In summary

  • Out of over 100 applicants, five startup teams have qualified for the Swinburne Accelerator Program representing the Swinburne staff, student and alumni 
  • The startups’ products include an app to build student engagement, a wearable for people with low vision and hand-eye coordination disorders, and a notetaking app for audio book and podcasts
  • Each of the teams receives $25,000 in equity-free funding to grow their venture

The Swinburne Accelerator Program has welcomed five startups to their 2021 cohort.  

Run by the Swinburne Innovation Precinct, the Accelerator Program was launched in 2019 to help founders find their product-market fit and scale their ventures.  

This year’s teams were selected out of nearly 100 applications - a record high for the flagship program.

The 12-week intensive is designed for startups with a customer-ready product, or those seeking to grow quickly and find experienced mentors and facilitators to guide their next steps.

All participants will receive intensive coaching from world-class mentors, private masterclasses run by leading entrepreneurs, free accounting and legal services, access to the co-working spaces at the Innovation Precinct and $25,000 in equity-free funding. 

‘We’re excited to welcome these innovative startups on board and to support them in their founder journey,’ said Lisian Teh, Director of Commercial Innovation Programs at the Swinburne Innovation Precinct. 

‘From promoting safer driving among novice drivers to reducing fatigue-related workplace risks, there’s a huge focus on social impact in this year’s cohort, reflecting the Swinburne community’s drive to bring positive change in our society.’

Without further ado, meet your new startups: 

Dreamers

Dreamers uses the latest science to quantify the risks that fatigue poses to a workforce, and provides tools for employers and workers to reduce these risks.

Team: Pol Gurri and James Esdaile, Astrophysics PhD students at Swinburne, as well as Lucia Ladron de Gueva.

Dreamers Introduction

Unilinq

Unilinq helps universities to build student engagement. Through a mobile application, students can connect with like-minded peers via mutual courses and social activities.

Team: Nikita Shetty, Swinburne alumnus.

Unilinq Introduction

CueSleeve

CueSleeve is a wearable, take-home training and rehabilitation feedback device that provides arm guidance cues for people with low vision and hand-eye coordination disorders.  

Team: Dr Chris McCarthy, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Swinburne and Deepa Prabhu, Biomedical Engineering PhD student at Swinburne.

CueSleeve Introduction

AudioPin

AudioPin is a notetaking app that records and transcribes audio snippets from podcasts and audiobooks. Create bookmarks and additional notes with voice commands without having to interrupt your workflow.

Team: Humphrey Obie, Swinburne alumni, as well as Godbless Gbenebichie and Knowledge Agare.

AudioPin Introduction

Empowr

Empowr helps novice drivers to develop positive driving behaviours so they can be the safest drivers from the start of their journey. 

Team: Tristan King, recent Swinburne student, and Jerome Carslake.

Empowr Introduction

The Accelerator Program runs until 19 August.  

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