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Pitch for the Planet

Each year, the TOI program culminates in the ‘Pitch for the Planet’ competition, where teams from schools across NSW compete to impress real VCs (investors), successful startup Founders, and sustainability experts.

All participants receive a certificate and micro credentials for their completion of the course and pitch. The 2024 winning teams each took home $1000 cash prize, a glass trophy, and industry experiences. This included being hosted at NSW Parliament House by The Hon Courtney Houssos, Minister for Finance, Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement and Natural Resources. Winning teams also participated in an AR/VR Workshop with Nested Realities, and a High Tea with Sarah, Duchess of York.

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Students Apply their Learning

As an opportunity to apply their learnings from the six month TOI innovation curriculum, student pitches demonstrate a mix of technical STEM skills, entrepreneurship, and soft skill development such as teamwork, confidence and communication skills. Most importantly, students work together to solve a real world sustainability case study, addressing ‘wicked’ problems challenging both industry and the environment.

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Solving a Sustainability Case Study

As part of the case study, students must consider key sustainability concepts, including environmental and ecological determinants. Students conduct ethnographic research, hearing directly from stakeholders impacted by the problem space (e.g. scientists, farmers, business owners, or policy makers), and evaluate existing market solutions and constraints (environmental, economic and social). Students consider how new innovations can be used for good.

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Pitching Innovations to Investors

The competition itself spans two days, with 50-100 teams competing. Student teams travel from across the state with their teacher mentors. When presenting, teams have 8 minutes to share their problem, market research, solution, product ideation / prototype, opportunity / market size and business and/or impact model. Finally, students have 2 minutes to answer questions and convince the judges to invest in their innovative solution and team.

Two Days / Two Winners
2024

2023

Real World Case Study

The case challenge was provided by our cornerstone partners UNSW Digital Grid Futures Institute. Thank you to co-sponsors Tank Stream Labs, One Ventures and Quest Payment Systems.

 

In 2024 students pitched solutions to a real world sustainability problem around facilitating Australia's transition to electric vehicles. While our contribution to global emissions is small, Australia is one of the highest per capita emitters of greenhouse gases in the world. Australia’s per capita emissions from fuel combustion are significantly higher than the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) average. The transport sector (road, rail, ship and air) is one of the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in NSW. We need to find ways to accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles. What would you pitch?

 

In 2023 students pitched solutions for reducing emissions in the dairy industry. There are many steps in the life cycle of dairy products. All steps of this process produce emissions in various ways. The Australian dairy industry has made a commitment to minimise their environmental footprint and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030, while global demand for dairy is expected to increase by approximately 60 percent by 2050. Considering this, impactful changes are needed to ensure the Australian dairy industry can reach their 2030 target. 

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Sponsors

The future is bright because of you.

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So Many Powerful Solutions!

Ministers and Special Guests

Every year a range of high profile community leaders take time out of their busy schedules to speak at, support, and judge Pitch for the Planet. Whether they are delivering a keynote, exploring the hub with the students, giving feedback, or answering candid questions, these special guests remind students that ‘becoming’ an innovator is also about personal growth, leadership, and community service.

 

This year we give special thanks to our Government representatives: 

 

  • The Hon Jodie Harrison, Member for Charlestown, Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault​

  • The Hon Courtney Houssos, Minister for Finance, Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement and Natural Resources  ​

  • Trish Doyle MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change, Parliamentary Secretary for Energy, Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment

 

Thank you to our wonderful keynote speakers: 

 

  • Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith, Astrophysicist & Australia’s Women in STEM Ambassador​

  • Professor John Fletcher, Director of The Digital Grid Futures Institute, UNSW, 

  • Sarah Carney, CTO Microsoft ANZ​

  • Annie Liao, Founder at Build Club & Forbes 30 under 30 ​

  • Lee Constable, Author of How to Save the Whole Stinkin' Planet​

  • Lottie Dalziel, Founder at Banish, Forbes 30 under 30 and NSW 2023 Young Australian of the Year 


Thank you to our judges of both the competition heats and grand finals: 

 

  • Dr Jaclyn Aldenhoven, Director, Strategy and Programs (Future Industries) - NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer's Office

  • Lucy Anderson, Social Impact Lead, ANZ - VISA

  • Phil Argy, Sydney Angels and The Australian Electric Vehicle Association Executive Committee

  • Sarah Carney, CTO ANZ - Microsoft 

  • Dr Joanna Chua, Partner - Deeptech VC

  • Lottie Dalziel, Founder - Banish

  • Brad Delamare, Tank Stream Labs CEO

  • Noga Edelstein, Director of Advisory, Tractor Ventures

  • Marc Englaro, CEO - Permaconn

  • Lisa Fedorenko, Investment Manager - Alberts

  • Professor John Fletcher, Director - DGFI UNSW

  • Caitlin Fitzsimmons, Environment and climate reporter - The Sydney Morning Herald

  • Jodie Frew, Board Member & Advisor, AI FOR LIFE

  • Jason Graham-Nye, Co-Founder - gDiapers & Chair of Circular Economy Australia

  • Emma Hawthorne, Energy Lead, Oceania - EY

  • Sue Hogan, Angel Investor and non-profit Executive Leader

  • Sophie Hood, Founder & CEO - Seoul Tonic

  • Bree Kirkham, F5 Collective CCO

  • Kate Madden, Senior Investor - One Ventures

  • Jan Mason, CEO - Quest Payment Systems 

  • Nicolette Maury, CEO - Avani Solutions

  • Rebecca Miller, SMEC Manager Sustainable Futures

  • Kate Moonen Chief Marketing, Communications & Sustainability Officer, Veolia

  • Lynn Morrison Partner, Assurance - EY

  • Bailey Myers, Founder & Managing Director – Jefferson Capital Partners Ventures

  • Natalie Osaki, Senior Manager | Climate Change and Sustainability Services - EY

  • Angela Plaisted, Principal - Croga Consulting

  • Adrian Salinas, Knowledge Sharing Manager, ARENA

  • Elliot Spiegel, Partner - Inhouse Ventures

  • James Stewart, CEO - Always Carbon

  • Shruti Sudhakaran, Partner, Assurance - ARENA

  • Anne-Maree Taylor, Co-Founder - Mitosportz

  • Eloise Taylor, Investment Manager - ARENA

  • Sharon Swift, Manager - UNSW Digital Grid Futures Institute​​​

Bosco College's Team 'Equatone': 3D Digital Model

Hall of Fame

Congratulations to all of the teams who compete each year. Special mention goes to our yearly winners and finalists.

2024

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Winners

Day One
Wattway, St Ursula's College Kingsgrove

Runner-up Solaris Energy, St Vincent's College Ashfield
 

Day Two
Greenbay, Corpus Christi Catholic High School Oak Flats

Runner-up Snapcharge, Ravenswood School for Girls

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Finalists
 

Day One
Karbon Koala, Endeavour Sports High School Caringbah

Swap N' Go, Marian College Kenthurst

Green Drive, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Kensington

ECMaps, St Patrick's College Sutherland

 

Day Two

Tirenergy, Coolah Central School

Eco Link, Murrumbidgee Regional High School Griffith

EV-lution, Narrabri High School

Eco Switch, Woolgoolga High School

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2023

Winners


Day One

DairyWay, Rutherford Technology High School


Day Two

Synetic, St John Bosco College

Finalists 


Day One
Calm Milk, Maitland Grossmann High School
Oxen, Ravenswood School for Girls
MuPu, Maitland Grossmann High School

Day Two
BioFarm, St Luke's Catholic College
Equatone, St John Bosco College
The Milk Logistics, Moorefield Girls High School 

2022

Winners


Day One

Insolar, St Ursula's College, Kingsgrove


Day Two

Eco-Crate, Ravenswood School for Girls

Finalists 


Day One
PinkWire, St John Bosco College
Prowano, Cabramatta High School
Project Plant, Tangara School for Girls

Day Two
Agrifirma, Ravenswood School for Girls
Huskly, Maitland Grossmann High School
SeaFeed, Maitland Grossmann High School
 

2021

Winner


Current Care Sea Repair, Cerdon College 

Runner-up


Tangara School for Girls

Finalists 


Tangara School for Girls
Montgrove College

Caroline Chisholm College
St Ursula's College, Kingsgrove

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