Major showcase Tech23 returns to Sydney with a $100,000 cash prize pool

Technology showcase Tech23 is returning to Sydney for its fourth year and is now accepting pitches from start-ups, to be perused by industry leaders including Bill Bartee, Steve Baxter and Doron Ben-Meir.

The event will be held on Thursday, October 23 at The Auditorium in Surry Hills, with prizes to be presented at an awards ceremony on the same evening.

The winners will share in a $100,000 cash prize pool from the NSW Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services.

They will also be in the running for an ATP Innovation package including a week of meetings and introductions in Silicon Valley.

Over the years, Tech23 has provided a platform for a diverse range of start-ups to secure funding, establish business relationships, develop strategic alliances, and attract media attention.

Trailblazing Tech23 alumni include Posse, Marathon Robotics, Kaggle and OrionVM.

A total of 23 start-ups are selected to take centre stage across technology categories such as mobile, social, green, digital, health, education, cloud, robotics and space exploration.

The broad range of start-ups is matched by an eclectic pool of industry leaders who provide invaluable insight and connections.

Tech23’s 2012 industry leaders include Bill Bartee, managing director of Southern Cross Venture Partners, and Pipe Networks co-founder Steve Baxter.

Also on board are Doron Ben-Meir, chief executive of Commercialisation Australia, Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes, and OneVentures managing director Michelle Deaker.

According to Bartee, Tech23 is “raising the bar” for technology innovation.

“It is an event dedicated to amplifying today’s most innovative companies, no matter the amount of funding they’ve received,” Bartee says.

“[Tech23] has emerged as one of the most important events in Australia for nurturing an entrepreneurial culture.”

Andrew Stoner, NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment, said in a statement the NSW Government is pleased to support Tech23.

“By bringing together the most innovative emerging technology companies and potential investors, Tech23 encourages new commercialisation and business opportunities,” he said.

Sponsors include NSW Trade and Investment and the Australian Technology Showcase, NICTA, Citrix, CSIRO, University of Technology, Sydney, and Commercialisation Australia.

Applications close on August 16.