Category: Case Study

Building a startup is rarely a straight path, and for Iris Phan, it all started with a feeling many of us know too well: standing in front of a full closet and still thinking, I have nothing to wear. But instead of ignoring that frustration, Iris used it as fuel to create Dressi — a Tech-based personal styling app designed to help people dress with confidence and clarity. 

Balancing work, a creative side hustle and social obligations is no easy feat—but for Tanush, it’s become a path to personal growth, creative freedom, and even paid opportunities. As a budding content creator, Tanush has found a way to use social media not only as a creative outlet but also as a space for professional development.

Balancing study, work, and personal interests can feel overwhelming for many university students. But for Raynesh Charan, it's a challenge he's embraced. As a Western Sydney University student, a dedicated team member at Launch Pad, and a content creator with over 500,000 views on TikTok.

For 17-year-old Sophareach Mann, the idea of studying in Australia had never crossed his mind. Like many ambitious students in Cambodia, his higher-education aspirations were centered on universities in the United States. But then came the Venture Makers Innovation Challenge, a competition that would challenge his thinking in ways he never expected.

Can passion, purpose, and business truly intersect? Or do entrepreneurs always have to choose between doing what they love, making an impact, and building something financially sustainable? For Nandeeta Maharaj, founder of Goods 4 Good, the answer is clear: it’s possible to have all three—but it takes courage, patience, and a willingness to challenge assumptions.