THE latest group of entrepreneurs in the Runway Incubator program have showcased their start-up businesses at the Geelong Arts Centre.<\/p>\n
Three of the up-and-coming enterprises have come from Ballarat-based people seeking to solve problems in the manufacturing or real estate sectors, and for parents.<\/p>\n
Media and health technology professional Annie Fox is a member of the 2023 group and has been developing her app called oonaa.<\/p>\n
\u201cAcross my career, I\u2019ve been interested in understanding why we don\u2019t talk to each other as well as we could, and it all comes back to the home,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s only getting harder to communicate complicated topics, so oonaa is a tool to help parents prepare for conversations with their children, from Santa Claus and healthy eating to self-harm, suicide and consent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Fox said she\u2019s been \u201cfloored\u201d by how many local people have wanted to share their stories with her when they\u2019ve discovered oonaa.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat reflects so beautifully of the community we live in,\u201d she said. \u201cThere are parents here that want to do better and who are open to sharing their story.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody is so supportive of other businesses and endeavours in the community. That energy makes a huge difference, and I don\u2019t want to be doing this anywhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n
QuantPS founder Jim Nicol has developed an artificial intelligence platform aiming to generate property and location-specific real estate agent recommendations to help those buying, renting, owning, and selling.<\/p>\n
\u201cStart-ups can come undone without a plan from point A to point B, but the structure Runway provides gives start-ups like mine a really strong base,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got lots from the connections. Net worth is, in a large part, determined by networks and this expanded mine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sam Dekok has founded Ballarat 3D Proto Services in response to supply chain shortages, which is a radio prototyping and contract manufacturing start-up.<\/p>\n
Ms Fox said there\u2019s a misconception that regional Victoria isn\u2019t an innovative hub.<\/p>\n
\u201cNowhere is the centre of innovation. Ballarat is unique and there is so much happening here,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Mr Nicol suggested the funding backers of Runway could improve the program by investing in the start-ups as well.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE latest group of entrepreneurs in the Runway Incubator program have showcased their start-up businesses at the Geelong Arts Centre. Three of the up-and-coming enterprises have come from Ballarat-based people seeking to solve problems in the manufacturing or real estate sectors, and for parents. Media and health technology professional Annie Fox is a member of […]<\/p>\n