An Australian startup has taken out the top prize at the prestigious European startup pitch fest Slush, securing a €650,000 investment.
CareMonkey, which is a health and safety electronic form system for groups with a duty of care, saving up to date medical and emergency data and making it instantly available on mobile devices, attended the Finnish event as winners of Slush Down Under, which was held in Melbourne earlier this year as part of the Connect Expo.
The Victorian based company were deemed worthy winners of the growth-stage track at the April event, which was judged by partners from the likes of Square Peg Capital and Starfish Ventures as well as Startup Victoria.
The prize was an all-expenses paid trip to the Helsinki startup event – known for its festival styling and famous after parties – with CareMonkey also receiving a startup package of a guaranteed investment pitch, a stand and meetings with investors at the event.
Speaking exclusively to InnovationAus.com from Finland, an elated CareMonkey CEO Troy Westley said that the he was thrilled with the win and what it means for his team.
“This prize is a validation for the whole team that we are working on a product that has real potential to grow, and help many more organisations better manage their duty of care.
“I wasn’t expecting such a massive, but well run event and it’s been the most exciting thing I have ever attended.”
Mr Westley said that the company plans to open an office in the UK with the prize money received as well as getting started on US expansion.
“We want to develop partnerships where we don’t already have partnerships and grow CareMonkey on a global scale,” he added.
Speaking to InnovationAus.com, Connect Expo organiser, Association and Communications Events CEO Craig Macfarlane, said the news is testament to Melbourne’s flourishing startup scene and the reason such events are held there.
“We are thrilled to hear that CareMonkey are the winners of the main prize at Slush,” he said.
“As part of the prize for winning the pitching contest at Slush Down Under, which runs as part of the Connect Expo, we sent CareMonkey to Slush in Helsinki to be put in front of some of the world’s biggest investors and they have done Australia proud in getting to the top four, out of almost 10000 applications, and then going on to win.
“This news is proof of the burgeoning technology scene in Melbourne, which is exactly why Connect Expo is held there.”
*Photo Credit: CareMonkey
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