#BNE4 is here!
Less than 30 days from completing our last cohort, #BNE3, the doors were opened for applications for our next intake, #BNE4.
Although the application process was record-short (6 weeks instead of 3–4 months) over 130 startups from 8 countries applied. Each application was carefully reviewed and scored by a panel of leading industry experts. After completing 20+ hours of interviews with Founders and an intense 1-day bootcamp, we have officially welcomed 9 budding teams to participate in our 6–month intensive growth program.
This cohort differs from all previous cohorts before them as BNE4 is aimed at later-stage startups who already have an established solid base for rapid growth.
“We went after the founders who already have their working businesses, validation from the market, ongoing revenue and are in a good position to scale their companies within Australia and potentially even beyond.” — Cristo Pajust, Head of Accelerator
Each joining startup will receive $100k in cash-investment (a considerable increase compared to previous investments of $60k). This change is reflecting the growth needs of the businesses and is a sign of the Accelerator’s fund Investors confidence to back Founders with an existing track record.
“Australia has seen an increase in the quality and number of programs in recent years. The majority of those Programs focus on very early stage companies who haven’t yet launched or have customers/users yet. We have seen an opening in the market to focus on later stage ‘scale-up’ companies that have a level of proven customer traction, product already in market and capable founding team but still require support on how to rapidly scale or level-up their companies.” — Steve Baxter, Founder of River City Labs and RCL Accelerator Fund Manager
Next to money, teams will enjoy a variety of benefits on offer from muru-D and River City Labs’ extensive networks and gain exclusive access of support from a wide team of local and international mentors, fellow founders, alumni and corporate partners.
“I am looking forward to seeing how the founders and their teams progress over the next 6 months of the program. This latest intake we have focused heavily on selecting a certain type of founder to ensure the company is at the right stage, the team is solid and able to grow and scale. We tailor the program to the needs of each team so each time the experience is different. I think we are in for a fast and intense next few months and we have a really strong cohort who I look forward to seeing grow.” — Peta Ellis, CEO of River City Labs
Of the 8 Startups embarking on #BNE4, all teams are solving a variety of world-wide problems; from bringing efficiency to education and health care, to B2B technologies for real estate, insurance, aviation industry heavyweights and bringing together communities for a common cause.
So here they are, the 8 teams heading into the RCL Accelerator program (powered by muru-D) for #BNE4:
Conpago — Conpago provides a digital solution for aged care providers to better connect with their clientele, and provides a platform for home care and village residents to interact with one another while creating transparency to the family and friends of people receiving care.
Edoome — Edoome is a social-learning platform that provides tools for effective communication and collaboration between teachers and students and tools to help teachers save time in planning, assessing and measuring students’ progress.
Flight Suit — Flightsuit is the easiest way to manage business travel. Our platform empowers staff to quickly book and manage upcoming work trips while helping companies understand and optimise their travel spend.
Floodmapp — FloodMapp is an intelligent flood alert solution which provides users with more warning time and personalised messaging, allowing them to protect their safety, save valuables and minimise flood damage. FloodMapp helps insurers reduce their flood-related losses, whilst improving safety and resilience for policy holders.
Icosian — Icosian is a business in a box that streamlines workforce and appointment management processes in the aged care and disability sectors.
Monarc Global — Monarc Global is a online booking interface for private aircraft charter.
Orbmaps — Orbmaps translates complex constraint data into an easy to digest ‘risk heatmap’ to visualise where development opportunities are possible.
World’s Biggest Garage Sale — World’s Biggest Garage Sale is a digital platform enabling communities globally to hold large scale re-commerce events. By activating dormant goods for good through the circular economy, we provide positive impact for people, for planet, for purpose.
RCL Accelerator is a partner program of muru-D, with similar programs running out of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Singapore.
“I’m excited to welcome the BNE4 cohort to the muru-D family and looking forward to seeing how the founders grow and develop over the next six months in the program. It’s great to see how the startup ecosystem in Brisbane is continually growing and producing such high quality companies.” — Julie Trell, Head of muru-D
The program will run from June to December 2018.
About RCL Accelerator
The RCL Accelerator, powered by muru-D, is a 6-month program operating out of River City Labs in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. Each cohort the program takes up to 12 Startups and provides them with capital funding, office space, mentorship, workshops and the necessary tools that will propel them into becoming an scale-ready business.
About RCL
River City Labs fosters the growth of startup companies wanting to solve big problems. We provide resources to empower, support and connect entrepreneurs. Central to everything we do is a focus on collaboration and connection.
About muru-D
muru-D is a startup accelerator program in Australia that helps startups and founders scale smarter and faster. Backed by Telstra, a world-class technology company.
The six-month programs offers seed funding, global connections to investors, mentors and alumni, co-working space, masterclasses and an international trip to a startup hub.
