Australian Founder to Compete at Global Startup World Cup in San Francisco
In a thrilling finale to Startup&Angels Investor Week, Australian startup Build Buddy has earned the coveted opportunity to represent the nation at the Global Startup World Cup in San Francisco this October. The culmination of a week of investor pitch nights events, Build Buddy’s victory at the Startup&Angels Pitch Night 4 marks the beginning of an exciting journey that will take them to the world’s largest startup competition.
Founded by Danny Assabgy, Build Buddy is revolutionizing the home-building industry with an intelligent platform that allows anyone to design, approve, and build a new home without ever having to engage directly with a builder. Their innovative platform uses intelligent algorithms to guide users through every step of the home-building process. It tells users what they need to do, when they need to do it, how to do it, and then connects them with the professionals who will make it happen.
"It couldn’t be easier," says Assabgy. "We’re making home-building accessible and stress-free for everyone."
A Global Stage for Australian Innovation
Build Buddy’s participation in the Startup World Cup comes with significant stakes. With a $1 million investment prize on the line, the competition is a premier platform for startups to showcase cutting-edge innovation. The event attracts over 50,000 attendees, including 2,500 investors and 500 speakers, making it one of the most prestigious stages for emerging companies worldwide. Past judges have included household names like the Founder of Netflix, Apple Shark Tank stars, and other high-profile celebrity entrepreneurs, adding to the event's allure.
Assabgy’s trip to San Francisco is made possible by the Andiron Group, which has generously sponsored Build Buddy’s flights. Jonathan Englert, Founder of Andiron Group, expressed his support: “We are proud to back Build Buddy as they take on this global challenge. They are leading the way for Australian innovation.”
Fierce Competition at Investor Week
Startup&Angels Investor Week brought together a diverse range of startups from across Australia, all pitching for the chance to take their business global. The Startup&Angels Pitch Night 4 featured ten standout startups, each with a unique and innovative vision. Alongside Build Buddy, the following founders delivered impressive pitches:
Joseph Guo & Paul Skevington – Founders of Minimis Technologies
Jesse Waller – Founder of InnerSteps
Richard Savoie – Founder of Adiona
Lachlan (Lockie) Cooke – Founder of iyarn
Mona Chiha – Founder of JurisTechne
Lindsay Lyon – Founder of GIAGO
Jessie Wu – Founder of EverYoungAI
Jason Hardie – Founder of Digital Village
Vinesh V George & Paul-Benjamin Ramírez – Founders of Automi
"Every one of these startups showed incredible potential," said Leo Denes, Founder of Startup&Angels and Australiance Group. "But Build Buddy’s vision and innovative approach truly stood out. We are confident they will represent Australia with pride in San Francisco."
Behind the Scenes: The Judges and Teamwork that Made it Happen
The success of the event would not have been possible without the insights and guidance of a stellar judging panel. The experts included:
Patrick Stewart (National Sales Lead at Radium Capital)
Imche Veiga (Group Executive of Ecosystems at Stone & Chalk)
Harry Godber (Co-CEO of Spark Festival)
Varun Bhandarkar (Head of Existing Business APAC at Stripe)
Sophie Yao (Managing Director at Pegasus Tech Ventures)
Matt Vitale (Co-founder & CEO of Birchal)
Charlie Ill (CEO at Investible)
Zach Zocher (Head of Community at Techvisa)
Sam Cust (Director at Hyper Startup Studio)
Romane Delvallee (Head of Community at Startup&Angels)
"This year’s Investor Week has been nothing short of extraordinary," said Romane Delvallee, Head of Community at Startup&Angels. "It’s been inspiring to see such bright minds from across Australia come together. We can’t wait to see Build Buddy shine on the global stage."
The Future of Investor Week by Startup&Angels
As the dust settles on Investor Week 2024, the wheels are already in motion for an even bigger event next year. With plans to make Investor Week 2025 the most impactful yet, potential collaborators and partners are encouraged to get involved early. For now, all eyes are on Build Buddy as they prepare for the global stage in San Francisco.
