After announcing new program partners earlier in the year, and following a rigorous two-phase recruitment process spread over many months, six local startups have made it to the final phase of this year’s Plus Eight accelerator program.
These six will receive seed-funding (usually around $50,000 each) as well as further mentoring and support leading up to the Demo Day in December.
To date, the Plus Eight program has invested $1.48M in WA startups over the past five years, and graduating startups have received $10M in follow-on investments, creating an $81M portfolio valuation.
Alumni include The Uno Group, uDrew, SpacetoCo and Hey Lady. Former Plus Eight entrepreneur in residence Tim Brewer has now founded his own successful startup, Functionly.
New partner Woodside has been a keen participant in this year’s program.
It’s been exciting getting to know all of the cohort startups from such diverse industries and backgrounds. I was joined by mentors from Woodside’s Digital, New Energy, and Robotics teams and we all learned a lot about the emerging consumer trends that these businesses are looking to address.
Rob Afflecks, Innovation Engagement Manager, Woodside Energy
“Corporate Venturing is a key tool for us as Woodside responds to the energy transition and other opportunities in technology and innovation. Startups are a great source of new ideas and can move nimbly into new trends and markets. We benefit from that mindset and from supporting their success.”
The Six
Companies receiving funding in 2021 are Snackr, The Tooth Market, Tender Relief, Ready Team One, IDEA Academy, and WOLFit BOX.
Contributing to solutions for the future of work, Snackr are reinventing the experience for attendees at live events, and have recently secured partnerships with Blundstone Arena, Banana Social and The Block Party in Fremantle.
Ready Team One is developing the latest interactive Virtual Reality (VR) technologies to make entertainment and training engaging, and IDEA Academy is working with young innovators, entrepreneurs and creatives to assist in the full flywheel effect.
Tender Relief are helping small businesses create and submit better tenders as they work with government to provide long-term solutions instead of one off investments. The Tooth Market are revolutionising dentistry with their interactive dental diagnosis platform, and WOLFit BOX has created a delivery service for healthy, human-grade meal plans made especially for your dog.
“The Plus Eight final cohort this year are all building inspiring companies and addressing real societal issues around education, health, human connection, purpose and more. These founders are finding new ways to look at old problems, many of which have been magnified through the pandemic, and it is exciting to be a part of their journey to see their ideas come to fruition in a way that will positively impact the broader community both now and into the future.”
Kylie Gerrard, Plus Eight Program Lead
