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
Venture Makers Innovation Challenge 9: Next Stop: NSW - Reimagining the Future of Travel
Next Stop: NSW
Reimagining the Future of Travel
Launch Pad is hosting the ninth Venture Makers Innovation Challenge on 9 September 2025 in partnership with industry partner Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI).
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.
Watch a recap of the day here!
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 work with participants from various disciplines (from Business, Communications, ICT, to Health, Psychology and others), to explore the Future of Travel.
REGISTER TODAY! Registrations close Friday, 5 September 2025, 11.59 AM (noon) or when capacity is reached.
“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
Get ready for take-off!
The Challenge Question
"How might Western Sydney International Airport become catalyst to transform the way people discover, access, and explore Greater Sydney and NSW?"
The opening of Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine the travel experience. With its strategic location and state-of-the-art infrastructure, the airport can be more than a transit hub — it can be a launchpad for new experiences, connections, and innovations.
How might we design bold solutions that transform the way people interact with the airport and discover what NSW has to offer? Your challenge is to develop ideas, concepts, or technologies that create a more engaging, seamless, and innovative experience for all travellers.
Participants will work with mentors from startups, industry, and the innovation ecosystem to explore advanced technologies, creative service models, and fresh approaches — all while working in a real-world environment.
Participants will come as individuals to meet and join forces with other participants from other disciplines to make an impact! It is a great way to connect.
The Challenge Themes
Digital & Data-Driven Experiences
Sustainable Tourism Innovation
Inclusive & Accessible Tourism
Brand & Visitor Perception
Discoverability & Bookings
The Prizes
$8,750
Prize Pool
First prize
$1,000*
Plus the ultimate WSI experience
Including exclusive tour, mentorship opportunity, 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
29
August
Missed the infosession?
Watch the recording
Challenge Day
9
September
The Innovation Challenge is a whole-day event.
Time: 8.30 AM – 5.00 PM
Location: Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport
REGISTER TODAY! Registrations close Friday, 5 September 2025, 11.59 AM (noon) or when capacity is reached.
Program Outline
See past challenge recap
Photos from the challenge
Read about the challenge day!
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.