{"id":44240,"date":"2023-10-20T15:34:31","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T15:34:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/startupsmart.test\/2023\/10\/20\/aussie-startup-a-microsoft-imagine-cup-winner-startupsmart\/"},"modified":"2023-10-20T15:34:31","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T15:34:31","slug":"aussie-startup-a-microsoft-imagine-cup-winner-startupsmart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.startupsmart.com.au\/uncategorized\/aussie-startup-a-microsoft-imagine-cup-winner-startupsmart\/","title":{"rendered":"Aussie startup a Microsoft Imagine Cup winner – StartupSmart"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Australian startup Opaque Multimedia<\/a>, which has developed a virtual and augmented reality platform that improves outcomes for people living with dementia, has won the World Citizenship Category at Microsoft\u2019s Imagine Cup.<\/p>\n

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Opaque Multimedia\u2019s Virtual Dementia Experience uses virtual reality to simulate the effects of dementia, so carers and families can gain a better understanding of what those living with the disorder are going through.<\/p>\n

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The startup, founded by Swinburne University students James Bonner, Liam McGuire, Chris Mackenzie and Norman Wang, beat teams from around the globe to win the World Citzenship Category and the $50,000 prize that comes with it.<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s the second year in a row that an Australian team has taken out a major award at the Imagine Cup. Last year Team Eyenaemia was crowned Microsoft Imagine Cup World Champions<\/a> for its technology solution that can diagnose anaemia with nothing more than a selfie.<\/p>\n

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Opaque Multimedia has been working closely with Alzheimer\u2019s Australia Victoria to roll out the technology. It can be set up as a permanent installation, but also has the advantage of being able to be delivered via a cheap solution such as Google Cardboard. Crucially that allows not-for-profit organisations to use the technology as a teaching tool for carers and families everywhere.<\/p>\n

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Mackenzie says the $50,000 prize will be used to further develop the product in conjunction with Alzheimer\u2019s Victoria. In addition to the $50,000 the startup also get to take part in a Bootcamp hosted by Microsoft YouthSpark, where the team will receive tailored advice on how to grow and develop their idea.<\/p>\n

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The competition was judged by Hololens inventor Alex Kipman, Minecraft lead developer Jens Bergensten and Thomas Middleditch, an actor on HBO\u2019s Silicon Valley<\/i>.<\/p>\n

Mackenzie says the expertise of the judges and those delivering the bootcamp is what makes it such a valuable experience. Especially given the startup is already looking towards expansion and dealing with the challenges associated with it.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019ve already got a very strong partner (Alzheimer\u2019s Australia Victoria) so our options are wide open at the moment,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe VDE has paid for itself so far. We\u2019ve got a few people talking to local Alzheimer\u2019s organisations to work on a crowdsourced model.<\/p>\n

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\u201cNow we\u2019re working out how to take this from something that is centred in Australia, which can be rolled out around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Raising your<\/i> first round of capital<\/i><\/a>? Starting a<\/i> crowdfunding campaign<\/i><\/a>? Want to grow your business<\/i> with Instagram?<\/i><\/a> StartupSmart School can help.<\/i><\/p>\n

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