Optus has announced the five start-up finalists who will take part in the 2022 Future Makers program. Now in its sixth year, the program aims to provide start-ups with the tools they need to kickstart or grow their for-purpose business.
The 2022 Future Makers finalists are:
- Charopy (Martin Collings, NSW) – addresses the problem of out-of-home contaminated recycling bin contents going to landfill through its innovative bin that has a special lock that only unlocks for eligible items.
- My Family Unit (Sarah Conron, VIC) – a dynamic therapeutic intervention that provides organisations a way to help working mothers lighten the ‘motherload’ and increase their well-being and workforce participation.
- Indie (Danielle Owen Whitford, NSW) – a bot that uses linguistic analysis and psychology to improve workplace mental health and wellbeing in a simple, non-disruptive way.
- SilVR Adventures (Colin Pudsey, VIC) – looks towards eradicating loneliness and isolation among older adults through meaningful and shared virtual reality experiences, that stimulate memories to create connections and joy.
- STEM Punks TV (Fiona Holmstrom, QLD) – a world-first online streaming platform for STEM Education aimed at primary and high school students to ensure equity and equality in education worldwide.
The finalists were chosen for having developed an innovative technology solution that addresses challenges for disadvantaged or vulnerable people in the categories of connected health and wellbeing, environmental sustainability and supporting vulnerable communities. They were selected by a panel of judges which included both senior leaders from Optus and experts from the social enterprise and impact investment sector.
“Technology is the great enabler and will continue to play a crucial role in meeting and overcoming both the environmental and social challenges facing our communities, and more specifically those in our communities who are disadvantaged and vulnerable,” Helen Maisano, Director for Group Sustainability at Optus, said.
“I want to congratulate our finalists, we are thrilled to be working with them,” Maisano added. “Optus is committed to supporting innovation and Australian start-ups as we continue to commit our resources and guidance to our future makers.”
This year’s Future Makers will take part in a three-month program consisting of in-person workshops and webinars. Participants will also receive coaching from top talent and leaders at Optus and receive technology guidance and insights from industry experts. At the completion of the program, each finalist will have access to a share of $200,000 in grant funding to help scale their solution.
There will be a pitch night that will be held at the end of the program at which the Future Makers will have the opportunity to pitch for funding to a wider audience.
