Pitch Sprint
In partnership with
Bold ideas. Start ups that deserve to be seen. Women creating change.
Are you a woman founder based in Western Sydney with a bold idea or fast growing venture?
We’re inviting applications for the Innovation Pitch Sprint, a live showcase of founders at the Western Sydney Innovation Connect: Women x Industry Summit on 3 March 2026.
Selected finalists will receive mentoring and a platform to showcase their venture to industry leaders, investors and policymakers. The pitch winner will receive a curated business mentoring package, connecting them to key people in their industry.
Free to enter. Submit a 90-second video and fill out the application form.
Applications close 22nd January 2026. Finalists will be announced in early February 2026.
Watch this video by Nikki Meller, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Women in AI Australia and Founder & CEO of CREDuED, to learn more about the Innovation Pitch Sprint and why you should apply.
Helpful Links
Application Process
We invite women innovators from Western Sydney to apply for the Innovation Pitch Sprint, a curated program leading to a live pitch opportunity at the Western Sydney Innovation Connect Summit.
The application process starts with a short 90-second video submission. This video is your opportunity to share your idea, your perspective, and the problem you are solving, clearly, confidently, and in your own words.
Who Should Apply
This opportunity is for women founded ventures (minimum 51% women owned) that are:
Based in, live in, or work in Western Sydney
Addressing challenges across housing, energy, manufacturing, technology, or sustainability
Ready to explore industry partnerships, pilots, or procurement opportunities
You do not need a polished pitch deck or production-quality video. Clarity, thinking, and impact matter more than polish.
How to Apply
Step 1: Prepare Your 90 Second Video
Your video should answer the following four prompts. You do not need slides.
1. The Problem (Why this matters)
What problem are you solving?
Who is affected, and why is this problem urgent?
2. Your Solution (What you’re building)
What is your solution, product, or innovation?
How does it work at a high level?
3. The Impact (Why it’s different)
What makes your idea distinct or innovative?
How could it support outcomes in housing, energy transition, or local manufacturing?
4. The Opportunity (What comes next)
What are you hoping to explore through the Pitch Sprint?
Tip: Speak as if you’re explaining your idea to someone who you just met. Some people call it the pub test, some people call it your elevator pitch. Just be yourself and keep it simple.
Video Guidelines
Length: 90 seconds maximum
Format: Any clear video format. Phone recordings work best.
Style: Single speaker preferred
Visuals: Optional, but not required
Audio: Clear audio is more important than visuals
Step 2: Complete the Application Form
You will be asked to provide more information, including your video.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
Upload your video directly in the application form, as required.
Submit your completed application before the closing date.
You will receive a confirmation email once your application is received.
What Happens Next
Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel.
The finalists will be selected to participate in the Innovation Pitch Sprint mentoring program.
Selection Focus
Applications will be assessed on:
Clarity of the problem and solution
Alignment with one or more challenge streams
Potential for real world application or pilot
Evidence of thoughtful, scalable innovation
Founder readiness and commitment to the program
Intellectual Property
You retain full ownership of all intellectual property submitted. Your video and materials will not be shared beyond the selection process without consent.
A Final Note
You don’t need to have everything figured out to apply. The Innovation Pitch Sprint exists to support, refine, and elevate ideas, not to reward polish or perfection. If you have an idea with potential and the drive to explore real impact, we encourage you to put yourself forward.
Problem Statements Pack
Applicants should align with one or more of the problem statements below by demonstrating how their innovation reduces cost, time, complexity, waste, or barriers across housing, construction, or community energy systems. This might be through technology, design, materials, digital tools, improved processes, or new models that support faster, smarter, more affordable outcomes
Stream: Innovation
Problem Statement 1: Accelerating Build Times Through Modular Innovation
Preamble: Modular housing is highlighted as an example of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), which includes prefabricated buildings or modules constructed off site and assembled on site. Benefits of modular housing include reduced construction times (by 20-50%), improved labour efficiency, enhanced quality and safety, and reduced waste (NSW Productivity and Equality Commission, 2024).
Australia is actively promoting modular construction to address housing shortages and improve efficiency. The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has developed guidance to facilitate the increased use of prefabricated and modular construction technologies that comply with the National Construction Code (NCC, 2022). We are seeking modular construction solutions that can reduce residential build times by 30% while maintaining compliance with the NCC.
You align with problem statement 1 if your idea:
Improves speed, efficiency, or quality of construction or assembly
Reduces waste, materials cost, or labour hours
Helps builders, planners, or assessors work faster, safer, or more accurately
Digitises or automates parts of the approvals, design, or compliance process
Introduces new materials, systems, or tools that reduce on site build stages
Offers tech that improves coordination, scheduling, or manufacturing workflow.
Stream: Technology
Problem Statement 2: Closing the Affordability Gap with Tech Enabled Housing
Preamble: New South Wales is facing a significant housing supply crisis, with a target to build 377,000 homes by mid 2029 under the National Housing Accord (2022). However, recent trends show a decline in new dwelling completions and building approvals, indicating a pressing need for effective solutions (NSW Productivity and Equality Commission, 2024).
Smart home technologies are increasingly being recognised for their role in reducing housing costs and improving energy efficiency. Features like smart thermostats, energy efficient lighting, and security systems can contribute significantly to cost savings for residents. The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in homes allows for better energy management and predictive maintenance, further reducing operational costs. Housing costs continue to remain a major barrier, we are seeking tech driven approaches to decrease construction or operating costs by at least 20% for low-to-middle income housing.
You align with problem statement 2 if your idea:
Reduces operating costs, maintenance costs, or energy bills
Lowers the cost of construction through automation, design optimisation, or new digital tools
Uses technology to extend asset life, reduce breakdowns, or predict failures
Helps residents or housing providers manage energy, safety, or maintenance more efficiently
Improves access to low cost building methods or tech enabled housing models
Stream: Sustainability
Problem Statement 3: Community Electrification at Scale
Preamble: The NSW Government’s commitment to net zero emissions will require substantial investment in rebuilding and retrofitting infrastructure, including housing (Net Zero). The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) estimates that over 60,000 skilled workers will be needed to build and maintain energy infrastructure necessary for decarbonisation by 2050.
You align with problem statement 3 if your idea:
Supports renewable energy adoption
Reduces barriers to solar, battery storage, or electrification uptake
Helps communities understand, manage, or share energy use
Makes electrification more affordable, convenient, or accessible
Offers digital tools for energy trading, load management, or community planning
Enhances education, behaviour change, or community engagement in energy use
Stream: Open
Problem Statement 4: Wildcard innovation, technology and sustainability.
Preamble: Not all strong ideas fit neatly into a single category. This open stream exists to capture innovative solutions that don’t align directly with the other problem statements.
This stream welcomes ideas that demonstrate innovation, technology or sustainability in unexpected ways.
You align with problem statement 4 if your idea:
Doesn’t clearly fit within the other problem statements
Demonstrates innovation, technology, or sustainability in a new or creative way
Solves a problem or unlocks a new opportunity
Has potential to scale or be applied more broadly
Shows clear value, impact, or efficiency gains
Join us at Western Sydney Innovation Connect: Women x Industry
Western Sydney Innovation Connect: Women x Industry puts women founders at the centre of the conversation, showcasing world-class ideas, elevating emerging talent, and creating a powerful space to learn, connect and grow.
3 March 2026 • The Joan, Penrith
Founder FAQ
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Not at all. Many strong solutions sit across multiple streams. Choose the stream that best represents your primary focus.
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That’s expected. The Pitch Sprint exists to help you refine and strengthen your idea with expert support.
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No. A clear phone recorded video is fine. We are looking for clarity of thinking, not production quality.
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You’ll join a structured mentoring program with three online sessions and one face-to-face workshop with a live pitch opportunity at the Innovation Connect Summit.
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Yes. You retain full ownership of all intellectual property. Your materials will not be shared without your consent.
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That’s okay. The program is designed to build confidence and capability, especially for first time pitchers.
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Women innovators remain underrepresented in industry, procurement, and funding pathways. This program exists to create access, visibility, and opportunity, not to limit participation.
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Finalists gain valuable exposure, mentoring, and connections. Many outcomes from the summit are not limited to the pitch winner alone.
Thank you to our partners
Major Partner
Venue Partner
Pitch Sprint Partner
Silver Sponsor
Supporting Partner
Photo credit: Relise Photography (selected images). Additional imagery sourced from Western Sydney Women.