Sir Rupert Myers Sustainability Award

WIN CASH PRIZES TO FUND YOUR STARTUP IDEA

In collaboration with The James N Kirby Foundation, UNSW Founders proudly present the 2023 Sir Rupert Myers Sustainability Award & Pitch Competition at UNSW's Michael Crouch Innovation Centre. We invite you to pitch your sustainability idea or startup, or join us in the audience.

Applications closed

In partnership with

    • At least one team member must be affiliated with UNSW (a student, staff or alumni).

    • The competition is open to early stage ideas + startups. Your startup must be at a pre-investment stage.

    Have a startup that you would consider to be past the ‘early’ stage? Check out our Climate10x Accelerator program!

  • Pitches will be judged on the following criteria.

    • Impact

    • Innovation

    • Traction

    • Team

    • Market size

    • Business model

  • To be considered for the Sir Rupert Myers Pitch Competition:

    Please email victoriarose.tucker@unsw.edu.au and submit a link to your 3 minute recorded pitch.

    Application deadline: Tuesday, 25 July 9am AEST

    Successful Applicants will be notified by Thursday, 27 July.

    If your application is successful:

    • You can access 1:1 pitch coaching via UNSW Founders Coach & Connect

    • Reminder that you must submit a finalised slide deck by Wednesday, 2 August 9am AEST

  • We're offering coaching sessions so you can craft and practice your pitch.

    You can make the most of this service before submitting your 3-minute recorded pitch or, if your application is successful, ahead of the event to help you refine your pitch.

    Here's a link to our Coach & Connect registration form. If you have already accessed our coaching service before, you can log into the UNSW Founders Community Page and book one of our coaches right away.

    Please note: as per eligibility requirements this free service is available to UNSW Students, Staff & Alumni

  • Date: Friday 4 August, 2023

    Time: 2pm - 5pm

    Location: Michael Crouch Innovation Centre, UNSW Sydney Kensington Campus.

    How it will run?

    • The selected (up to 7) applicants will present a 3 minute business pitch on their sustainability solution.

    • Following the pitches, each team will have 3 minutes of Q+A with the judging panel.

    • Judges will leave to deliberate on First Prize and the People’s Choice voting will open.

    • The Winner of the 2023 Sir Rupert Myers Sustainability Award and $2,500 cash prize will be announced.

    • The Winner of the 2023 Sir Rupert Myers Sustainability People's Choice Award and $500 cash prize will be announced.

    • Attendees are welcome to stay for afternoon tea & networking to close the event.

  • Get in touch with Victoria at UNSW Founders

    victoriarose.tucker@unsw.edu

About the James N Kirby Foundation:

For over 50 years, The James N Kirby Foundation has been and continues to be committed to supporting organisations that provide innovative solutions and opportunities to those in our community who need it most.

About the Sir Rupert Myers Sustainability Award

2020

First Prize Awarded to Replated founded by Naomi Tarszisz

2021

First Prize Awarded to Charopy founded by Martin Collings

Highly commended – Xylo Systems co-founded by Camille Goldstone-Henry and Jada Andersen

People’s Choice – Scrunch Plastic founded by Bronte Abrahams

2022

First Prize Awarded to Brownee Founded by Sara Redmond-Neal, Guido Toepfer & Dr. Jill Rathborne

People’s Choice: Flett founded by Scott Flett

2023

First Prize Awarded to … Could it be you?!

People’s Choice…

Competition Judges

  • James Kirby - Director of Kirby Capital

    James is currently Director at Kirby Capital, a Private Equity Investor, Philanthropist and Vigneron. As well as engineering, James has long been passionate about supporting and investing in start-ups in the technology space, including alternate energy. James N Kirby Foundation is the catalyst for this competition.

  • Natalie Simmons​ - Founder & CEO, Barefoot Citizens Consulting

    Natalie and her team at Barefoot Citizens Consulting are deeply focused on social change and sharing successes with local and global communities through ESG strategy and behaviour change management. Natalie is an expert when it comes to making profit with Purpose, possible.

  • Mark Rowland - Chief Collaboration Officer, Greenhouse

    Mark frequently collaborates with corporates, government, climate tech, and investor partners and plays an active role in fostering opportunities for partners to adopt climate tech in support of current climate action opportunities.