Turning Ideas in $1000 Winning Solutions
Mary Bul
May 13, 2024
“Big Problems. Big Solutions” – Brad Twynham If I were to summarise the Venture Makers Innovation Challenge (VMIC) in four words, it
AI and the
Future of
Transport and Mobility
Launch Pad hosted the eighth Venture Makers Innovation Challenge on 23 April 2025 in partnership with industry partner IBM.
Venture Makers is Launch Pad’s entrepreneurship training and development program for students, researchers and staff designed to build and support an entrepreneurial culture and ecosystem.
The Venture Makers Innovation Challenge put participants in the driver’s seat to solve an emerging problem and develop and communicate innovative ideas. The skills learnt from this challenge would be valuable whether they become an employee for any organisation or choose to become an innovator, inventor or entrepreneur.
In this ONE DAY challenge, teams worked with participants from various disciplines (from Business, Communications, ICT, to Health, Psychology and others), to explore Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Transport and Mobility.
“We walked away with camaraderie, pride, and appreciation, and shine brighter than we had before.”
SABRINA YOUNG
Bachelor of International Studies
Venture Makers Innovation Challenge Participant
“We were encouraged to be BOLD in our ideas. To think BIG and step into the unknown…”
MARY BUL
Bachelor of Medical Science
Venture Makers Innovation Challenge Participant
“This has helped me go beyond my comfort zone and is something I did not picture myself completing a couple years ago.”
MIKAYLA GARLAND
Bachelor of Communication
Venture Makers Innovation Challenge Participant
The Challenge Question
"How might we leverage AI to revolutionise transport and mobility in New South Wales?"
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with open transport data is reshaping the way people and goods move. With access to real-time and historical transport data from Transport for NSW Open Data Portal (opendata.transport.nsw.gov.au), there is an opportunity to create smarter, more efficient, and more accessible mobility solutions.
How might we leverage AI and open transport data to revolutionize transport and mobility in New South Wales (NSW)? Your challenge is to develop an AI-driven innovation that enhances public transport, traffic management, sustainability, accessibility, or freight and logistics using insights from real-time and historical datasets available on the Transport for NSW Open Data Portal.
Participants will work with specialist mentors from startups and industry to help them develop ideas that apply advanced technology concepts and innovative business models whilst working in a real-world environment.
Participants came as individuals to meet and join forces with other participants from other disciplines to make an impact! It was a great way to connect.
The Challenge Themes
AI for Real-Time Public Transport Optimization
Smart Traffic & Congestion Management
Sustainable & Green Mobility
Accessible & Inclusive Transport
AI for Freight & Logistics
Predictive Maintenance & Safety
The Prizes
$8,750
Prize Pool
First prize
$1,000*
Plus the ultimate IBM experience
Including mentoring, HQ visit, merch and more!
Runner up
$500*
People's choice
$250*
* All prizes are per team member and issued in vouchers.
Challenge Winners
1st Place
Team 6sense
Members:
Kripa Bhandari
Nimit Jain
Peter Catt
Deepanjali Shrestha
Pritam Roy
A modular, AI-powered system that learns from past failures, monitors current vehicle health in real-time, and triggers automated safety actions before breakdown happens – powered by a central prediction intelligence layer.
Runner Up
Team Steer Smart
Members:
Phuong Nguyen
Quency Bernales
Erdinc Bat
Puspita Parami
Aashish Neupane
Cognitive CabinTM is a smart truck system that helps keep drivers safe and alert by using AI to monitor fatigue, adjusting seating for comfort, reducing strain, switching to autopilot when needed, and calling for help in an emergency.
People's Choice
Team Travii
Members:
Eva Greenaway
Rafael Ottoni
Naima Anwar
Atharva Jyotishi
Tristan Trieu
Ramandeep
An AI-based interactive screen that facilitates smooth, integrated travel for physically & mentally impaired people; supported by an app to customise and educate individuals on services available.
The Benefits
Skills you will learn throughout the challenge
Soft Skills
1) Entrepreneurial Thinking
2) Problem Hacking
3) Non-verbal Communication skills
4) Radical Open-mindedness
5) Radical Creativity
6) Effective Brainstorming
7) Time Efficiency
8) Radical Empathy
9) Collaboration
Hard Skills
1) Conceptual Design
2) Pitching for Impact
3) Sustainable Development Goals
4) Innovation Hack Canvasing
5) Entrepreneurial Process
6) Sustainable Design
7) Corporate Presentation/Storytelling
Info Session
10
April
Get all the details you need to stay ahead of the game! Learn about the rules, the theme, and how to maximise your chances of success.
Challenge Day
23
April
The Innovation Chall was a whole-day event.
Time: 8.30 AM – 5.00 PM
Location: Parramatta City Campus
Program Outline
See past challenge recap
Photos from the challenge
Read about the challenge day!