Appscore’s #WomenInTech Startups & Entrepreneurs Competition
Announcement posted by Appscore Digital 17 Jan 2018
In 2017, only 17% of startups had a female founder. In light of this alarming statistic, a group of women from the Appscore office took to brainstorming ways we can assist female entrepreneurs achieve their goals. The idea eventually grew into reality, and we are now incredibly proud to announce the launch of the very first #WomenInTech competition, an opportunity created by women for women.
Our goal is to empower women with a startup idea or business venture by helping to kickstart their career. This competition will equip the successful applicant with the professional tools and experience needed to pitch to investors and access meaningful capital. It will also provide the successful applicant with the opportunity to form a network of professionals across a variety of disciplines.
By entering the #WomenInTech competition, finalists will be in the running to win an Appscore workshop valued at $30,000. The workshop represents the ultimate kickstart package for entrepreneurs, and will provide the winner with the following:
- Advice from industry insiders who have collectively worked with companies including Samsung, Apple, NAB, ANZ, Medibank, Carsales and Telstra
- Industry insight from Appscore engineers to determine the best technology for the winner’s idea
- A technology roadmap devised by Appscore consultants
- Advice from a design consultant, who will assist the winner with branding and creating a great user experience
- Full-colour interactive prototype designs of up to eight screens for an app or web-based system
- Compiled notes from the workshop to show thought process and analysis
- A statement of work defining project values, risks and outcomes
- A user story summary describing the type of user the app or web-based system is targeted at, what they want and why
- An itemized budget estimate for the startup
These tools are vital to receiving funding, and having them as part of a pitch will allow the successful applicant to walk into any meeting with the ability to lock in investment.
We are thrilled to share that all entries will be judged by a board of industry professionals including Michelle Redfern, Judy Pridmore and Naima Elle. Our judges will narrow down entries to a shortlist of 10, and invite finalists to pitch their ideas to them in person on Thursday, February 22, 2018 in Melbourne, where they will decide on a winner. Entries close on Friday, February 9.
Workshops will take place in April with the exact date to be arranged with the winner.
Further information and details on how to enter the competition can be found at: https://www.appscore.com.au/womenintech/
Dates:
- Friday, February 9: Deadline for registration.
- Wednesday, February 14: Shortlisted finalists notified.
- Thursday, February 22: Finalists pitch to judges in Melbourne.
- Friday, February 23: Winner announced.
About the judges:
Michelle Redfern (Advancing Women in Business & Sport) / michelleredfern.com
Michelle has combined 20 years of executive leadership and sports directorship experience alongside a passion for gender equality to create a unique enterprise to advance women in business and sport. Advancing Women is an advisory practice that assists sporting and for-profit organisations move gender diversity from conversation to action.
Judy Pridmore (Digital Strategist) / judypridmore.com
Judy is a digital and technology industry leader with over 20 years of experience as a C-suite executive and consultant. Judy has a proven track record of building B2C and B2B marketplace startups through driving digital business transformation, and currently runs her own digital consultancy business. She also works as a strategic advisor, coach and mentor to startups and female founders.
Naima Elle (Appscore) / appscore.com.au
Naima’s experience in technology, business management, innovation and development has been wide and varied. She has a sound knowledge of business visioning, establishment, consolidation and expansion, and has worked across national and international markets for BBC Manchester, Sky Brasil and Apple in Melbourne. Now at Appscore, Naima looks after the company’s partnerships with Apple, Telstra, SAP as well as managing new app opportunities.
Media contact: shira.livne@appscore.com.au