A regionally-focused startup co-founded by a Young resident is in the running to receive a significant helping hand after making the finals of the NSW Government's Regional Pitchfest competition.
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Co-founded by local yoga teacher Narelle Hunter along with Judy Davie, Ginny Stevens, Alice Williams and Ed Stevens, their start-up product, PA2 Health, will be one of five businesses that will compete in the finals, to be held in Wagga Wagga on September 5.
If they win, they'll received $7500 of cash and a business trip - to the value of $10,000 - designed to showcase their brand internationally while exploring opportunities for growth.
PA2Health made the finals after a three day "boot camp" held in Sydney last week, where 11 regionally-based businesses took part in learning sessions to help them get their business up and running.
In addition to Young, businesses came from across the state, stretching from Broken Hill to Byron Bay.
Hunter and her business partners won through to the finals for their ability to sell their concept of a subscription-based chat bot service, which facilitates four week plans promoting healthy eating, mindfulness and meditation and physical exercise on Facebook Messenger.
Judy Davie, another member of the PA2Health team, says they are hopeful their product, which orginated out of work done for the not-for-profit Active Farmers group, will appeal to regional residents.
"We've been helped a lot along the way," Judy Davie said.
"There's a lot of interest in helping regional Australians to get healthy.
"We understand the issues that are out there in regional Australia and have product designed for them."
The Pitchfest just one of multiple business development incubators the group has been involved with, the progress of the group so rapid they've already secured funding from the Murrumbidgee Primary Health community network program to roll out the program for free for up to 375 users.
They are also offering first business-to-customer service in the Hilltops area, with 35 users taking part in the four-week August challenge.
Judy has been taken back at the support for their quickly emerging project.
"It feels like we're on a fast train and it's terribly exciting," Judy Davie said.
"We're really learning everything as we go."
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