David Dixon, 2012 Social Entrepreneur (Anthill 30under30)
David Dixon's journey started with one girl, an orphan in Uganda who was unable to pay her school fees. As Dixon helped her pursue her education, he learned just how much odds are stacked against young women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa. It's common for girls to miss school during their periods, and facing sexual assault is more common than graduating. Many don't attend school at all. Dixon is fighting the odds and making education achievable...One Girl at a time.
Fai Wong, 2012 Anthill 30under30 Intrapreneur
Fai Wong has taken an unique route to noteworthy. At Social Startup 48 in Sydney, Wong had the happenstance to meet the founder of Start Some Good, whose crowdfunding-for-charity platform closely corresponded to his own vision for a startup. "It was all just too coincidental so I emailed them to express my interest to be more than just an employee," says Wong, who is now chief technology officer. "Other people would not have thought outside the box and approached them like I did!"
Cool Company Awards Readers’ Choice [MAKE YOUR VOTE]
The Cool Company Awards Readers’ Choice Index was created to provide an opportunity for Anthill readers to vote on Cool Company Award finalists, in...
It was the night before Christmas, and all through the house, Tracy Morgan was...
The classic Christmas tale from 1823, also known as a Visit from St. Nicholas, gets a modern update from Tracy Morgan (From 30 Rock and, Saturday Night Live fame).
Australia’s most ‘remarkable’ companies go wild at the 7th annual Cool Company Awards
The Coolest Company accolade was awarded to app developer Budge for creating a way to make gaming meaningful. “When is losing fun? When charities win,” said Tuckerman.
Meet Budge, Anthill 2012 Cool Company Award Winner [Coolest Company 2012]
Budge is a mobile app that ties charitable giving to friendly competitions. Whatever the challenge, the loser has to give a small donation to the charity of the victor's choice.
Meet Voztec Helmets, Anthill 2012 Cool Company Award Winner [Innovation Category]
This helmet doesn't just look super cool, it feels like it. In place of the usual chin strap, an adjustable chin cup and rolled lower edge hold the helmet in place for a tight, comfortable fit. The helmet also comes apart in the back via a safety release mechanism, which means, simply, less post-accident trauma and easier removal.
Meet Pie Face, Anthill 2012 Cool Company Award Winner [Big Kahuna Category]
This isn't your grandfather's meat pie. Quick service upstart Pie Face is challenging perceptions of what the iconic comfort food can be: reinventing pies with fresh ingredients and flavours, and bringing them to the world.
Meet Yellowfin, Anthill 2012 Cool Company Award Winner [Global Growth Category]
Yellowfin's innovation is a single integrated platform that brings all the tools of business intelligence into one place. And Yellowfin is making a splash well beyond Australian shores, counting a partnership network of more than 150 organisations in over 40 countries.
Meet StageBitz, Anthill 2012 Cool Company Award Winner [X-Factor Category]
StageBitz is a service that is changing the entertainment business for the good. In the past, prop masters (for example) always made their own lists of materials in inventory inside a desktop office application like Word, then emailed it to someone else working in Excel, and then printed it out and ticked each item off in pencil. Now, with StageBitz, users can put their entire inventory up in the cloud with photos to boot!
Meet Doin Time, Anthill 2012 Cool Company Award Finalist [Social Capitalist Category]
Since 2007, Doin Time has been a portal between the "real" world and one that gets easily tucked away. The company manufactures and embroiders T-shirts, polos and shorts -- employing inmates within the confines of a maximum security prison.
Meet Tweaky, Anthill 2012 Cool Company Award Winner [Online Business Category]
Tweaky is a marketplace for website customization. The company will make a small tweak for SME websites for a small fee. Tweaks may range from installing a new company logo, adding an email subscription form, reducing the size of the footer, or embedding social media sharing links. If your company has already outsourced the design of your website, Tweaky is there to help you make those inevitable, subtle tweaks as needed.
Meet Hub Melbourne, Anthill 2012 Cool Company Award Winner [Micro Business Category]
What is cooler than a workspace in a ballroom? Well, not much that we can think of. Hub Melbourne is just such a place – and they make time to celebrate with a weekly “winedown.” (Sounds like my kind of place). What's more: the company is urging and facilitating collaboration like no other.
Meet NoQ, Anthill 2012 Cool Company Award Finalist [Online Business Category]
NoQ was born from a moment of inspiration on the part of its founder, Brad Moran. In 2011, Moran found himself waiting in line for a movie but wanting to get some food without loosing his spot. The scenario got him to thinking of way that he could pre-order and pay with his mobile so that he could grab his food and go without additional queue time waiting for the food. Voila! NoQ was born.
Meet Jason L, Anthill 2012 Cool Company Award Finalist [Online Business Category]
Jason L is a relatively young startup providing unique, commercial quality office furniture. The company sells direct to the public at wholesale prices, leading to discounts of up to 40%. The best part is that Jason L offers fully customized, ergonomic designs that ship fast, direct to your door. That's right – if you see something on the company's website that you like but would like another colour, the company will build to suit. Now that's thinking convenience.
Meet Super Speak, Anthill 2012 Cool Company Award Finalist [Micro Business Category]
Super Speak is innovative for recognizing that most adolescent speaking courses were actually borne out of adult curricula, and as such, was always a little daunting for the little ones. Now, the content is 100% cool and totally kid friendly, thanks to Super Speak. Now, the team at Super Speak is bent on making speech fun for kids – and the company is having a rollicking time itself in the process.
Meet Concept Safety Systems, Anthill 2012 Cool Company Award Finalist [Innovation Category]
Concept Safety Systems introduced a way to fast-track businesses en route to compliance with Federal and State safety laws. Firemen and regulators alike have given their approval. If you're in Queensland, there's a good chance CSS will know its way around your office better than you do.
Meet Nimble, Anthill 2012 Cool Company Award Finalist [Online Business Category]
Nimble lending is a fresh, convenient way for Australians to borrow money whenever they find themselves in a jam. Started in 2005 by Sean Teahan and Greg Ellis, Nimble lets borrowers receive loans of up to $600 via a fast approval process online. Loans are paid within an hour of applying and run for 45 days. According to the company, Nimble is the fastest service of its kind in Australia.
Meet Safe Sleep Space, Anthill 2012 Cool Company Award Finalist [Micro Business Category]
Safe Sleep Space is company engaged in the noble cause of helping families get a good night's sleep – by helping babies sleep better. Since most parents will tell you that sleep can be a rarity up until one year of age, Safe Sleep Space is providing one heck of a service. (Believe me, I'm a father of two!)
Meet Jetts, Anthill 2012 Cool Company Award Finalist [Global Growth Category]
In the push to make gyms more accessible and less inflexible, Jetts has leapt over expectations, replacing question marks with exclamation points. Open 24 hours? You betcha! Stuffy contracts and steep membership fees? Not at all!
