Announcing the Lisa Ring and Family Scholars for 2025
The StartSpace team are so thrilled to announce the 2025 Lisa Ring and Family Scholars are:
Josh Farrington, founder and CEO of Healio
Healio is a patient-centric mobile application designed to educate, guide and support hospital patients navigating long or complex healthcare journeys. This includes cancer treatment, stroke rehab, orthopaedic rehab, mental health management and much more.
Ruwini Cooray, founder and CEO of Neurogen
Neurogen is developing an advanced cell-based brain implant solution for treating neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Pictured above: Josh Farrington with Lisa Ring at StartSpace, Thursday 31 October 2024
Pictured above: Ruwini Cooray and Lisa Ring at StartSpace, Thursday 31 October 2024
About the scholarships
The Lisa Ring and Family Scholarships are for founders of a new or early-stage business or venture in Victoria to help take your business to the next level.
Applications were accepted from up-and-coming solo founders or teams of up to two who have made good progress on the start of their business journey and looking to grow and develop their knowledge.
The scholarships are made possible by the Lisa Ring family who are passionate about supporting innovative ideas and developing the growth of new entrepreneurs.
The benefits of the 2025 scholarships program
As a Lisa Ring and Family Scholar you will have access to:
Key Scholarship Benefits
- $10,000 AUD equity-free funding: Secure financial support without giving up any ownership in your business.
- 12-month premium coworking space: Enjoy working from StartSpace Loft from January to December 2025.
- Business mentoring and coaching: To enhance and focus your progression.
- Bespoke business support: To accelerate your business success. This may include opportunities such as attending relevant conferences and events, specialised training or access to other resources.
Application criteria
Applications were assessed based on responses to the following criteria:
1. Market & problem (20%)
- What is your business idea / business model?
- How did you come up with it?
- Can you demonstrate a clear understanding of: target customers, the problem you are trying to solve and the addressable market for your business?
2. Solution & Innovation (20%)
- Demonstrate how your service or product solves this problem for customers or fills a demand in the market? (i.e. product market fit)
- What’s new and innovative in your solution?
3. Founder Strength & Fit (20%)
- Demonstrate how you (and Co-applicant if applicable) are particularly setup for success to deliver your solution
- Why are you best placed to deliver on this idea e.g. lived experience, skills, networks, knowledge.
4. Scholarship Impact (30%)
- Describe how this Lisa Ring & Family scholarship and its benefits will change the runway of your business?
- How much of a difference would this scholarship make to what you are trying to achieve?
5. Traction (10%)
- Demonstrate what you have achieved so far and what goals have been set to be undertaken in the next 12 months?
For more information on applications visit our FAQs or see full Terms and Conditions here.
Other key information
The following individuals and/or organisations are ineligible to apply for the Lisa Ring and Family Scholarships for 2025:
- Founders of established businesses or startups deemed too advanced and no-longer early stage.
- To determine early-stage we are guided by the definition in:
- LaunchVic’s Startup Framework (PDF – page 14).
The scholarships will be awarded to individuals (“Primary Applicant” in the application) – though there will be options provided to applications that include up to one other co-founder or team member (one additional person / co-applicant) of the scholarship winners.
Please note: StartSpace does not take any stake in the business in exchange for the seed funding; equity remains with the founder.
If you have any questions or seek more information please contact the StartSpace team: [email protected].
We also recommend you read the FAQs and full Terms and Conditions provided to find out more.
