The 2nd Gemini Entrepreneurship Competition 2024

2024 Gemini Startup Competition (2nd Edition) — Calling Builders, Makers, and Believers

We’re entering a rare kind of era—the kind where the boundaries keep moving. Brain–computer interfaces, virtual reality, AI applications, new materials, and energy breakthroughs are no longer “future concepts.” They’re becoming real products, real companies, and real careers.

But early-stage innovation still needs one thing the most: a stage.

That’s why we’re hosting the 2024 Second Gemini Startup Competition, co-organized by the University of Melbourne Venture Capital Club (UMVC) and the Southern Cross Venture Capital Club (SVC) at the University of Sydney. This isn’t only a pitch contest. It’s a place to test your idea in front of serious people, get real feedback, and connect with resources that actually move projects forward.

Four Tracks That Will Shape What’s Next

We focus on four themes—because they’re not just “hot,” they’re foundational:

• Hard Tech: frontier technologies, deep engineering, next-gen infrastructure

• New Energy: clean energy, storage, efficiency, climate solutions

• Mass Consumption: consumer brands, retail innovation, lifestyle and services

• Digital Economy: AI applications, fintech, SaaS, web3 infrastructure, enterprise tools

If you’re building in any of these areas, this competition is designed for you.

Why This Competition Matters (Beyond the Trophy)

1. Real Prize Money + Real Incubation Support

Yes, there are cash awards:

• 1st Prize: 500 AUD

• 2nd Prize: 300 AUD

• 3rd Prize: 100 AUD

• Best Innovation Award: 100 AUD

• Best Pitch Award: 50 AUD

But the bigger value is what comes after.

Winning teams (1st/2nd/3rd) will also receive full incubation support from Xingdi AI Incubator, and all participating teams may be selected as incubation candidates as well. Selected teams can access an incubation package with eight major benefits, covering areas like workspace support, funding connections, technical support, training, and business expansion resources.

2. Landing Support in Government-backed Parks (China)

For finalist teams, the organizing committee will provide support to help you land in partnered government parks and zones, including (but not limited to):

• Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP)

• Suzhou Dushu Lake High-Tech Zone

• Suzhou Wuzhong District

• Suzhou Wujiang District

• Hefei Semiconductor Industrial Park

• Shanghai Zhangjiang High-Tech Park

• Lujiazui Financial Development Bureau

• and more partner zones (updates ongoing)

If you’re thinking about manufacturing, supply chain access, pilot deployment, or entering the China market—this is a practical pathway, not a slogan.

Who Should Join?

This competition is open to startup teams worldwide. There are no strict requirements on background, location, or stage.

All you need to do is submit a business plan (BP) with clear market potential. If you pass the BP screening, you’ll receive an invitation to pitch.

Competition Format & Timeline

The competition includes three stages: Preliminaries → Mentorship → Finals, with a mix of online and offline sessions.

1. Submission Period

Jan 27 – Feb 27: Submit application + BP

2. Screening Period

Feb 28 – Mar 5: BP evaluation and shortlist selection

3. Preliminaries (Online Pitching)

• Format: Online

• Teams: 15

• Pitch time: 10 minutes

• Q&A / Feedback: 5 minutes

• Time: 13:30 China / 16:30 Australia

• Dates: Mar 9 – Mar 10

We recommend keeping your deck tight and your story clear. No one wins by cramming 40 slides into 10 minutes.

4. Mentorship (1-on-1 Guidance)

Teams that perform strongly in the preliminaries will receive individual mentoring from our guest experts.

• Duration: 2 hours per team

• Dates: Mar 11 – Mar 15

• Time: arranged directly with mentors

5. Finals (Offline in Melbourne / Sydney + Online Option)

This is the final stage—more exposure, deeper judging, and a real community vibe.

• Format: Offline (Melbourne) + Online

• Finalist teams: 7

• Pitch time: 10 minutes

• Q&A / Feedback: 8 minutes

• Time: 13:30 China / 16:30 Australia

• Dates: Mar 16 – Mar 17

Offline attendees can enjoy snacks and drinks, meet other builders, and actually talk to people without rushing to the next Zoom meeting.

Judging: Serious People, Real Feedback

We’re bringing together a panel of industry leaders, experienced founders, mentors, and investment professionals. Their job is not to “be impressed.” It’s to ask the right questions, evaluate clearly, and help identify ideas that deserve to grow.

This makes the competition tougher—but also much more valuable.

How to Register

We welcome startup teams, judges/guest mentors, and partners/sponsors.

Registration is simple: scan the QR code and fill out the form.

• Startup Team Registration: vinqtma054.feishu.cn

• Judge / Guest Registration: vinqtma054.feishu.cn

• Partners / Sponsors: vinqtma054.feishu.cn

Tickets: contact our assistant. Sharing the official public account article may qualify you for a free ticket. Follow the public account for future updates and events.

Sponsors & Organizers

Xingdi AI Application Incubator

Xingdi AI is an incubator focused on AI-related platforms, applications, algorithms, and computing infrastructure. It provides early-stage teams with a “four-in-one” system: incubation services + angel investment + entrepreneurship training + technical support, helping startups grow faster through market access, application deployment, and industry enablement.

About UMVC (University of Melbourne Venture Capital Club)

UMVC is based at the University of Melbourne, rooted in Melbourne and connected globally. With the mission of “pursuing limitless possibilities and advancing the future of venture capital,” UMVC connects resources across the Southern Hemisphere and beyond, supporting early-stage talent development and project incubation.

About SVC (Southern Cross Venture Capital Club)

SVC began at the University of Sydney with a “connect and co-create” mindset. It focuses on entrepreneurship and investment, linking the Australian alumni network with top universities worldwide. SVC supports founders through mentorship, China industrial park landing, finance and tax consulting, legal consulting, tech成果 evaluation, board secretary training, VC/PE connections, and M&A resources—while also offering investors high-quality deal flow and post-investment management.