Eight female founders reimagining sport are set to unveil their innovative concepts at Australia’s Sports Innovations Week in Melbourne.
The ‘Ladies-Led Design’ initiative, launched by the Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN), takes place on Wednesday, October 23, from 10am to 12:30pm at Launchpad, located in Cremorne, Melbourne.
The founders’ interests encompassed a diverse range of sectors, including apparel, wellness, sporting goods, youth sports initiatives, digital media, leisure activities, healthcare, and data analytics.
Chief Working Officer Amy Crosland noted that the women involved demonstrate an exceptional level of proficiency and aptitude.
“These visionary entrepreneurs won’t simply propel Australian sports into global prominence, but also empower a more diverse and inclusive industry within.”
“It’s truly uplifting to hear the stories of these young women, detailing how they pivoted from diverse professional backgrounds to pursue careers in sports, making their entrepreneurial journeys all the more remarkable.”
The eight are: Suzie Betts of Boob Armour; Maria Baker of No one’s Princess; Kirsty Richardson of GravityFit; Saara Jamieson of Cool Beans Underwear; Marie Penny of Mission Flock; Natalie Moore of Personal Your Well being Collective & MenoVest; Michelle Walshe of CoachMate; Victoria Zorin of Nola Applied sciences.
“We aim to shine a light on the entrepreneurial achievements of these young women, showcasing the diverse range of sports technologies they represent, while also inspiring the next generation of female leaders in sportstech,” Crosland said.
This event presents a unique opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone intrigued by the convergence of design, innovation, and sports.
You can register to join ‘Ladies-Led Design’.
Suzie Betts
Founder, Boob Armour
Boob Armour founder Suzie Betts
BooB Armour is a startup dedicated to safeguarding and empowering women in their pursuit of physical activity.
Through deliberate engineering and forward-thinking ingenuity, Boob Armour provides vital support, comfort, and security, empowering women to participate in physical pursuits, professions, and daily activities with unwavering self-assurance and mental tranquility.
By harmonizing style, athleticism, and safety, Boob Armour empowers women to transcend boundaries and unlock their unbridled potential.
Maria Baker
Founder, No one’s Princess
Everyone’s Princess specializes in girls’ snow outerwear designed to fit a range of physique types.
With over 15 years of experience in artistic design and advertising for some of Australia’s most prominent brands, Baker founded No One’s Princess to blend technical prowess with empowering fashion that boosts female skiers’ self-assurance.
Her entrepreneurial journey has yielded global retail distribution, accompanied by the prestigious recognition of being a finalist for Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Melbourne.
Kirsty Richardson
Founder, GravityFit
GravityFit provides cutting-edge, evidence-driven training and rehabilitation tools that target the critical deep muscle tissue necessary for optimal performance, recovery, and overall well-being.
Established through decades of research, and endorsed by leading physical therapists, sports coaches, and elite athletes, GravityFit offers a comprehensive suite of services comprising training and coaching, precision instruments, and cutting-edge online applications for assessment, measurement, and personalized workout prescriptions.
Saara Jamieson
CEO, Cool Beans Underwear
Cool Beans founder Saara Jamieson & associates
After securing robust validation in the fertility sector, Cool Beans Underwear is set to make a splash in the high-tech sports industry.
Dr. Jamieson, a finalist for both Innovator and Disruptor of the Year, aims to counteract the alarming decline in men’s wellness by pioneering revolutionary approaches to testosterone and sperm health through the development of the world’s inaugural and unparalleled testicular cooling medical system.
Having earned a spot as a finalist in the ANZ Sports Technology Awards for Sports Performance and Training, Cool Beans is poised to make a significant impact by optimizing sperm health while also boosting testosterone production, ultimately enabling athletes to excel in both physical and mental performance.
Marie Penny
Cofounder, Mission Flock
Misson Flock, a pioneering startup based in Melbourne, has introduced the globe’s initial “bio-motion” rear bicycle light, which illuminates the rider’s legs to enhance their visibility and distinctness.
The Flock Gentle exploits the human brain’s remarkable capacity for recognizing human movement quickly, thereby rendering riders visible up to 5.5 times faster than with a conventional purple light.
Natalie Moore
Cofounder, Personal Your Well being Collective & MenoVest
MenoVest is the globe’s sole menopause simulator, allowing individuals to experience the debilitating physical, mental, and emotional symptoms characteristic of menopause. Moore empowers girls by transforming their life’s phases into transformative and illuminating journeys.
As she acknowledges, women often undertake these life changes in quiet contemplation, occasionally beset by the overwhelming demands of their circumstances. Moore dedicates herself to empowering girls during these transformative periods, helping them develop a positive relationship with their bodies and flourish in overall health and wellness.
Michelle Walshe
Founder, CoachMate
CoachMate provides volunteer coaches with the training resources they need to deliver effective coaching sessions, empowering them to help children develop physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Walshe’s mission is to harmonize the sporting experiences of teenagers, ensuring their continued engagement in recreational activities. Coaches and sports teams collaborate with Nationwide Sports Organizations to support the transport of athletes and equipment for games and competitions.
In 2023, CoachMate received the prestigious Australia New Zealand Sport Tech Award for ‘Teaching and Sports Activities Efficiency’, and more recently, it was shortlisted for the esteemed 2024 Leaders in Sports Awards for ‘Tech Breakthrough’.
Victoria Zorin
CEO & cofounder, Nola Applied sciences
Nola Applied Sciences is a pioneering crowd analytics platform that revolutionizes existing CCTV systems by converting raw data into actionable, real-time insights on customer behavior and movement patterns within venues.
Nola enables sports venues, amusement parks, and retail establishments to streamline their operations, heighten customer satisfaction, and bolster public safety by leveraging innovative solutions.
Zorin was recognized by Forbes as one of its 30 Under 30 honorees in the B2B business category in 2023.
