Gold Coasters get royal blessing for clever start-up ideas

TWO Gold Coast entrepreneurs have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to London and pitch their start-up ideas to British royalty.

Ben Armstrong, Nev Hyman, Alisha Geary and Prince Andrew.

TWO Gold Coast entrepreneurs have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to London and pitch their start-up ideas to British royalty.

Alisha Geary and Nev Hyman are two of three Australians named the winners of Pitch@Palace Australia, which gives entrepreneurs and early stage businesses a hand up. Last night the winners were announced at Government House in Sydney and they were congratulated by The Duke of York Prince Andrew, who recently visited Bond University to meet with the some of the city’s brightest minds.

Ms Geary, who runs active wear company Faebella which offers apparel with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art designs, told the Gold Coast Bulletin she was “super excited” about winning.

“It is very unexpected,” the 22-year-old Bond University student said.

“This will be my first trip overseas ... and the Prince is paying.

“It will give my business global exposure.” Mr Hyman spoke moments after the announcement saying he was “just a little bit excited” about being named one of the winners.

He said his business NevHouse turned waste into modular panels for affordable houses.

“It is not rocket science but it is groundbreaking,” the 58-year Robina man said.

“It is a socio-economic and environmental solution.

“We turn recycled plastic, aluminium, e-waste and agricultural waste into low cost homes.”

Pitch@Palace Global will be held in December at St. James’s Palace.