Showcasing aged care, transport and mental health innovations

Sparked by his niece's family's experience in the aged care sector and the shocking stories to emerge from the aged care royal commission, David Reidy put his computer science skills to great use.

A physics graduate from the University of Sydney, David has been developing a startup called uCare – a suite of software aimed at improving communication between people in care facilities and their families, and one of the seven finalists to compete in the Genesis final.

The idea for uCare was born after his niece needed to move an elderly family member into residential care.

“The lack of communication between the facility and the family was very hard on all of them. It was also the first time she had been separated from her husband since marrying,” David explained.

“I thought we could help by making it much easier for families to stay in contact with their elderly relatives.”

He started developing uCare 18 months ago while teaching part-time, speeding up development full-time after the royal commission was announced.

The software features a constant flow of messages from facilities to families but also families to residents with tracked messaging and multimedia available.

“All the feedback we’ve had from nurses and managers has been really positive. Genesis has really helped us define what we want to do, based on realistic business models and introducing us to mentors who’ve given us guidance,” he adds.

Now in its 11th year, the Genesis competition has had an impressive 1,424 participants through the program, with many going on to launch profitable businesses.

“The program pairs budding entrepreneurs with mentors who know the business of startups inside out and academics with the foundational knowledge needed for long-term success,” said Professor Leanne Cutcher, Head of the Discipline of Strategy and Entrepreneurship in the Business School.

The winner of this semester’s program will receive $25,000 worth of prize money.

“Genesis is a network of innovators. Attending the final will allow investors to see what our next generation of entrepreneurs have to offer,” said Professor Cutcher.

The finalists who will exhibit their startups this Friday include:

• Adatree – solutions for Consumer Data Right compliance for various banking systems
• Catalyser – software for businesses to grow, manage and report on their community impact
• Compass IoT -  a digital transport management platform that can detect anomalies and predict events for buses, trains and trams
• Interval Weight Loss – a weight loss program developed by Dr Nick Fuller from the Boden Institute at the Charles Perkins Centre
• Nook – a mobile modular workspace or “huddle pod” allowing for privacy in open-plan offices
• Open Parachute – online video-based mental health programs for high school students and teachers
• uCare – software to ensure quality, safety and excellence in aged and disability care

After completing a Master of Commerce at the University of Sydney in 2013, Tom Pastro teamed up with clinical psychologist Dr Hayley Watson on Open Parachute; a mental health prevention and awareness program for high schools.

“Being a part of Genesis has provided our team with the confidence and insight we needed to truly embrace the international marketplace,” said Dr Watson.

“We have learned how to set meaningful targets for ourselves, and how to make strategic decisions on a big picture level for our business.”