Sustainable startups invited to pitch ideas

A new event will give sustainable startups in the Surf Coast, Geelong and Bellarine regions a platform to pitch their ideas to potential investors.

Ripple Surf Coast will bring startups, investors and local businesses together in Torquay on September 3 for the inaugural Surf Coast Sustainable Startup Pitch Party which is part of the Geelong Small Business Festival.

Selected startups will pitch in front of a live audience and notable selection panel including Rachel Yang from Giant Leap, Andrew Davies from B Lab, Simon Loone from Surf Coast Shire council and Nick Crocker from Blackbird Ventures.

Mr Crocker said Ripple Surf Coast aimed to bring purpose-led, community-minded, and sustainability-oriented businesses to the Surf Coast.

“In this evolving world and particularly in 2021, we have been reminded that sustainability-based businesses need to become the business-as-usual model,” Mr Crocker said.

“Ripple Surf Coast plans to help the Surf Coast business community on that journey to make the Surf Coast a globally renowned sustainability centre.”

Ripple Surf Coast launched during the 2020 lockdown with the aim of creating and executing impact events in the Surf Coast region and beyond.

Its committee consists of representatives from a combination of locally based certified B Corporations including Patagonia, Bellroy, Cherished Pets and Happy Spaces, as well as local businesses Merton Lawyers, Two Sparrow, SJ Coaching, Happy Souls by Jacintha and Madame Dahlia.

“We plan to help the Surf Coast business community on that journey to make the Surf Coast a globally renowned sustainability centre. One event at a time,” said Bellroy’s Rich Bolus, who is co-chair of Ripple Surf Coast education and membership.

Fellow co-chair and Patagonia finance manager Corinne Marriner said the committee planned to hold events, including breakfast networking and four major events, during the next 12 months.

“The idea behind the committee is to provide support and education within our community on what our beautiful area has to offer with businesses that are sustainable,” she said.

The Surf Coast Sustainable Startup Pitch Party is the second event for Ripple Surf Coast since its inception, with its successful launch event ‘Business as a force for good – what is a B Corp?’ hosting more than 80 people at Bells Beach Brewery in April.

The pitch party will be held from 5pm to 9pm on Friday, September 3 at Happy Spaces, 4-6 Gilbert Street, Torquay.

Applicants wanting to apply to pitch should search ‘Surf Coast Sustainable Pitch Party’ on eventbrite.com.au and click ‘Startup Application Registration’.

Interested members of the community are welcome to attend, with early-bird tickets now available.

Numbers will be limited in line with current COVID-19 restrictions.