Game changers of 2021: Meet the UTS Startups Awards winners

28 September 2021

Recap

The UTS Startups Awards are an annual celebration of the incredible technology-enabled startups at UTS and is the flagship event in the UTS Startups Festival.
Founders specialising in health tech to cryptocurrency to product innovation pitched to a live panel of judges on Tuesday 28 September 2021.
Award category winners share in over $550,000 worth of cash and prizes from community partners and sponsors.

UTS Startups Awards 2021 with hosts Dave and Emma

Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 UTS Startups Awards!

Best UTS Startup (ideas stage)

Recognising those at the beginning of their journey in exploring and developing solutions that we believe will make significant impact.

Winner: Titan Biomechanics
Titan Biomechanics is a solution to injuries caused by poor technique whilst exercising. It is an app that uses AI to monitor the body's technique and provide feedback.

Community Morale Award

Recognising the exceptional and selfless contribution to the community that exemplifies the startup spirit and a sense of give-back.

Winner: Maslow
Maslow is a telehealth platform for people with disabilities. The mobile app puts users back at the centre of their care and rehab, making it easier to remotely receive workout programs from therapists, share their care and therapy routine with support workers, and communicate with their entire team in one place.

Best UTS Startup (most sustainable)

Supported by NSW Deep Green Biotech Hub, these startups have indicated a commitment to environmental sustainability, incorporating sustainable practices and/or building sustainability into their business model.

Winner: EYWA
EYWA is an onsite waste-to-energy bin. Converting common waste materials directly into green electricity makes waste expenseless; no collection, no pollution, no worries!

Best UTS Startup (application of research)

UTS is committed to practical innovation and the development of impact-driven research that benefits industry and the broader community. This award recognises those who have leveraged this research to build a business driving change in the world around us.

Winner: Talanoa Education
Talanoa Education helps optimise skills and understanding in working with Pacific individuals and groups across sporting, education and diversity management settings.

Best UTS Startup (social impact)

As an institution for public good, UTS is committed to driving social change within and beyond campus. We recognise the commitment to building a for-purpose startup that benefits people and communities.

Winner: Generation Entrepreneur
Generation Entrepreneur makes entrepreneurial and enterprise skills accessible for high school students, no matter their background, through entrepreneurial workshops, hackathons, incubators and nationwide business-building tournaments.

Best UTS Startup (established)

Recognising those who've seen their ideas through to execution and are finding traction in their market.

Cofounder of UTS startup Compass IoT, Emily Bobis

Winner: Compass IoT
Compass IoT uses connected vehicles to collect data on speed, volume, safety, and g-forces across the transport network empowering transport operators with real-time and retrospective data on how a city moves.

Most Inspiring Award

Recognising the resilience and creativity of our startups, combined with finding an opportunity to contribute to post-COVID economic recovery.

Winner: CryptoSpend
CryptoSpend is the one stop shop for crypto. They excel and innovate on the new way to spend crypto or use it for everyday payments. They are bridging the gap between global cryptocurrencies and the Australian banking system and have convinced Visa to approve the first Australian card for spending bitcoin!

Winner: Consent Labs
Consent Labs is foremost a collective of young people with a passion. They provide engaging sessions that teach people how to navigate consent respectfully. Bringing personal experiences from various universities and residential colleges, Consent Labs was born out of a recognised need for greater awareness of consent, sexual harassment and assault. Truly inspirational.

Best UTS Startup (high traction)

Recognising a startup that has demonstrated high traction through investment and revenue in 2021.

Founder of Urban Plant Growers, Dilhan, in the UTS Startups collaborative spaces Photo by Andy Roberts.

Winner: Urban Plant Growers
Urban Plant Growers are committed to enabling everyday people to grow their own food in a local and sustainable manner. The team have managed to supply their hydroponic gardens and grow lights in David Jones, Flower Power and Costco. It seems like nothing can stop this UTS startup from growing.

UTS Startup of the Year

Recognising a well-rounded startup team that gives back to the UTS Startups community by inspiring and supporting others. They've displayed determination through action on their startup, and demonstrated traction through customers, investors and accelerator programs.

Winner: Compass IoT
Compass IoT uses connected vehicles to collect data on speed, volume, safety, and g-forces across the transport network empowering transport operators with real-time and retrospective data on how a city moves.

Compass IoT was not only runner-up in the 2021 iAwards, but co-founder Emily Bobis was named one of the 2021 Top 50 Small Business Leaders, and this startup has been recognised multiple times for its life-saving data.

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