Acustico Design
Acustico Design
The Problem
Poor acoustics have an adverse effect on the enjoyment of a public or commercial space.
The Solution
The first lighting range in the world that uses special materials and construction methods to absorb up to 30% of mid-range frequency noise.
Founder: Samantha McKenzie
“Foundry658 was a fast-paced, exhilarating snap-shot of all the areas a founder must navigate when starting out. The lean- methodology used, makes for a confronting deep dive into your business idea/model. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to test and validate their idea in a short space of time.”
Crafted Matter
Crafted Matter
The Problem
We’ve changed so much as a people in the last 50 years but the fashion industry, the second most polluting industry in the world, hasn’t.
The Solution
Crafted Matter redefines how we engage fashion and consume clothing by going beyond the traditional fashion retail experience to co-create value with our audience and produce less waste in the process.
Founders: Hugh Reed and Yavi Bermejo
Memento Media
Memento Media
The Problem
We often miss capturing the most important stories in our lives; our family’s.
The Solution
Memento Media is redefining the way families capture their history with our multi-generational, living family archives. Our Discovery Cards and Memory Bank App capture the stories, and our range of products turn them into engaging and shareable mementos.
Founder: Jessica Ferrari
“Foundry658 gave me the knowledge, confidence and momentum to dare to be a creative entrepreneur. It was the most productive three weeks I’ve spent working on my business. Ever.”
OK Motels
OK Motels
The Problem
There are so many amazing tourist destinations in regional Victoria currently experiencing huge visitation. But the little towns in between, which offer their own incredible unique experiences are getting left behind.
The Solution
OK Motels curates contemporary, nostalgic road trips, events and experiences, throughout regional Australia, encouraging the younger visitors to towns they may never had heard of or ever thought of visiting.
Founder: Kate Berry
“Foundry658 made me step out of my creative comfort zone and look at my business in a totally different way. Instead of just concentrating on being creative, I was forced to look at, and question, how to make it sustainable and able to grow. With the help of the mentors, this made this uncomfortable process a lot easier.”
Queer Town
Queer Town
The Problem
LGBTIQA+ digital media is most often, US- centric, doom and gloom, solely educational, pitched at a non-queer audience, scattered and inconsistent.
The Solution
Queer Town an original digital media hub that includes a diverse range of video series, podcast series and writing. Created by queer people, for queer people, content will be Australia-centric, celebrate diverse and intersectional voices, and reflect the fun and vibrant community.
Founders: Archie Boulter and Grace Carey
“The Foundry658 Bootcamp helped to take our business to the next level. With the guidance of the business coaches and support of the cohort, we were able to build an exciting level of momentum in a short time.”
Scanlan & Makers
Scanlan & Makers
The Problem
There is a gap between the commercial paint, art and interior design industries.
The Solution
Scanlan & Makers offer custom-made colour, artisan painted finishes and technical paint advice for the industry in order to help others experience life in full colour.
Founders: Clare Scanlan and Shannon Wylde
The Big Feels Club
The Big Feels Club
The Problem
Each day eight Australians take their own life, and with a straining mental health system, where else can you turn for help?
The Solution
We make refreshing content about having big feelings that doesn’t make you feel like a broken human and makes you feel less alone.
Founders: Honor Eastly and Graham Panther
“Foundry658 offers creatives a refreshing approach to business that works well for creative endeavours, but is also quite rare to come across in creative endeavours! Fantastic mentorship, optimistic and can-do approach, principles that you can utilise now and forever.”
Threshold
Threshold
The Problem
Contemporary Australian society doesn’t really have rituals that mark different moments in life.
The Solution
A personalised interactive experience that connects you and your teen as they move from childhood to adulthood.
Founders: Sarah Lockwood and Tahli Corin
The Accelerator is at the heart of Foundry658. It is an intensive, 12-week skills-building program providing tailored advice, networking opportunities and mentoring support for ready-to-scale business ideas. The Foundry658 Accelerator is focused on high-growth potential and market-ready projects.
To benefit fully from the program, participants must demonstrate the potential for scaleable innovation or the potential to transform their creative idea into increased commercial outcomes. Financial investment of $20,000 per project is offered in addition to mentorship and bespoke business coaching.
The Foundry658 Accelerator will culminate in a public Demo Day event for potential investors, partners and creative community peers.
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