Unearthed is creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and improving the efficiency and competitiveness of the global resources sector.
Unearthed Perth 2018 marks the fifth anniversary of the inaugural event this April and we are excited to celebrate the incredible community coming together to crowdsource innovative solutions to some of mining’s toughest challenges.
Justin Strharsky, Director of Unearthed Solutions, has enjoyed previous success working in varied roles covering technology, startups, and the resources sector. Having had his start in the Silicon Valley working with both a leading networking computer company and one of the first companies commercialising artificial intelligence, Justin has contributed heavily to Perth’s tech startup ecosystem including founding Startup WA, helping to grow Morning Startup, and regularly mentoring at Startup Weekend and Founder Institute events - and as one of the foundation partners of the mining and resources hub, CORE.
Justin and his team truly believe in “the power of entrepreneurship to transform individuals and communities, to create economic opportunities, and to address global challenges”. Since 2014, they have enjoyed engaging with over 4000 individuals who form part of a talented and ever-expanding network of innovators across Australia, and the world. With the support of the resources technology community, they have run 26 hackathons to date; addressed over 100 industry challenges with terabytes of data; witnessed the development of over 400 prototype solutions, and the distribution of over $250,000 in cash and $150,000 in credits and prizes.
The inaugural Unearthed Perth Hackathon was held in 2014 at Spacecubed, which gave birth to startup Newton Labs (the 2014 winner), who were fast-tracked into the Unearthed Accelerator pilot program in 2015. Upon graduating six months later, Newton Labs won the highly esteemed Western Australian Innovator of the Year Award.
At this years Unearthed Perth 2018 hackathon, applicants are offered the chance to work with real operational data, and four challenges have been presented by BHP Nickel West:
1. Preventing shutdowns from solid scale build up in process equipment at the Kwinana Nickel Refinery;
2. Using lab analysis for regulating leach recovery at the Kwinana Nickel Refinery;
3. Detecting where air is entering the smelter offgas train at the Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter; and
4. Investigating bottlenecks in the grinding circuit up north at the Mt Keith Operation.
In addition to $5,000 in cash, first prize winners of Unearthed Perth will head out and see the exciting expansion work at BHP Nickel West's Kwinana Nickel Refinery, pitch their prototype, giving them the edge in moving their solution closer to implementation.
Participating teams at the hackathon will also have the opportunity to apply directly to the Unearthed Accelerator 2018, which provides selected startups seed funding and access to experienced industry mentors, amongst other training and facilities, to grow and commercialise their prototypes into products. Alumni from Unearthed Accelerator 2017 have graduated with industry contracts and are continuing to build sustainable businesses with global markets.
Event Highlights
Take advantage of this great opportunity and register here to participate!
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