Melbourne startup wins TechCrunch Radio pitch-off; Kindy takes out OzAPP Award; App economy's meteoric growth

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Dear StartupSmart reader, Melbourne startup HappyWife, which helps men purchase gifts for women, has been crowned the winner of this month’s TechCrunch Radio Pitch-off. But do men really need help? Babysitting app Kindy takes out $100,000 prize at 2014-15 OzAPP Awards. Crowdfunding platform Indiegogo is trialling a way for its users to receive a full refund should a project which reaches its pledge goal not go ahead. Even as the US economic recovery remains subpar with employment gains in only the lowest-paying jobs – and sluggish gains at that – one segment is surging: the still-nascent app industry. A BlueChilli startup is looking to make it easier for customers to pay for items even if they have left their wallet at home. A PhD student at the University of Technology, Sydney has been awarded the 2015 Fulbright Indigenous Postgraduate Scholarship to advance his research into the socio-economic and cultural impacts of indigenous entrepreneurship and social enterprise. Can Microsoft HoloLens succeed where Google Glass stumbled? Melbourne’s bitcoin co-working space is now home to eight startups, and has plans to expand to accommodate more, just a few months after launch. Popular friends on social media can help save you from disasters. Kye White, Editor Do men need help buying gifts for the women in their lives? HappyWife thinks so by Broede Carmody A Melbourne startup that helps men purchase gifts for women has been crowned the winner of this month’s TechCrunch Radio Pitch-off. VIEW ALL NEWS

Are we likely to see insurance for crowdfunding in Australia? by Broede Carmody Crowdfunding platform Indiegogo is trialling a way for its users to receive a full refund should a project which reaches its pledge goal not go ahead. Zwype is your digital bar tab by Broede Carmody A BlueChilli startup is looking to make it easier for customers to pay for items even if they have left their wallet at home. Apple's record earnings show app economy's meteoric growth  by Daniel M. Ladik Even as the US economic recovery remains subpar with employment gains in only the lowest-paying jobs – and sluggish gains at that – one segment is surging: the still-nascent app industry. Babysitting app Kindy takes out $100,000 prize at 2014-15 OzAPP Awards  by Eisha Gupta Babysitting app Kindy is hoping to leverage its win at the 2014-15 OzAPP Awards into its first external investment.

THE NEWS WRAP: Uber expands Series E round to $2.8 billion by Kye White Transportation network startup Uber has expanded its Series E round of venture financing to nearly $2.8 billion due to investor demand, The New York Times reports. READ MORE Can Microsoft HoloLens succeed where Google Glass stumbled? by David Hancock There are plenty of business uses for augmented reality, as long as it aims to be more of a productivity tool than an intrusive fashion item. READ MORE Popular friends on social media can help save you from disasters by Manuel Cebrian, Caron Chen, Pascal Van Hentenryck and Yury Kryvasheyeu Research shows friends can help save you in the event of any natural disaster, especially if they’re your popular friends. READ MORE Fulbright scholar plans to shine a light on indigenous entrepreneurship by Kye White A PhD student at the University of Technology, Sydney has been awarded the 2015 Fulbright Indigenous Postgraduate Scholarship to advance his research into the socio-economic and cultural impacts of indigenous entrepreneurship and social enterprise. READ MORE Plans apace for growth at Melbourne bitcoin co-working space  by Eisha Gupta Melbourne’s bitcoin co-working space is now home to eight startups, and has plans to expand to accommodate more, just a few months after launch. READ MORE