Applications Open for Gigstart Fund

Applications Open for Gigstart Fund

Local Dunedin start-up businesses with innovative ideas, using UFB technologies, are being called to apply for the fourth and final round of the GigStart Fund – a $200,000 cash fund given to Dunedin by Chorus and Nokia (formerly Alcatel-Lucent) as part of the city’s Gigatown prize.

The fund, managed by Startup Dunedin, has already allocated $147,000 to eight Dunedin start-ups across a range of projects – from a Gig-powered co-shared office space to a crowd-sourcing platform to cloud-based software programmes, animated learning and new apps.

To be eligible for funding startup businesses must provide:
• A video description of the service concept.
• An outline of the business model that clearly outlines your methodology to build your business.
• A clear description of what UFB technologies the service concept will use.
• An outline of the funding required to deliver the service to market. This should include a detailed breakdown of how the business plans to use the GigStart Fund.

A ‘Pitch Day’ event for the GigStart Fund application finalists will be held in GigCity Dunedin.

Finalists will have a chance to showcase their concepts to the judging panel and the wider GigCity community.

Digital Community Trust Chair John Gallaher encouraged Dunedin start-ups to apply and share in the opportunity for a unique source of funding.

“Winning Gigatown wasn’t just about getting the gig first. The opportunities we’ve had to build
Dunedin’s tech community has been very significant and the GigStart fund is a major part of that.”

Chorus Dunedin Liaison Manager Kim Stewart says the judging panel are looking for an idea that has potential to change the lives of people in Dunedin through a new business or growing an existing business, ultimately creating new jobs. The use of the UFB network should underline this capability.

Applications for the final GigStart funding round close at the end of the month – October 31, 2016.

ENDS

BACKGROUND:

Past Recipients

Such Crowd
• Awarded $20,000
• A crowd-sourcing platform for events that allows event planners to test demand before confirming events. The platform allows people to register interest and they are only charged for tickets if there’s enough interest.

Petri Dish
• Awarded $20,000
• Petri Dish is a shared office space at 8 Stafford Street Dunedin, developed for tech and creative media start-ups, small businesses and individuals. Members receive access to Gigabit UFB and a central data room, which includes a system that allows large amounts of data to be moved around the world at speed.

ResponseAbility
• Awarded $12,000
• Planned development of an app and support programme to help with on-site hazard identification and health and safety management.

Learning with a Difference
• Awarded $15,000
• Funding will be used to develop an animated learning programme to help children with dyslexia.

Adventure Media Works
• Awarded $20,000
• This is an exciting plan underway involving an online service for the photographic community.

Blue Twist
• Awarded $20,000
• Development of a cloud-based systems for the medical sector.

Photo Toolbox Ltd
• Awarded $20,000
• Development of a cloud-based digital asset management system.

Bison Group Ltd
• Awarded $20,000
• Cultivation of a cloud-based data management system for the logistics sector.

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