Pioneering Sustainable Solutions - The A.I.R.R Success Story
UNE SMART Region Incubator hosted the inaugural Energy Powered Innovation Challenge (EPIC) on 27&28 April 2023.
A.I.R.R. was the team which pitched the winning solution on the day. Utilising some of their prize, the group took first steps towards progressing their idea further by hosting an event at NOVA on 30 June to gather potential stakeholders and investors.
This is their story so far (as shared by A.I.R.R representative, Kate Blair-Hickman):
“The EPIC Initiative of 2023 aimed to inspire innovative ideas and foster the growth of businesses dedicated to paving the way for a sustainable future, not only in the New England Region but also across Australia.
EPIC laid out three challenge statements that served as the foundation for teams to develop concepts, business ideas, conduct research, and acquire valuable insights. I, Kate Blair-Hickman, had the privilege of being part of a team consisting of three fellow Austin Page College residents, all enrolled at the University of New England. Our team was composed of Jye Blackman, a geology student, Jackson Hall, specializing in sport science, Chiara Meier-Wichmann, pursuing studies in Business, and myself, focusing on agribusiness.
The atmosphere throughout the EPIC journey was charged with excitement. The NOVA facility and its team did an outstanding job of ensuring participants were well-fed, on track, and fully engaged. Our initial ideas flowed steadily leading up to the event and gained refinement and depth following the EPIC launch night. We made great use of the fantastic resources available, including guidance from local mentors drawn from government, businesses, and non-profit organizations. What truly stood out was the incredible diversity among participants, ranging from school students to university students, entrepreneurs, business professionals, and retirees.
My team, named A.I.R.R (Australian Innovative Recruitment Resources), presented our idea at the culmination of the EPIC challenge: a comprehensive application designed to connect both new and existing workers with job opportunities in the renewable sector. Our primary goal was fostering connections, not only with job opportunities but also with cultural centers, accommodations, networking opportunities, training, and more.
“Creating Opportunities Without Barriers”
We were fortunate enough to be announced as the winners of the event. The weeks that followed were a whirlwind of activity as we secured quotes from app developers, organized informative sessions, launched a social media campaign, and developed content, emails, and a website. We have received positive feedback from industry experts, indicating a genuine demand for our solution in addressing the workforce crisis currently impacting the rapidly expanding renewable sector.
We are deeply grateful for the opportunities that have unfolded since the launch of EPIC and, subsequently, A.I.R.R. We eagerly anticipate taking a leading role in providing sustainable solutions for Armidale, Australia, and the world in the coming years.”
