Meet StartCon 2017 Pitch Finalists:

JAR Aerospace is a startup on the rise with aims of simultaneously redefining and igniting the Australian Aerospace industry.

As a Sydney-based startup, Jack Cullen, CEO and Bec Clements, the Executive Manager, attended StartCon in 2017 and participated in the StartCon pitch competition against 100+ other startups. JAR Aerospace was shortlisted to the semi-finals – before making their way into the grand final of the pitch competition, narrowly missing out on 1st place to Evan Wong’s Checkbox.ai, who received over $120,000 in prizes.

With a business that had already raised over $1.5 million in funding, JAR Aerospace was well on their way to success, even before attending StartCon in 2017. Their business has skyrocketed over the last 6-months, edging out 44 other bids to win a $275,000 government grant to develop a model for an unmanned aerial drone that can take off and land vertically. The grant was part of a program launched by the Australian Army in partnership with the Turnbull Government’s Defence Innovation Hub – a $640 million decade-long program providing funds to innovative defence companies.

In addition to the pitch competition, information sessions and seminars, Jack Cullen saw StartCon as:

“a good opportunity to present in front of a large group, plus plenty of great networking opportunities.”

Learning to pitch in front of a large audience has proved an invaluable experience for JAR Aerospace over the last 6 months, allowing them to win tenders, contracts and grow faster than they thought possible. They have since built a sustainable business with positive cash flow and strong revenue streams.

Jack’s advice for startups looking to attend StartCon in 2018, or the Regional Final Pitch Competitions:

“Use every event and opportunity you can to get the word out on your company and its operations”.

With approximately 25% of the two million drones sold globally being used in the military; Chinese and US firms dominate the market. If JAR’s model meets the army’s specifications they will receive a further $1 million in funding to build a fully functioning prototype by the end of 2018.

The future is bright for JAR Aerospace, as they work on building their presence in the Australian industry by establishing partnerships with research organisations. They are behind the innovation increasing the capabilities of the Australian Defence Force.

Now in its 9th year, StartCon is Australia’s largest startup and growth conference. The yearly event is a time for startups, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry suppliers to come together, network & grow as a community of innovators & industry disruptors.

For the last 3 years, StartCon has held a pitch competition within the 2 day event, where upcoming startups can pitch their business to an audience of investors, founders and potential partners, with first place winning over $120,000 in prizes. StartCon has now launched Asia Pacific’s largest startup pitch competition, Pitch for $1 Million, with Regional Finals happening across 15 cities in Asia. 

If you’re a startup looking for the opportunity to win $1 million in funding, and share your business with investors across Asia Pacific, register for your closest Pitch for $1 Million Regional Final now.