On August 17th, the final contest and closing ceremony of Alpha Innovation Contest 2018 was held at Edith Cowan University of Australia. Initiated and organized by AEMS – Australia Education and Migration Services and Alpha Incubation Group, the inaugural Alpha Innovation Contest 2018, with the theme of Australia Focused, Innovation and Self Realisation in April 2018, now ended successfully.
At the end of the final contest, the T.A.P (The Alpha Program) a brand entrepreneurship support packaged program as the Alpha Incubation Process, officially set sail. At the same time, the AuSino Technology and Innovation Centre, jointly established by the SinoSteel Australia Pty Ltd., Alpha Incubation Group, Sinosteel Metal & Resources Co., Ltd. and Sinosteel Technology Incubator (Tianjin) Company Ltd. A new chapter of promoting innovation and new industry cooperation between China and Australia had begun.
Academic researchers, young entrepreneurs and start-ups competitive on the same stage
On 17th August, 2018, the last seven winning project teams entered the final competition. The rest of the 18 finalist contestants were also present to witness the cash prize and the One Million Venture Fund application in the final event.
The project list of the final contest
Group #1 Internet Software/hardware development
Online Education – Next Generation Learning Mgt System (UWA academic team)
Mirror Mirror(Murdoch graduate)
Bottlesales(Startups)
Group # 2 Technical Innovation
Aluminum Electric Chasis Prototype(Startups)
Group #3 Medical & health care
Hybrid RF/Optical-Coherence-Tomography Catheter(Curtin University academic team)
GlycanAge-Difine Your Biological Age(ECU academic team)
EpiPen (epinephrine injection) Replacement(ECU academic team)
Snapshots of the Final Contest
The final round of Alpha Innovation Contest was held at the Council Chambers of ECU Joondalup Campus.
First, Dr. Liang Fen, Chairman of the contest organizing committee introduced the judging penal and guests present at the ceremony and the final seven projects. Then the Chairman of the judging penal, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Edith Cowan University Professor Wei Wang, explained the contest process and rules, and announced the official start of the final round of Alpha Innovation Contest 2018.
The presenters of the final round were required to focus on the analysis and display of the actual data in the commercialization prospects and financing planning of the project, the judges would also pay close attention to these details. The final presentation were related to the last three winning prizes and the support level of the later incubation.
Hybrid RF/Optical-Coherence-Tomography Catheter(ECU academic team)
GlycanAge-Difine Your Biological Age(ECU academic team)
EpiPen (epinephrine injection) Replacement(Curtin University academic team)
Aluminum Electric Chasis Prototype(Startups)
Bottlesales(Startups)
Mirror Mirror(Murdoch graduate)
Online Education – Next Generation Learning Mgt System (UWA academic team)
Q&A session for each project
Judging and Award Ceremony
The judging penal was composed of experts from various fields, including representative members from the government of Western Australia, CEOs of the investment company and marketing company, professors of the universities and business elite. After the final presentation of the seven projects, the judges retreated from the scene to make a comprehensive evaluation from the final performance, the business model, the team advantage and the initial capital self-raising ability, etc.. After nearly one hour of intense judging and discussion, finally, the results of the first and second prizes and two third prizes were decided. The other three finalists were awarded the “Disruptive Thinking Certificate”, “Outstanding Project Certificate” and “Best Business Model Award”. The awarding ceremony for each award with vouchers was carried out, which pushed the atmosphere of the event to a climax.
Third Prize Winner: UWA research team.
Third Prize Winner: ECU research team
Two third prize winners shared the award
Second Prize Winner: Morgan Becker from Murdoch University
First Prize Winner: Gemilang Coachwork Company
Venture capital fund taking the lead, T.A.P (The Alpha Program) designed and delivered by the elite mentor team – a new journey has started
After the award presentation, were the VIP speeches, including:
Representative of the Government of WA
Mr Rob Delane, Deputy Director General, Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Government of Western Australia.
From the launching ceremony of the Alpha Innovation Contest in April, Mr Rob Delane has participated in almost all the activities organized by the Alpha Innovation contest organizing committee, which had fully reflects the pragmatic style of the state government, the strong support for such innovative and entrepreneurial activities. In the short speech at the end of the ceremony, Mr Rob Delane, once again marveled at the fruitful results of the Alpha Incubation Group and AEMS to jointly organize such a high-level and high-impact innovation competition. Mr Delane blessed all the contestants, wished the Alpha Incubation Program and future projects would go one step further.
Mr. Bruno Delfante, head of the Western Australian State Business and Immigration Center, also participated in the events and participated in the contest as one of the judging panel members and the incubator mentor team members.
Innovation mentor representative
Mr Mark Da Silva congratulated and thanked every contestant.
On behalf of the mentor team of Alpha Incubation Group, Mr. Mark expressed his gratitude and congratulations to the contestants, he then focused on The Alpha Program (T.A.P) of the Alpha Incubation Group. The Alpha incubation team awarded a AU$1,000 incubation process voucher to each of the 18 finalist contestants. He hoped that they can get targeted support by participating in the incubation process, making their entrepreneurial projects smooth on the road to commercialization, or further expanding their business in the near future.
Representative of CAEF VC Fund
Mr Edward Plowman,manager of CAEF Venture Capital.
Mr. Edward flew specially from Melbourne to Perth in the morning to participate in the finals and the closing ceremony. He highly praised the achievements of this competition that was far beyond the expected performance, and also for all the innovative young entrepreneurs present. On behalf of CAEF Ventures Group, he expressed the commitment to Alpha Incubation Group’s full support in the incubation and commercial transformation of the projects. Mr. Edward also presented a sample check of the One Million Australian Dollar Venture Fund for the most valuable incubation program with Dr. Song Tingguang, CEO of Alpha Incubation Group and AEMS, to achieve the initial commitment to the innovative entrepreneurs and start-ups.
CEO of Alpha Incubation Group and AEMS
Dr. Song Tingguang, CEO of Alpha Incubation Group and AEMS
As the end of the closing ceremony, Dr. Song Tingguang gave a final speech. He thanked every contestant for their hard work, he thanked the judging penal for their professionalism and dedication. He thanked the great support from the government and communities. He expressed his sincere gratitude to all the young start-ups and the students and young researches and blessed all the contestants and young entrepreneurs for their future success. Finally, Dr. Song warmly thanked his team, who have been working very hard for the last few months for the contest.
(The full speech of Dr. Song attached at the end of the report)
Hand in Hand, creating and building a new chapter of the innovation project between China and Australia
After the closing ceremony, another important event was the launching ceremony of the AuSino Technology & Innovation Centre.
The AuSino Technology & Innovation Centre was jointly established by Sinosteel Australia Co., Ltd., Australia Alpha Incubation Group, Sinosteel Metal Resources Co., Ltd. and Sinosteel Techology Incubator (Tianjin) Co., Ltd., aiming to bridge between Australia and China, to promote high-quality scientific research projects and develop strategies of Sinosteel’s overseas expansion of technology innovation business, and meet the need of Alpha Incubation Group to promote Australian quality innovation projects to China.
At the launching ceremony, Mr. Sun Xiaoxuan, the general manager of Sinosteel Australia, gave a warm speech. After congratulating the success of the Alpha Innovation Contest, Mr. Sun briefly introduced and summarized the development of Sinosteel’s technology innovation business in China and Australia in recent years. He hoped and believed that through the establishment of this centre, the development of Sinosteel’s technology and innovation business sector will take a more solid and stable step in the internationalization strategy.
Appendix
(CEO of Alpha Incubation Group and Australian Education & Migration Services Dr. Song Tingguang full speech.)
Dear Contestants, Judging panel members, distinguished guests and friends, good afternoon.
First, I would like to thank you all for coming today to witness the closing ceremony of our Alpha Innovation Contest 2018. Thank you all for being with us since the launch of the contest at the Northbridge Hotel in April.I can still hear the POP of the Champagne corks and seeing all of your enthusiastic faces. I was excited at that time but also wondered how the contest would progress.
Since then, you have been working and travelling closely with us for the last 4 months. From 82 applications, we selected 18 excellent projects to participate in the first round of judging. We had a very challenging time in judging the projects and we were surprised by the high quality of the entries. The judging has now been completed today with seven finalists, initially designed to be six, and the issuing of awards. I would liketo thank our judges for their professional dedication and their contribution of their precious time, thank you all!
I would like to thank our partners and sponsors for their great support and trust in us. Without them, we could not have achieved what we have had today. I would like to thank my staff who have worked tirelessly to make the event run smoothly.
Finally, I would like to thank our contestants for their hard work and excellent presentations. Although the Contest has ended, your project has just started. Alpha Incubation Group will help you to refine your project. Our mentor team will work with you until it comes to fruition.
I believe every contestant is a winner by participating in the contest. You were forced to think hard about your innovation’s competitive advantage. You designed and made persuasive presentations. You subjected yourself and your products to professional scrutiny. And you built valuable skills on the road to commercialising your products.
Alpha Incubation Group wish you good luck for the future.
Thank you all!