PA2health will compete against the best regional startups in NSW after winning the Young Jobs for NSW Regional Pitchfest – Australia’s largest pitch competition for regional startups.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said PA2health has secured an all-expenses paid trip to a three-day Regional Bootcamp at the Sydney Startup Hub on 12-14 August.
From there, five finalists will be selected to compete for a share of $20,000 in cash and prizes at the NSW State final in Wagga in September.
“Congratulations to PA2health for winning the Young leg of the Regional Pitchfest which is helping to showcase the great entrepreneurial talent that is on offer in our regions,” Ms Cooke said.
“Regional areas including Young are filled with smart innovators whose ideas and drive can help create new jobs and businesses for the future. Events like this help build a growing culture of entrepreneurship in our regional communities.
“Jobs for NSW has also invested $2.1 million in a Local Innovation Network of incubators to help develop businesses in the Coffs Harbour, Armidale, Byron Bay, Bathurst, Newcastle, Wollongong and Wagga regions.”
PA2health cofounder Narelle Hunter from Bribbaree said it was a wonderful experience being a part of the 2019 Regional Pitchfest representing the Hilltops region.
“I am one of five co-founders of PA2health, a digital 4-week challenge designed to improve the mental and physical health of regional Australians,” Mrs Hunter said.
“We’re so grateful to have this opportunity to share our company purpose and meet the other finalists. The PA2health service includes healthy eating, exercise, stress and sleep management, and evidence-based psychological support.”
Regional Pitchfest founder Di Somerville said the winner of the inaugural Regional Pitchfest in 2016 was a 13-year-old high school student, Michael Nixon, who founded educational company Edukits.
“Michael has since grown Edukits into a successful company and The Amazing Annoyatron, an educational kit which teaches kids coding skills, is now being sold in 15 countries around the world,” Mrs Somerville said.
Minister for Jobs Stuart Ayres said the Jobs for NSW Regional Pitchfest was about unearthing the next big business ideas from regional NSW.
“We hope to assist more budding entrepreneurs to grow and eventually take on global markets as a result of this year’s Regional Pitchfest,” Mr Ayres said.
“The NSW Government wants to do everything it can to create the right environment to help startups get established, grow and create jobs. Our state now has almost 49 per cent of Australia’s startup founders up from 41 per cent in 2016.”
