The next big bright idea could be sparked in Gold Coast classrooms through the 4th annual 2017 Mayor’s Telstra Technology Award.
The Mayor's Telstra Technology Award recognises and drives innovation and entrepreneurship in a competition designed to uncover new technologies by some of our brightest students.
A partnership between Study Gold Coast, Telstra, Bond University and Startup Apprentice, the initiative is open to all Gold Coast high schools and is targeted towards years 9-12.
Mayor Tom Tate said the city was a dynamic place for evolving technologies and the next generation would help to ensure its future prosperity.
“The Gold Coast has always harnessed and supported entrepreneurial spirit and our youth are the next generation of big thinkers,” said Cr Tate.
“The Mayor’s Telstra Technology Award has unearthed some very clever ideas over the past three years, including apps to improve health and the management of diabetes, water purification systems and camera technology to help ensure safety around schools.”
Study Gold Coast chief executive officer Shannon Willoughby, said the city’s booming education sector has become an incubator for clever concepts.
“With the diversification of the city’s economy comes the opportunity to create and commercialise new technology,” she said.
“Encouraging students to think outside the box is a great way to inspire them with new ways of doing things and preparing them for future careers here on the Gold Coast. This was the catalyst for the city’s first employability program, aimed to strengthen the link between education and business.
“Innovators can be found amongst our most successful companies and an increasing number of startups, engineers, educators, technology professionals and investors call the Gold Coast home.”
Twelve teams have been selected to take their idea to the next level with coaching from a revered team of entrepreneurs and technical mentors from Bond University and Startup Apprentice.
These finalists will get the opportunity to present their idea to a broader audience and convince an expert judging panel that their idea is the best, at the Final Pitch and Presentation Evening to be held at Bond University on October 23.
Bond University's Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship, Dr Baden U’Ren, said the number of entries was increasing every year.
“The level of ingenuity in this competition is setting new standards every year, which is very encouraging. We just never know what we’re going to see, which makes this competition so interesting.”
Telstra’s Area General Manager for the Gold Coast, Darren Clark, said Telstra was a proud supporter of the initiative.
“Telstra is all about creating new technology and streamlining innovation for consumers and it is exciting to once again support this brilliant initiative,” he said.
There are great prizes to be won, thanks to Telstra, including:
- Google Pixel Smartphones
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S2
- Harman Kardon Onyx 3 Bluetooth Speakers
- $5,000 cash for the winning school!