Keyboard.
CeBIT Australia’s StartUp conference and PitchFest are free to attend.
CeBIT PitchFest is one of Australia’s premier start-up launch pad platforms. This year’s finalists will be announced in early May.
For more information: www.cebit.com.au/startup-and-pitchfest
