A host of Western Australian businesses has designed or invented lifestyle products that could be a perfect Christmas gift. If not, most of them will accept investors.
A host of Western Australian businesses has designed or invented lifestyle products that could be a perfect Christmas gift. If not, most of them will accept investors.
David Steadman is casting about for capital backing for his Steadyrack business, an innovative storage device for bicycles. Vexed by bikes cluttering his garage, Mr Steadman posed the problem to his family and, within two weeks, his father-in-law had designed a prototype. After five years of development, Steadyrack has sold more than 100,000 units since it was commercialised a couple of years ago.
Among several other local bicycle innovations is Cycliq, which makes cycling accessories using high-definition cameras for attachment to bikes. Cycliq made its debut on the ASX this month after a $4.4 million reverse takeover.
Evolving from the aesthetically pleasing but very basic Sexy Bicycles and its more broadly appealing child Flying Machine, Matthew Andrew’s third-generation bike manufacturing business, Plane Frameworks, is making individualised performance frames from carbon fibre. They still look good, but at $4,500 they are for the committed. Plane Frameworks is listed on the Australian Small Scale Offerings Board.
A group of keen cycling ‘technologists’ has designed AIRhub, a device that attaches to a bicycle wheel to deliver on-road resistance training for the rider – in others words hills where there are none, just like static workout machines offer.
Funky Monkey Bars is a WA manufacturer of playground equipment. It has developed a unique design made specifically for the backyard, which can be used without permanent footings. The equipment arrives flat-packed and can be assembled by the purchaser.
Nuheara is on the cusp of making its wireless wearable IQbuds technology available. IQbuds are an intelligent hearing device, Bluetooth earpiece, and noise-cancelling headset – all in two wireless earbuds. Nuheara listed on the ASX in March 2016 through a reverse takeover of Wild Acre Metals.
Shark Shield
Shark Shield produces an electronic shark deterrent that is attached to surfers, divers and others using the marine environment. The device works by creating a three-dimensional electrical waveform that sharks don’t like. Main models retail between $599 and $799.
Shark Mitigation
Shark Mitigation Systems listed on the stock market in May, after raising $3.5 million. The company is behind a series of wetsuit designs created to confuse sharks into thinking the wearer is unpalatable and potentially dangerous to eat.
Nigel Rimmer and Daniel Pryce have spent seven years developing the Dive n Dry diving equipment stand, funding the process from their own pockets. They have sold about 120 of the $249 units in Australia and the US and have started pitching for investors.