Nexus 2022 · Digital Economy
Supporting Melbourne and Australian innovative businesses to expand growth in Asia.
Supported by the City of Melbourne and the City of Nanjing, the Nexus program delivers a unique, prioritised pathway to market for local high tech and digital economy businesses looking to Asia for their next stages of growth.
Local high-tech and digital economy businesses looking to enter the Asian market can now apply for Nexus 2022 Program support and resources to develop and implement tailored market entry and growth plans.
The Nexus Program supports the success of participants by leveraging the city-to-city relationships between Melbourne and Nanjing; as well as the expertise of ACASE, Nanjing Pukou High-Tech Zone, Austrade Shanghai Landing Pad, RunwayHQ, and Global Victoria.
Prizes
The Nexus Program has a competitive entry process, and businesses should first apply online. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to pitch their emerging plans in the final Nexus pitch event on Thursday 20 October:
Cash Prizes
The top 6 Nexus Pitch winners will receive cash prizes including $5,000 for first place, $2,000 each for second and third, and $1,000 each for fourth, fifth and sixth.
Asia Market Sprint
All six will be awarded a fully funded place in the ACASE Asia Market Sprint program to further refine and then activate the Asian market entry plans.
Business Trip
The overall winner will also receive a funded five-day business trip to Nanjing!
Eligibility Criteria
You are expected to demonstrate the following:
- Genuine interest and commitment to commercialisation of their research, products, or services into the Asian Market.
- A proven business development approach with a clear growth pathway based on initial seed investments already made.
- Applications from businesses based in Melbourne will be prioritised. Entries from Victoria, Australia, and other jurisdictions are also encouraged.
Note: Entries will be assessed on a rolling basis (as they are received) so to ensure you don’t miss your opportunity to pitch please lodge your application online as soon as possible!
Congratulations to Winners!
Key Dates for Nexus 2022
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Nexus Program Applications Close – Midnight Friday 7 October
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Nexus Pitch Event Finalists Announced – Thursday 13 October
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Nexus Pitch Event – Thursday 20 October
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Nexus Pitch Event Winners Announced – Friday 21 October
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Asia Market Sprint Program – Commences TBC
Nexus 2022 Blog Posts
To view more information and articles about Nexus 2022 Digition Economy Competition
Previous Nexus Highlight
Previous Competitions and Events
"ACASE provided an important business and innovation link between Australia and China. China represents a huge opportunity for KERB's Smart Parking software solution, but entering the Chinese market is not easy! ACASE provided an important bridge for KERB into the Nanjing-Pukou K-Pouch Accelerator with a reputable government-backed organisation."
Rob Brown
CEO of Kerb Holdings Company Pty Ltd
"The Nexus competition is a great program. ACASE has extensive knowledge and experience in the local market and was able to assist in almost every aspect of the business along the way, which is critical for companies who have no or limited exposure to the Asia market."
Cindy
CEO of Equiprise
"Congratulations on the competition. Let’s collaborate more in the future through Nexus."
Jason Sun
Chief Executive Officer of Australia China Health Accelerator
"The event went off really well and was exceptionally well organised."
Dr Pavel Reddy
Managing Director from Clearpoint.ventures
"It’s a pleasure been part of the event - I can feel the quality."
Curt Shi
Co-founder, Welinder & Shi Capital, and founding partner of Imprint Capital Partners
"The Nexus startup program provided entrepreneurs with great support to research, launch and expand their business into the Chinese market. With the assistance of ACASE, Tanggram had valuable opportunities to be into the Nanjing-based K-Pouch Global Accelerator. The business support like market research, governance and mentoring the ‘Nexus startup program’ provided indeed helped companies to grow faster to the next level in the market."
Erica Xie
Co-founder & CGO of Tanggram
Contact us if you have any questions
