Get ready to pitch for China at Startup Shakeup event

• Entrepreneurs in North East Victoria can pitch business ideas to win trip to China to help grow their global business
• The Wangaratta competition to be held on 4 April at CSU Regional Study Centre

Next month, entrepreneurs in North East Victoria can pitch business ideas to win a trip to China to help grow their budding global businesses.

The Pitch Night competition, to be held in Wangaratta on 4 April, will see owners of startup businesses pitching their business idea and competing for a share in over $100,000 in prizes, which includes a trip to attend the Jiangsu Victoria Startup Summit to be held in Nanjing, China in May this year.

Supported by Startup Shakeup and Charles Sturt University (CSU), in partnership with Runway Geelong, “winning the Pitch Fest in North East Victoria on April 4 could pave the way for a thriving global venture,” says Ms Ilena Young, Centre Manager for the CSU Wangaratta Regional Study Centre.

CEO of Runway Geelong and sponsor of the event, Mr Peter Dostis, is excited for the opportunities it will bring to North East Victoria.

"China can be a difficult market to enter without the right level of connections and introductions. The summit is a fantastic opportunity for any North East startup or scaling-up business looking to get started in China," Mr Dostis said.

The competition winner will receive a fully paid trip including travel, accommodation, and a formal introduction. This will be one of several competitions held state-wide to select 15 Victorian startups who will then be matched with Jiangsu startups or companies to participate in a hackathon and Mayors and Investors Forum on 14-15 May in Nanjing, China.

Applications for the Pitch Fest close on 27 March 2019. Submissions can be made at www.startupshakeup.co

Everyone is invited to see an evening of pitches and support local startups from 6pm on 4 April at Wangaratta Regional Study Centre, 218 Tone Rd, Wangaratta.

To assist with catering, book here.

Media contact:

Wes Ward, 0417 125 795

Media Note:

To arrange interviews with Ms Ilena Young, based in at the Wangaratta Regional Study Centre, contact Wes Ward at CSU Media on mobile 0417 125 795 or news@csu.edu.au

Startup Shakeup is a partnership between Rural City of Benalla, Rural City of Wangaratta, Indigo Shire, Mansfield Shire, Charles Sturt University’s Wangaratta Regional Study Centre, Goulburn Ovens TAFE and the NETracks Local Learning and Employment Network. Co-organised by the Nanjing Municipal Government, City of Melbourne, Pukou District Government, Nanjing Overseas Innovation Centre and Australia-China Association of Scientists and Entrepreneurs (ACASE), the Jiangsu Victoria Startup Summit creates a unique opportunity for Victorian and Jiangsu cities and businesses alike to exchange knowledge, build strong commercial relationships and discuss solutions to current issues affecting communities.