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Creatives to pitch to win $125,000 biz prize at Creative3

21 October 2011 Investment National

 

Seven aspiring creatives have been selected to pitch their business ideas to a panel of experts at the 2011 Creative3 Investment Marketplace next week for their chance to win a $125,000 valued business package.

The finalists announced include up and coming creative businesses from Queensland and New South Wales. They are Brisbane-based businesses: digital products and services firm to the arts Ortelia Interactive Spaces Pty Ltd; game developer Defiant Development; film-maker Virgo Productions and video technology business FlickDesk  along with the NSW-based businesses:  online video hub ScreenZone , on-line jewellery design business StyleRocks and edutainment technology developer WizzyBoard.

The Creative3 Investment Marketplace to be held on 28 October is part of the three-day Creative3 Forum which brings together some of the world’s leading creative enterprise minds to focus on the interplay between creativity, investment and enterprise to build a successful business.

The Creative3 Investment Marketplace is exclusive to Australian creative entrepreneurs and start-ups, and offers the winner the opportunity to kick-start their creative idea into commercial reality.

Announcing the finalists today, host of Creative3, QUT’s Creative Enterprise Australia Chief Executive Officer, Anna Rooke said the marketplace was hotly contested.

“This is only our second year of running the Investment Marketplace,” Ms Rooke said. “This year we had over 40 high-quality applicants who submitted multi-media and written pitches from across Australia which the seven finalists were selected. This follows our national workshop series to connect creatives with investors which attracted over 120 businesses earlier in the year.

“Securing investment is a major challenge for emerging creatives with only limited support and business development previously offered in this area,” Ms Rooke said.

“The Creative3 Investment Marketplace offers a chance for creatives to showcase their business concepts with the potential to win the $125,000 valued business package of investment, key services and support to fast-track their business growth. The support from our partners has been fantastic in backing this amazing prize.

“We have a cross-section of creative industries from design, film, new media and technology vying for the $125,000 valued creative business prize. 

“Even though there can only be one winner, all finalists gain invaluable advice from the internationally recognised panel members and ‘real world’ experience in the art of securing investment,” she said.

The start-ups will face an experienced and expert business and investment panel comprising: Michael Smellie (Chairman QUT Creative Enterprise Australia); Brian Richards (BDO); Caroline Hamilton (Icebreaker Management Services) and Margaret Manning (The Reading Room).
 
Ms Rooke said the session also offered benefits to creative businesses attending as delegates.

“For delegates attending the Investment Marketplace, the session offers a rare chance to be a fly on the wall during what most creatives find a daunting experience of ‘selling’ their business and concept to attract investment,” Ms Rooke said. “Delegates can witness effective presentations, learn valuable tips from the expert panel and hear the latest business ideas and concepts from some of Australia’s brightest creative talent.”

The winner of Creative3 Investment Marketplace 2010, Gretha Oost of Half a Teaspoon, said her win boosted her business success.

 “Like many new creative businesses, we put in maximum effort with minimum resources. Winning the Creative3 Investment Marketplace gave us the chance to work with some of Australia’s leading experts in the fields of finance, law and communications and their advice has opened many new doors for Half a Teaspoon,” she said.

“Being a part of the Creative3 Investment Marketplace increased our confidence in what we do and inspired us to create even better products. After winning, we refocused our marketing strategy and now one year on, we’ve successfully launched 321 Water.”

The Creative3 Investment Marketplace is held on Friday 28 October at QUT Gardens Theatre - the final day of the Creative3 International Forum.

Update

Creative enterprise WizzyBoard won the QUT Creative Enterprise Australia’s Creative3 Investment Marketplace and was awarded the business package prize to help turn the idea into commercial reality.