“The workshops and learning sessions helped me develop the skills to present and articulate our startup idea in a much more polished and professional way.” – Gaji Sayem, HEX Sprint Innovation program participant.

When passion meets opportunity, remarkable things happen.

The recent HEX Sprint Innovation program in Melbourne brought together ambitious young entrepreneurs ready to make their mark on the world. 

A big shoutout to the generous support of Kliqtek and Zunalabs, talented founders like Natasha Nguyen, Gaji Sayem, and Michelle Yu, were able to participate through fully-funded scholarships. Their journeys showcase the transformative power of providing opportunities to passionate innovators.

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How Scholarships are Shaping Melbourne's Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

Revolutionising Recruitment: Charismate's Human-First Approach

Co-founders, Natasha and Gaji, entered the program with a clear mission: to make hiring more human. Their startup, Charismate, aims to bridge the gap between companies and student talent by moving away from impersonal AI-driven screening methods that currently dominate the recruitment landscape.

"With 80% of Australian employers using automated systems to filter resumes, many talented graduates are overlooked," explains Natasha. "We're creating a platform where companies can engage directly with students through real-world projects, leading to better hires and stronger teams."

The HEX Sprint program helped transform their vision into actionable steps. For Natasha, the B2B sales session with Sean Grealy was particularly impactful, providing practical strategies for customer outreach. “I entered the program with an idea and came out with a clearer vision and actionable steps to bring it to life.” – Natasha Nguyen.

Gaji highlights how mentoring sessions helped refine their value proposition: "After pitching and receiving feedback, I could truly see the difference HEX made. My confidence was much higher, and we were able to clearly articulate our solution."

Reimagining Education: Michelle's Peer-Powered Learning Platform

Michelle's startup, Peer Pairing, takes an innovative approach to education by leveraging the power of peer-to-peer learning. The platform uses AI to match high school students for tutoring, creating engaging and affordable learning experiences.

"Students learn best via peer role models," Michelle shares. "Children find those around their age or experience level relatable and are motivated by their achievements."

For Michelle, the scholarship from Kliqtek was more than just financial support – it was a vote of confidence. "As someone venturing into the startup space, especially as a woman founding a tech-enabled startup, I would never have dreamt of having the courage to sign up for HEX Sprint," she reflects. "The scholarship meant I could focus on the value of the program, not the barriers that would prevent me from taking part."

Cultural Impact

As Michelle eloquently states: "The scholarship has given me the sense that there will always be someone watching what I do and who I am. I've been given a vote of confidence that I have what it takes to make it."

This sentiment echoes the broader impact of Kliqtek and Zunalabs' vision: by investing in diverse entrepreneurs, they're not just funding startups – they're nurturing the next generation of innovation leaders who will shape Australia's technological and economic future.

Through their strategic philanthropy, Kliqtek and Zunalabs demonstrate that when we invest in passionate entrepreneurs, we invest in the future of innovation itself. Their support creates a legacy that will continue to inspire and enable future generations of founders, particularly those who might otherwise face barriers to entry in the startup ecosystem.

About Kliqtek

Kliqtek was founded by Dougall and Trish McBurnie and is a boutique Workday specialist who is dedicated to transforming people and finance functions of our customers, rapidly unlocking real value. Their social purpose is to promote and support women in IT to address the industry diversity gap. They have backed this up through their own diversity policy of a 50/50 gender-balanced workplace.

About Zunalabs

Zunalabs was founded by our own HEXie, Oskar Rutten and is where cutting-edge cyber security meets innovative automation, strategy, and design. They empower businesses across Australia to embrace the digital revolution with confidence, ensuring robust protection against cyber threats, and helping them thrive in today's dynamic landscape.

Be part of building Australia's innovation future. Your partnership with HEX can help create the next generation of transformative startups and industry leaders. Check out the possibilities here.