With a kernel of an idea, a new concept or something unique, anything can happen. Madderns is supporting the search for new ideas and the opportunity to connect businesses with innovators, by playing a role in the Australian eChallenge.

The Australian eChallenge " pre-accelerator is an entrepreneurship program founded by the University of Adelaide's Entrepreneurship Commercialisation and Innovation Centre, where teams including at least one student from any teaching institution nationally have an opportunity to learn how innovators create, develop, assess and action ideas for a business, app, product or service. It provides opportunities to interact with innovators from South Australian-based local and international businesses, industry leaders, and voluntary mentors.

Teams can win cash or prizes to assist them to launch a business. Notable past winners include Life Whisperer. Individuals and teams are eligible to enter categories including Open, Biogen, Agri-Food & Wine, Digital and Social Enterprise. The winners of the 2020 Australian eChallenge " will be announced at an awards lunch tomorrow, via livestream on Tuesday 1 December, 12:30pm to 1:30pm ACST.

Madderns partner and registered patent and trade mark attorney Bill McFarlane has been working with the Australian eChallenge since its inception 17 years ago and as a finals judge for many of those years. He sees it as an opportunity to guide and support student-based teams of entrepreneurs as they step up and present their concepts as a business plan.

"The Australian eChallenge provides an invaluable opportunity for budding entrepreneurs and innovators to find the right people to talk to, whether they be business mentors, government representatives, potential partners or patent and trade mark attorneys to help them understand their idea, design and brand protection options" Mr McFarlane said.

"The Australian eChallenge gives students and their team an opportunity to present to business people who can assist and support them during the early stages and learn from the process of creating a business plan. Team building, methods for idea assessment, market analysis and what it will take to deliver goods or services are available to all teams. All these activities are provided in an encouraging, convivial and collaborative environment, so who wouldn't want to be involved in the Australian eChallenge" pre-accelerator?"

"Madderns values being involved in the Australian eChallenge process as a way to contribute to the development of people and businesses of the future."