CBA calls for start-ups helping small businesses

Applications are now open for X15 Ventures’ first start-up pitch event, with the winning ideas to receive funding of up to $150,000.

X15 Ventures, a Commonwealth Bank-powered investment vehicle is launching Xccelerate 2020, a virtual pitch event which will see start-ups battle it out in front of industry experts to receive funding, mentoring and support for their winning idea.

The theme of this year’s Xccelerate event is improving the financial wellbeing of small businesses, and helping them bounce back during the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. The inaugural program will see 15 shortlisted entrepreneurs and start-up teams develop, refine and then pitch their businesses to X15’s Innovation Investment Committee during a virtual pitch event on 23 July 2020. The event is hosted by X15 Ventures, which was launched by Commonwealth Bank in February 2020 with a commitment to bring more than 25 great ideas to life by 2024.

The winning ideas will receive seed funding of up to $150,000, as well as access to global resources and tailored advice from CBA partners in technology, risk, cyber, payments and data science fields.

X15 Ventures Managing Director, Toby Norton-Smith, said: “X15 allows us to open the door and partner more easily with entrepreneurs to help them achieve rapid growth from seed right through to launch phase. While the businesses will be developed as a start-up, they will have the scale and reach of CBA behind them to achieve growth. Xccelerate 2020 will support Australia’s best start-ups to help small and micro businesses bounce back in 2020.

“Given the economic setback caused by the coronavirus pandemic, we are inviting driven, experienced entrepreneurs looking to scale their business or a new business idea. The event is part of our commitment to partner with the fintech community to bring new products and services to market that will benefit primarily retail and small business customers.”