Wagga Wagga coworking space Working Spaces HQ has announced the second cohort taking part in Incubate @ 35 degrees, its regional incubator program.
Spreading across a range of different industries, the five regional businesses selected range from edutech to apparel, sharing platforms, software, and digital healthcare.
Among these is ‘Go Remote’, an online network looking to connect tertiary-educated and experienced women seeking remote part or full time work in regional communities with jobs. Employers are able to post job ads to the platform and are then matched with potential candidates.
Fellow participant ‘SHARE a library of things’, meanwhile, is looking to create an online content sharing platform, while Children Shoes wants to craft quality leather shoes for kids.
Vincent is developing governance and software packages, and Balance Pets is aiming to develop an app focusing on pet wellbeing.
The eight week program will look to guide participants through building a product, overcoming hurdles to success, and marketing. The incubator is scheduled to conclude with a pitch night set on March 27th.
The Incubate at 35 degrees program was created by Simone Eyles, CEO of 365Cups and Working Spaces HQ, and Dianna Somerville, CEO of RGTC Group and Australia Post’s Regional Pitchfest, with the goal of nurturing startups and innovators across regional communities.
The initiative, sponsored by Commonwealth Bank, aims to create 100 functioning startups by 2020 and scale the program beyond Wagga Wagga and across regional Australia.
“We knew the region had an appetite for such a program, but our ecosystem is so immature,” said Eyles.
“We want to grow an ecosystem and encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, create local jobs, and diversify our local economy.”
Last year’s first cohort saw businesses across industries from foodtech to agritech, health and fitness, and social enterprise take part. The program rounded up with a demo night, where the participants had the chance to pitch to a private audience of investors, customers, and collaborators.
Image: Diana Somerville & Simone Eyles. Source: Supplied.
