MEDIA
RELEASE
University
Communications
View RMIT media
releases and
find experts:
rmit.edu.au/newsroom
MELBOURNE
BRUNSWICK
BUNDOORA
FISHERMANS BEND
POINT COOK
HAMILTON
HO CHI MINH CITY
HANOI
Online events start-up wins major RMIT business prize
An online service that helps clubs and community groups organise events, manage
volunteers and raise funds has won RMIT University’s prestigious 2009 Business
Plan Competition, which helps turn student business dreams into reality.
The web-based business venture, ourevent.info, was awarded $30,000 in prizes at
a gala awards ceremony last night.
Team Leader Paul Monks, of Croydon, said it was amazing to see the business
start-up receive such high recognition from the many industry leaders who judged
the Business Plan Competition, which this year awarded a total of $98,000 in
prizes.
"It has been an intense and rewarding experience going through the competition”
Mr Monks said.
“We really appreciate all the support we received from the organisers, mentors and
judges.
“Winning has invigorated our enthusiasm to implement our concept, enter the
market, survive and thrive."
The annual RMIT Business Plan Competition is open to all RMIT students
worldwide and encourages teams to create innovative businesses and ideas
through the development of competitive business plans.
Ourevent.info was awarded the $25,000 RMIT University First Prize and also
received a $5,000 International Trade Award sponsored by the City of Melbourne.
RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Margaret Gardner AO, said the
competition was a chance for students to creatively apply their ingenuity and
develop their business skills.
“The RMIT Business Plan Competition has supported student entrepreneurship for
nine years and is one of the largest of its kind in Australia,” Professor Gardner said.
“As well as the winning events start-up, fresh ideas from this year’s finalists
included innovative business concepts for a sustainable cake delivery venture, a
private high school in Vietnam and a design consultancy for green renovations.
“We warmly congratulate all the prize winners, finalists and entrants in the 2009
competition.”
The following RMIT student businesses were also winners in 2009:
Fuji Xerox Australia 2nd Prize ($10,000) – Love Bites, a green and ethical start-
up that uses bicycles to deliver boutique Fair Trade cakes and treats to inner-city
cafes. Team Leader is Bella Tomasone, of Brunswick.
15 October, 2009
MEDIA
RELEASE
University
Communications
View RMIT media
releases and
find experts:
rmit.edu.au/newsroom
MELBOURNE
BRUNSWICK
BUNDOORA
FISHERMANS BEND
POINT COOK
HAMILTON
HO CHI MINH CITY
HANOI
Merchantlink 3rd Prize ($5,000) – Hanoi Premier High School, a private
Vietnamese school providing a pathway for students wishing to gain entry into
international tertiary institutions. Team Leader is Nick Carrillo, of Hanoi.
The LiTMUS Environmental Sustainability Award ($10,000), Citipower and
Powercor Australia Energy Innovation Award ($5,000) and GrantReady Award
for Excellence ($5,000) – Greenovate, a design consultancy offering advice and
solutions for green renovations and improving your home’s environmental
performance. Team Leader is Monique Brady, of Carlton.
City of Melbourne Creative Industries Award ($5,000) – The KNO Project, an
innovative networking website that fosters collaborations by bringing together
emerging artists, designers and clients. Team Leader is Jonathon Kirk, of Carlton.
Portmans Fashion and Textiles Industry Prize ($5,000) – Lydra, unique eco-
friendly clutch purses made in Melbourne from pre-loved fabrics, available in stores
and online (www.lydra.com.au). Team Leader is Linda Vydra, of Cheltenham.
All winning teams also share in $20,000 of professional legal services from Lewis
Holdway Lawyers.
For interviews: Team Leader, ourevent.info, Paul Monks, 0402 852 566.
For interviews with other Team Leaders and general media enquiries:
RMIT University Communications, Gosia Kaszubska, (03) 9925 3176 or 0417
510 735.
NEWS 
