Watch Wagga Wagga local Michael Nixon take centre stage when he represents New South Wales at the Australia Post Regional Pitchfest national gala final at the Civic Theatre on Friday 18 August, pitching his business idea, The Amazing Annoyatron, in front of a live hometown audience and expert judging panel.
Hoping to become the first ever national winner, Michael will be competing against seven other state and territory finalists for the first-place prize of $7,500, plus a Silicon Valley trip to the US and an Australia Post eCommerce Business Growth Pack. The runner-up will receive $5,000.
“I’m really excited to be representing New South Wales at the inaugural national final for the Australia Post Regional Pitchfest and to have this opportunity to further develop and raise the profile of my business at a national level, from right here in Wagga,” said Michael.
“I can’t wait to see how the audience and judges respond to The Amazing Annoyatron, it’s no doubt going to be tough competition against every other state and territory winner, however, I’ll be giving it my best shot and hoping to do NSW and Wagga Wagga proud by taking out the top prize.”
About The Amazing Annoyatron
The Amazing Annoyatron – is a fun and affordable educational kit designed to introduce kids and teens to electronics and coding. New technology is shaping the jobs of the future, and it’s becoming increasingly important that current kids and teens can confidently use and modify it. The Amazing Annoyatron can give kids a head-start with electronics and coding, preparing them for a tech-savvy future.
Priced at $35, the kit includes 22 electronics components – sensors, lights, buzzers and a mini programmable computer. With these, users can build over 20 different projects. Designed for kids and teens between the ages of 9-15, the kits were created using feedback from kids about what inventions and gadgets they would like to build, and then actually making them before carefully writing, designing and recording the resources.
National event details
Michael and the seven other national finalists (winners from every state/territory) will take to the stage on Friday 18 August 2017 from 6 pm at the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre in New South Wales. For community members wanting further information on how to support Michael, either by attending in person or watching the live streaming of the National Gala Final visit https://regionalpitchfest.com/national/.
About Michael
Michael Nixon is a teenager who is passionate about exploring and sharing new technologies. In 2016, at age 13, Michael entered the first Regional Pitchfest with his business EduKits. The start-up was pitched as a supplier of 3D printers, electronics and STEM kits for both home and classroom-based learning.
Since Pitchfest, EduKits has been
working hard to implement new solutions to provide education to local and national communities about technology, specifically 3D printing, electronics and coding. Some of the programs included 3D printing holiday workshops for teens, putting 3D printers in regional libraries and offering electronics, STEM and 3D printing kits on its online store.