OzAPP award top 20 finalists; Is there a formula for making your startup go viral?; The startup using wearables to help seniors live independently

HOME | ADVERTISE | CONTACT US Dear StartupSmart reader, The online freight capacity marketplace FreightExchange, which is currently part of Telstra’s Muru-d program, is one of the 20 startups named as a finalist in this year’s OzAPP Awards. Last week an Australian startup called ShipYourEnemiesGlitter received international press coverage for pledging to send glitter to people’s enemies for $10. How much of its success was due to marketing or copywriting? Sydney-based health tech startup mCareWatch is attracting interest in overseas markets with a smartwatch and platform that can help carers to monitor seniors both inside and outside the home. Applications for Hub Adelaide’s Spark program are open until January 22nd, with first-time entrepreneurs in South Australia and startup mentors encouraged to sign up. Some of the biggest players in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have joined together calling for any research to focus on the benefits we can reap from AI “while avoiding potential pitfalls”. For artists, especially those from rural and regional areas, getting paintings in a gallery for display has always been a challenge. Now an online platform, called Blue Thumb, is taking some of the headaches out of making a living as an artist. Before we talk cuts, tax reform needs to make things simpler. Is Bitcoin one big Ponzi scheme? iPhone separation anxiety; and Teju Cole on Charlie Hebdo: Best of the Web. Entries are now open for the 2015 StartupSmart Awards. It only takes 10 minutes to enter and there’s a great range of prizes up for grabs. So get your entries in! Kye White, Editor The finest truckin’ convoy since CW McCall: 20 OzAPP Awards finalists named, including a freight marketplace by Andrew Sadauskas Online freight capacity marketplace FreightExchange, which is currently part of Telstra’s Muru-d program, is one of the 20 startups named as a finalist in this year’s OzAPP Awards. VIEW ALL NEWS Is there a formula for making your startup go viral? by Broede Carmody Earlier this week an Australian startup called ShipYourEnemiesGlitter received international press coverage for pledging to send glitter to people’s enemies for $10. How much of its success can be attributed to marketing?  Adelaide grows: Applications open for South Australian startup program by Andrew Sadauskas Applications for Hub Adelaide’s Spark program are open until January 22nd, with first-time entrepreneurs in South Australia and startup mentors encouraged to sign up. Health tech startup uses wearables to help seniors have more mobility by Andrew Sadauskas Two-year-old health tech startup mCareWatch is attracting interest in overseas markets with a smartwatch and platform that can help carers to monitor seniors both inside and outside the home. Selling paintings online: Online art platform is redrawing the gallery landscape by Andrew Sadauskas For artists, especially those from rural and regional areas, getting paintings in a gallery for display has always been a challenge. Now an online platform, called Blue Thumb, is taking some of the headaches out of making a living as an artist. THE NEWS WRAP: Uber plans to expand European operations by Broede Carmody Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick has revealed plans to expand the company’s operations in Europe. READ MORE Is Bitcoin one big Ponzi scheme? iPhone separation anxiety; and Teju Cole on Charlie Hebdo: Best of the Web by Kye White A lot has been written about the collapse of bitcoin in the last week as the price drops below $US200 ($A243) for the first time since 2013. READ MORE Artificial Intelligence should benefit society, not create threats  by Toby Walsh Some of the biggest players in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have joined together calling for any research to focus on the benefits we can reap from AI “while avoiding potential pitfalls”. READ MORE Before we talk cuts, tax reform needs to make things simpler by Mark Chapman A new year has dawned. It’s a time for resolutions and a time for wish-lists. Wearing my tax hat, what do I really want from 2015? READ MORE