Brisbane accelerator cohort for 2017

 16 October 2017

River City Labs Announces 10 teams accepted into the BNE3 Accelerator cohort for 2017

River City Labs Accelerator powered by muru-D saw 136 companies apply to be a part of a selection process to earn a spot in the coveted six month program. 16 finalist teams participated in a rigorous two day intense boot-camp designed to put the companies through their paces, allowing evaluators and mentors to understand how the teams work under pressure and to assess idea viability and founder resilience.

The final selection was made by an independent panel of technology executives, funding experts and successful entrepreneurs. The companies were selected based on the strength of their team, product and global scaleability – plus a passion for success.

The program provides each startup with $60,000 seed capital along with six months membership at RCL, business development support and introductions to global mentors, customers and investors. Backed by Telstra and Seven West Media, muru-D will also assist in unlocking Telstra’s extensive network of partners, suppliers and customers.
General Manager of Seven Brisbane Ben Robert - Smith said “It is exciting to see the quality of the applicants accepted into this year’s accelerator program and this year’s cohort will most certainly add to the growing reputation of the River City Labs concept. Each of the start-up businesses accepted into this year’s program bring a unique and passionate approach to bettering our daily lives and solving global issues. SWM is proud to support such inspirational innovation”.

The teams will start at RiverCityLabs on Monday 16th October, 2017 and will work towards a Demo day in May 2018 in line with the Myriad Festival.
The BNE3 cohort boasts four teams led by female founders / co- founders and along with the rest of the teams they will benefit from the exposure to global networks, investor introductions and immersion into the Startup Culture of Silicon Valley with an International trip in the second month of the program.

River City Labs CEO Peta Ellis Said “ The diversity of the teams is impressive, along with the variety of industries they are solving problems for. We have an amazing mix of teams, ideas and founders with really different backgrounds so the strength of the group will be quite outstanding. It was a tough call deciding on the top 10 yet we are confident the team's chosen are going to make the most of the opportunity and get the most value from the program and network we provide.”

From managing family logistics after a divorce to games to help rehabilitate the hearing impaired the cohort has a varied range of businesses solving complex problems.

Head of muru-D Julie Trell said “It’s inspiring to see so much diversity across all the muru-D cohorts including Brisbane. The teams bring a wealth of experience and knowledge and I’m certain they will gain incredible insight from one another as well as the mentors and team to support them during the next 6 months and beyond.”

The 10 teams forming the BNE3 cohort for the RCL Accelerator powered by muru-D are:
1. Bidhive
A bid management platform supporting organisations’ ability to procure opportunities, manage access and assemble corporate knowledge and bid content

2 .  Carisma
Solving the communication hassle between auto vehicle owners and their mechanics, Carisma is a tool designed to build your car's visual service history. You'll see where your dollars are going through a visual log of the repair or service appointment.

3 . Creatively Squared
Connecting global brands with visual content creators. Creatively squared provides brands with affordable and customised content by connecting them with people that do it best.

4. Divvito
A shared parenting solution app like no other, Divvito allows the transitioning of separation and divorce to take place in a manageable process. The app allows parents to keep track of shared expenses and school events. Divvito is 'here to take the messy out of moving on'

5. Flyfreely
In a world where the RPAS industry can be complicated, Flyfreely is designed to streamline the end – to-end risk management for your entire drone operation. Delivering on-demand insurance and risk mitigation strategies using a web portal and a smartphone app.

6. Games 4 Hearoes
Designed to enhance and assist in rehabilitation for the hearing impaired. Games 4 Hearoes allows its users to rehabilitate through interactive auditory training.

7 . Kapiche
Some of the best companies ( CUA and Nissan ) use Kapiche when it comes to data analysis from unstructured data. Drawing information from online reviews and social media into a readily understood format.

8 . Math Mate
Developed by university students and tutors, Math Mate 9 helps students understand, deliver and create mistake free assignments faster.

9. Tyrestock
Solving the time consuming dilemmas of fitting tyres, Tyrestock offers tyre fitters a purchasing system to gather the stock of multiple suppliers with the assurance of buying at the right price.

10. Vygo
With an increasing dropout rate among university students, Vygo connects students with peers who have 'been there, and done that' when it comes to understanding the course structure, subjects and assignments.