Why You Should Be Following These 5 Australian Digital Startups!

Digital Disruptors that are changing Australia’s future

‘Digital Disruption’ seemed to be the buzz phrase of 2016 – and for good reason. With the rapid succession of advancements in the world of digital and artificial intelligence, there’s never been a more opportune time to follow your passions as a startup company or budding entrepreneur! And with tech collaboration hubs such as River City Labs offering supportive and inspiring spaces for startups to develop their dreams, the Australian landscape of digital disruptors is growing all the time.River City Labs CEO, Peta Ellis, sees hundreds of passionate entrepreneurs through their programs each year, and thousands more who visit the hub for weekly educational startup events (hosted by RCL). “Being able to help entrepreneurs at all stages of their development is a unique offering we are privileged to facilitate at River City Labs,” she says. “From ideation to building MVP’s, finding co founders, raising capital or structuring the company for growth and everything in between, we have the resources and expertise to support startup founders within our network.”

Below, the organisation give us their top five recommendations for ‘world changing’ digital disruptors you should be following in 2017!

Maxwell MRI

Did you know that 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime? Sadly, these statistics are a cold reality, but Maxwell MRI is looking to turn these figures around.

Founded by Matthew Brown and Elliot Smith, the startup is currently in the development phase of a prostate cancer detection and diagnosis tool, which uses artificial intelligence algorithms to assist radiologists, GPs, and specialists with detection. As well as working on a solution to prostate cancer, Maxwell MRI are also developing ‘deep learning based diagnostic models’ for both lung and breast cancer.
Having only come to River City Labs in mid 2016, the preventative health startup have since secured $60,000 in seed funding through River City Labs’ ‘muru-D accelerator program’.

“With the ability to detect potential health issues much earlier than what is currently being achieved, Maxwell MRI are going to change the world,” says River City Labs Operations Manager Jordan Birchall.

Travello

Founded by Queenslanders Ryan Hanly and Marc Cantoni, Travello began as an idea to connect travellers around the world, and has since developed into a huge social travelling network in over 180 countries worldwide! With features that allow you to search for other like-minded travellers (so you can meet up, make new friends, or ask questions when in the same town), as well as discover WiFi hotspots and events nearby, Travello is a clear disruptor in the digital travel industry.
As well as securing $1.26 million in investment to further the international expansion of this social network, the two Queenslanders were also selected as part of River City Labs’ ‘muru-D Accelerator program (Cohort 1, 2015). Jordan Birchall believes the success and appeal of the app lies in its ability to easily connect travellers all around the world; allowing them to share their experiences and knowledge.

SiteSee

Not to be confused with the web design brand of the same name, SiteSee is a web platform for telcos that leverages 3D maps of mobile towers in order to streamline the design and management of mobile networks. Developed in 2016 by Dave Crane, Lucio Piccoli and Lachlan Crane, SiteSee is looking to target the SE Asian and US market in the year ahead.
Recently securing $60,000 in seed funding through River City Labs’ ‘muru-D accelerator program’, Jordan Birchall says SiteSee’s aero-lens drone technology will change the world; assisting telecommunications companies with the future management of their vital infrastructure.

Genesis Augmented Reality

Watch out PokemonGo, you’ve got competition! Founded by two Queensland teenagers, Ryan Neale and Long Roos (who were just 17 at the time of development), Genesis is an augmented reality gaming company that allows trading cards to come to life with the help of a smartphone; revealing an array of battle characters with specific skills.

Joining with River City Labs in June 2016, the pair entered a Credit Union Australia ‘Sponsored Entrepreneur program’ with the Brisbane tech hub, and are certainly on their way to huge things!

Cohort Solutions

Studying overseas is more often than not an expensive venture, but one company believes it doesn’t have to be! Founded by Mark Fletcher and Paul Jones, Cohort Solutions are changing the world by making international education more affordable and accessible to all. Examples of some of their services include an international tuition payment service, a comparison and application service for temporary visa insurance, airport transport, and temporary accommodation packages.
Backed by well-known Australian Entrepreneur (and River City Labs Founder) Steve Baxter and specialist payment investor Vix Investments, the startup provides services to students in over 180 countries, and has already developed a customer base in excess of 30,000!

About River City Labs

Based in Fortitude Valley, River City Labs is Brisbane’s premier technology startup hub and central clubhouse for tech startups. As a not-for-profit organisation with over 100 members, they are focused on providing the right environment for entrepreneurs; allowing them to make valuable contacts while learning from peers, mentors and industry experts along the way.

PSSST! Did you know that this article featured in our Optimise Q1 2017 issue? Download your free copy of Optimise Magazine today!