SA is full of innovation, as the “Connected Music City Challenge” project has confirmed.
Over several ‘TechJam‘ dates presented by Musitec, local entrepreneurs have developed and pitched concepts that connect music with technology.
We are excited to hear there are two joint winners who have just been announced today: Codefish Studios and Conor Barkway, with each receiving 12-months access to IBM’s Global Entrepreneurship Program, valued at $24,000. Dream Aviator Productions also received prizes.
Jack Haines’ Codefish Studios is working with iBeacon technology via a mobile app platform, which focuses on building communities of live music venues, gigs, an fans.
Conor Barkway’s concept, MUNITY, creates a digital medium in which “local live music lovers can connect and interact with each other after a shared interest in particular, live music scenes.”
Dream Aviator Productions also got a nod, receiving prizes in the form of a St Paul’s Creative Centre membership, a Venture Dorm scholarship, mentoring from Musitec, and a bonus $1000 from Challenge judge Philip Vafiadis – Chairman of Musitec and Innovyz. The team has an exciting concept that combines staging technology and live a/v streaming with live gigs.
Acting Manufacturing and Innovation Minister Leon Bignell acknowledged the local live music scene’s contribution to SA’s economy.
“In 2014, the industry contributed $263 million to the state’s economy, and generated 4,100 local jobs. Nationally, the music industry contributed around $15.7 billion to Australia’s economy,” he said.
“The Connected Music City Challenge encouraged local innovators to think about developing products and services that use technology to help activate Adelaide as a live music city,” he said.
The Challenge was delivered by SA music cluster organisation Musitec, which “bring teams together from within music and technology industries to collaborate, develop business models and ideas, and commercialise the ideas into the global market.” It was supported by the Adelaide City Council, IBM, Adelaide Fringe, Flinders New Venture Institute, and the State Government’s Music Development Office.
We can’t wait to see these concepts in action – well done to all participants. You are helping create the future of SA live music.
