Five would-be entrepreneurs have been selected to progress to the final stage of Nokia’s In Hindsight competition – a nationwide search that will help one up-and-coming Aussie entrepreneur get their business idea off the ground. HerBusiness’s Suzi Dafnis was one of three judges to whom the top five finalists presented their idea and pitched their business concept and viability. Suzi and the other panelists (Chris Carr, managing director Nokia and Jaimie Fuller, CEO of SKINS) spent time providing important feedback and evaluation to the finalists pitches.
The top five were chosen from a shortlist of 100 entries for their original business idea and convincing pitch and are now in the running to win AUD$10,000, a Nokia smartphone and coaching and advice from Jaimie Fuller, CEO of global sportswear clothing company SKINS. It’s now the public’s turn to nominate their favourite business idea. Videos of each entrant can be viewed and voted for on Nokia Australia’s Facebook page. The finalists are:
- FindMeQuick™ is a business idea developed by Nimrod Klayman that uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to help track lost property at school
- My Genius Tutor is an online platform created by Adam Jacobs that connects students with expert tuition in real time
- Open Shed is a peer-to-peer rental website set up by Lisa Fox and Duncan Stewart where Australians can rent each other’s belongings, helping people to live more resourceful and sustainable lives
- Sylvia Lee wants to launch a new self-named fashion label that offers both ready-to-wear women’s clothes and custom-made couture garments
- Uncommon Ground is an idea by Krissy Crawford for an online store that stocks women’s shoes in sizes 9 to 14 targeting fashionable females frustrated with the lack of on-trend larger size shoes
“Each of the finalists was inspiring and represented the average small business owner – full of energy, enthusiasm and a big vision. In the end, we had to decide whose business seemed to be the best thought-out and viable. All had merit and the public will help decide the winner. I encourage you to watch the videos and to vote,” explained Suzi Dafnis.
The winner will be determined by a 30/70 weighting of the public Facebook vote and that of the judging panel. Voting closes on the Facebook page on the 16th November and the winner will be announced shortly after. We wish them all luck as they enter this second part of the competition!
