Venture Cup Pitch Night 2025: Swinburne Elevate Program

Join us for an inspiring evening of entrepreneurship as Swinburne’s Elevate Program graduates pitch their innovative ventures to a live audience of industry experts, investors, and fellow innovators.

📍 RACV City Club | 🗓️ Tuesday 28 October, 6pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

Meet the cohort:
🔹 AeroSync: co-founded by Zac Schade & Nick Dobie
🔹 Encevia: co-founded by Mathew Evans & Ashley Trethowan
🔹 Bertie App: co-founded by Dr Chelsea Arnold (PhD) & Andrew Finlayson
🔹 Zero Tech (AutoAE): co-founded by Han Zhu & Alex
🔹 Shopfront: co-founded by Nate Spiteri & Drew Flaherty
🔹 FitCheckit: founded by Olyvia Munro

Why come along?

• Be inspired by the bold ideas shaping tomorrow

• Watch founders pitch for cash prizes and recognition

• Hear insights and tough questions from expert judges

• Cast your vote in the People's Choice Award

• Connect with fellow innovators, investors, and partners

Event details:

• Date: Tuesday, 28 October 2025

• Time: 6pm-9pm

• Location: Racv City Club, level 17, 501 Bourke St, Melbourne

Meet the Judges: 

Meet our renowned judging panel, the guiding force behind selecting the winners of the 2025 Venture Cup! We are privileged to have such an exceptional panel of judges on board.

Professor Karen Hapgood, Deputy Vice Chancellor Research at Swinburne

Professor Karen Hapgood is an experienced and respected executive leader, who leads the development and implementation of Swinburne's Research strategy and builds impactful research partnerships to further Swinburne’s research nationally and globally. Her career has included over seven years of industry experience in Australia and the United States, followed by 15 years of leadership roles in the higher education sector, all based around a common thread of manufacturing and STEM. 

Claes Mansson, Chief Information Officer at Swinburne

Claes Mansson is the Chief Information Officer at Swinburne University of Technology, a role he has held since January 2024. He previously worked at the University of Sydney, where he held several roles including Chief Technology Officer and Interim Chief Information Officer. Claes has also advanced ICT strategic initiatives at Monash University, managed global IT client services at Quintiles, and held senior roles at Nielsen, contributing to the growth of information systems and business intelligence across Europe. 

Dr Werner van der Merwe, Vice-President at Swinburne Innovation and Enterprise

Dr van der Merwe is reinvigorating the innovative spirit at Swinburne and partnering with industry to generate new revenue, drive innovation and improve the university’s overall financial sustainability. Dr van der Merwe has a PhD in Engineering from the University of Pretoria. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an INSEAD alumni.

Event schedule:

Whether you’re a founder in the making or just curious, come be part of this celebration of creativity and ambition.

If you have any questions, contact us at innovationstudio@swin.edu.au.