Albury Wodonga Sharks on the Murray 

Are you an entrepreneur, start-up, or industry disruptor? Do you have a big idea?

Then this is your opportunity to pitch your innovative business idea or invention with our panel of entrepreneurial and business experts. This event is intended to support innovation in the Albury Wodonga region by providing funding, advice, networking, and promotional opportunities.

Today, Albury Business Connect is one of NSW leading Chambers of Commerce. We recognise that we have many innovative people in our community and we want to support their dreams!

Announcing Albury-Wodonga’s first “Sharks on the Murray” event. That’s right, the Albury Business Connect team are looking to harness innovation and showcase new business ideas across our two cities.

Our vision is to provide a launchpad for our best new ideas to be promoted and with your support, become a new part of our business community. Just like similar events, we will be hosting a “pitch” night, where our finalists will navigate our shark-infested waters hoping to swim their way to success.

The overall program will involve two categories:

1. New ideas, where we will hear from individuals or teams that have a great idea, and need a launchpad.
2. Existing businesses that want to create a complimentary product or venture, that are seeking some support.

Entry Categories

Both categories are FREE to enter.

Sharks

Terms and Conditions

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must reside within a 70km radius of the Albury Post Office.
• Must present a unique or innovative idea as judged by the panel.
• Must not have filed for bankruptcy in the past five years or been subject to court proceedings in the past 12 months from the date of entry registration. This also applies to any business owned, previously owned, or relied upon for leadership credentials.
• Must not own or be employed by a business that is trading insolvent or subject to litigation, insolvency, or bankruptcy proceedings that could negatively impact personal or business reputation.
• Any conflicts of interest must be declared upon entry.
• Must be willing to participate fully in the competition and ensure representatives are available for required events and media opportunities.
• Existing businesses may apply; however, the venture must be new.

Ineligible Applicants:

• Employees or board members of:
  o Albury Business Connect
  o Business Wodonga
  o AlburyCity
  o Aligned partners and judges
  o Sponsors of Shark on the Murray
• Franchisees
• Businesses with 20 or more employees

Application Requirements:

• Entries open at 8:00am (AEST) on Monday 3 March 2025 and close at 11:00 pm (AEST) on Sunday 13 April 2025 (“Competition Period”).
• Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their application.
• One application per business or business owner/partner.
• Projects receiving funding must commence after funding/prize is awarded.
• Applicants may not receive individual feedback on their submissions.

Judging and Selection:

• Judging will be based on the original submission and pitch criteria, including innovation, feasibility, market potential, and impact. The panel’s decision is final; however, participants may request written feedback. If a conflict of interest is identified among judges, the event organisers reserve the right to assign an alternative judge to ensure fairness.
• Pitches will be judged on the viability of the entry to be a sustainable business, provide a benefit to our region and provide an innovative solution to a problem.
• Three finalists from each of the two categories will be selected to pitch their submissions.
• The organisers have absolute discretion in determining eligibility, including conflict of interest concerns. All decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
• Judges and organisers will treat all submissions with respect and confidentiality, but applicants should be mindful that pitches are presented in a public forum.
• Judges and organisers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest. Any individual with a declared conflict will be recused from judging any application related to that conflict.
• The winners will be determined by a panel of judges and announced at the live Pitch Night event.

Intellectual Property (IP) Rights & Confidentiality:

• All applicants retain full ownership of their intellectual property and business ideas presented during the event. The organisers, judges, and mentors shall not claim any rights over the ideas pitched during the competition. By applying, participants acknowledge that their pitches will be made public and that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. It is the participant’s responsibility to protect their IP before presenting.
• Applicants retain all intellectual property rights to their submissions. However, by entering the competition, applicants grant Albury Business Connect and affiliated partners a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use submitted materials for promotional purposes.
• Submitted materials, such as photos and videos may be used by Albury Business Connect and its partners to promote future competitions.

Funding Restrictions:

• Activities funded through cryptocurrency, barter, or services in-kind.
• Illegal or illicit activities.
• Salaries of the applicant or their employees.
• Payments for services or fees to related parties (companies with common shareholdings, directors, employees, or immediate family members).
• Travel expenses.
• Payment of GST or GST registration.
• Maintenance of existing digital technologies.
• Delivery fees or credit card fees.
• Purchasing existing businesses or assets.
• Debt repayment.
• Lobbying or political activities.
• Large capital expenditures (e.g., building purchase).

Use of Prizes:

• Prize money awarded should be used to further develop the business or idea presented in the competition. Winners may be asked to provide a brief update within six or twelve months outlining how the funds have supported their progress. This is to help showcase the impact of the program and ensure ongoing opportunities for participants.
• The prize money must be used within 6 months of being awarded.
• Prizes are only valid for 6 months from 13 May 2025.
• Prize money must be used to support the development of the business venture presented in the competition.
• The organisers reserve the right to request a report on how the funds were utilised.

Withdrawal & Disqualification:

• Albury Business Connect reserves the right to verify all applications and disqualify any applicant who has breached these terms or engaged in misconduct. Consequences of disqualification may include forfeiture of any prizes.
• Applicants may withdraw their application by submitting a written request to membership@alburybusiness.com.au.
• If a finalist withdraws or is disqualified, Albury Business Connect reserves the right to replace them with another shortlisted applicant or leave the spot vacant.
• Albury Business Connect reserves the right to verify all applications and disqualify any applicant who has breached these terms or engaged in misconduct.

General Terms:

• Instructions on how to enter and details of the Prize form part of these Terms and Conditions. Participation in the Sharks on The Murray Competition constitutes acceptance of these Terms.
• The competition is conducted by Albury Business Connect 8/512 Swift Street Albury NSW 2640 Australia.
• The cash prizes consists of a total pool of AU $1000 x 2 categories winners and $500 x 2 categories runners up.
• Albury Business Connect reserves the right to follow up with the finalists 6 months after 13 May 2025.
• Albury Business Connect is not responsible for incomplete or lost applications due to technical issues.
• Albury Business Connect reserves the right to modify or cancel the competition if unforeseen circumstances arise.
• Competition finalists must be available to present their pitch at the Pitch Night event on Tuesday 13 May 2025.
• Winners consent to their name, image, and likeness being used for promotional purposes.
• Personal information collected will be handled in accordance with Albury Business Connect’s privacy policy and may be used for promotional and marketing purposes.
• By entering, applicants agree to comply with these Terms and acknowledge that all decisions made by the Promoter are final.
• These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New South Wales, Australia.
• These Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement between the organisers and the participants.
• If any provision of the Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Liability:

Albury Business Connect and its affiliates are not liable for any loss, damage, or costs incurred by participants as a result of entering or participating in the competition.