Twelve standout groups from the Hunter and Central Coast have made it to the ultimate stage of this yr’s I2N accelerator program, together with a number of ventures led by College of Newcastle college students and alumni.
The 2025 cohort is tackling psychological well being breakthroughs, menopause assist, smarter job platforms for worldwide college students, next-gen mortgage tech, foolproof plant care and even courting apps that get individuals off their telephones and into actual life, by founders from a few of the area’s most promising new companies.
I2N started with 30 groups in a 10-week pre-accelerator program, earlier than 20 founders superior to the bootcamp part. Now 12 finalists will now unveil their commercial-ready ventures to the startup ecosystem on the program’s Demo Night time on October 29. Tickets are free however practically offered out, so for those who’re eager, seize one of many previous couple of right here.
This yr’s program coated three streams: Cleantech, Healthtech and All-Industries.
Listed below are the 12 startups concerned:
Cleantech
Power diversions
Benjamin Tonno
Practically 10% of Australia’s inexperienced power is wasted on account of restricted storage choices.
Power Diversions’ PROMETHEUS makes use of compressed air in repurposed mine pits to retailer extra grid power, then generates energy utilizing buoyancy and torque when wanted.
The enterprise is in pilot discussions with Hunter Water and IDEMITSU. Based by Benjamin Tonno, HDR Candidate (PhD Chemical Engineering)
JasperNode
Alex Sharikov
A crucial scarcity of automation programmers is slowing manufacturing innovation.
JasperNode’s AI co-pilot interprets easy English instructions into industrial management code, making programming 45% quicker and accessible to any engineer.
Based by Alex Sharikov and Hong Qiu, the expertise is already validated via real-world initiatives.
Healthtech
EquiEnergy Youth
Paula Rowlett & Stephen Spencer
Suicide is the main reason behind demise for younger Australians aged 15-24, but many adults lack disaster intervention instruments to assist younger individuals.
EquiEnergy Youth’s Coach 2 Cope program gives evidence-based frameworks to assist younger individuals in misery.
Based by Dr Stephen Spencer, Benjamin Payne and Paula Rowlett, the enterprise has skilled greater than 15,000 adults and licensed instruments to 220 organisations, together with NSW Well being.
Dr Spencer is a College alumnus (Bachelor of Nursing 2009).
The Motion Belt
The Motion Belt
Falls trigger probably the most injury-related hospitalisations for Australians over 65.
The Motion Belt is a discreet wearable belt that makes use of tactile and auditory cues to enhance stride size, stability and strolling confidence.
Based by Jonathan Durrheim (pictured, left), early trials present the belt considerably reduces fall threat and enhances independence.
Durrheim is a College alumnus (Bachelor of Physiotherapy – Honours 2017).
MenoMojo
Amy Lombard
Menopausal ladies usually really feel overwhelmed by conflicting well being recommendation and are sometimes dismissed by healthcare professionals.
MenoMojo gives evidence-based coaching plans, skilled teaching and neighborhood assist particularly for ladies in menopause.
Based by Amy Lombard, the platform has greater than 30 paying shoppers and endorsement from main menopause specialists.
Chell
Chelsea Dyer
Shift-workers face larger well being dangers, with fatigue from night time shift work accounting for 23 p.c of office accidents in Australia.
Chell’s digital teaching programs educate staff easy methods to scale back well being dangers, whereas serving to firms scale back claims, increase productiveness and meet WHS compliance.
Based by Chelsea Dyer, Chell has secured shoppers together with Acciona and is partnering with universities on diploma applications.
All-industries
Be aware It
Adam Taylor & David Larkan
Frontline leaders wrestle to doc efficiency, security and wellbeing conversations persistently. Be aware It’s mobile-first app captures significant conversations within the second, turning them into structured documentation.
Based by David Larkan and Adam Taylor, the platform serves clients throughout mining, building, native authorities, logistics and extra.
Larkan is a College alumnus (Bachelor of Commerce 2008).
Joborra
Manav Arora
Worldwide college students face job market boundaries on account of unclear visa eligibility on main platforms.
Joborra is a job platform the place each itemizing is pre-verified to just accept pupil visa holders, eliminating guesswork and selling hiring fairness.
Based by Manav Arora, Joborra has launched its pilot and is matching jobs seekers and employers throughout the area, with expansions deliberate throughout the state.
Arora is a College alumnus (mixed Bachelor of Info Know-how and Bachelor of Enterprise 2024). He’s additionally present employees member with the College’s Digital Know-how Options staff.
OOME
Jean le Roux
Non-bank lenders depend on rigid, outdated mortgage administration software program that creates threat and poor borrower outcomes.
OOME’s scalable SaaS platform manages your complete mortgage lifecycle whereas defending lenders’ aggressive benefit.
Based by Jean le Roux, the platform is deployed in manufacturing with signed contracts and rising buyer curiosity.
PerkyPod
Louise Burr
Incorrect watering is the commonest reason behind houseplant deaths, leaving puzzled plant mother and father with little greater than questions and flooring puddles.
PerkyPod’s patent-pending drainage and filtration system prevents leaks and makes plant care foolproof.
Based by Louise Burr, this Australian-made innovation has generated $50,000 in gross sales and gained a 2024 Good Design Award.
GoBanter
Michael Dunn & Sergii Kozyrev
Relationship apps create fatigue via infinite texting with out actual connections. GoBanter solely works when customers are checked-in at bodily venues, with chats expiring after leaving except an actual meetup happens.
Based on the Central Coast by Michael Dunn and Sergii Kozyrev, the app brings courting again to actual life whereas supporting venues.
PitchCast
Himanshu Rao
Grassroots sports activities golf equipment need reasonably priced dwell streaming, however present choices are costly or unreliable.
PitchCast combines easy scoring with automated overlays and sponsor branding on YouTube streams.
Based on the Central Coast by Himanshu Rao, the platform has been efficiently trialed with native cricket golf equipment and is built-in with Play Cricket, the primary level of contact for neighborhood cricket golf equipment throughout Australia.
Reserve your Demo Night time tickets right here
