The runner up was Compass IoT, a software system which aggregates and presents transport data to planners and operators in a simple, accessible and actionable form.
The head of the School's Discipline of Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Professor Leanne Cutcher, described this Genesis competition involving seven finalists as a "huge success."
We have fantastic ideas circulating in our University community and it's the Business School's job to foster these ideas by creating an innovation ecosystem through programs like Genesis."
Nook is the brain-child of brother and sister duo Scott and Sarah Ellice-Flint and their co-founder Will Chambers, who say it is a "space to take conference calls, get deep work done and have a bit of privacy in an open plan office."
"It's very hard to get any focused work done or to take a phone call in private in an open plan office in today's world," said Scott. "We have created a modular pod with a desk and a chair and a whiteboard, which can be assembled in 50 minutes."
Compass IoT's Emily Bobis says her company aggregates transport data for the benefit of governments, city planners, consultants and transport operators who are "inundated with massive amounts of data."
"Compass aggregates that data in a way that is simple, actionable and easily accessible so that city planners and transport operators who need a holistic picture of how people move around the city and interact with transport assets such as buses, trams and trains," Emily explained.
Other Genesis finalists included:
The winners were selected by team mentors following four weeks of intensive development.
"The seven Genesis finalists have been meeting with each other, holding each other to account and setting goals, and alongside them have been the team mentors who are successful entrepreneurs themselves," said Professor Cutcher. "These mentors are people who want to be part of building an innovative ecosystem in Sydney in particular."
Professor Cutcher concluded by calling on firms to invest in the ideas fostered by Genesis. "We want people to sit up and take notice," she said. "We want firms to think 'that's a great idea'."
Now in its 11th year, Genesis is open to University of Sydney staff, students and alumni. Since 2008, the program has given nearly 1,500 participants access to masterclasses, mentoring and networking opportunities with established entrepreneurs and industry experts.
Professor John Rose explores the concept of the Value of Time (VoT) in transport economics, highlighting its significance in travel decisions and cost-benefit analyses, while questioning the relevance of traditional methods in today's context.
Professor Stephen Greaves and Ray Macalalag explain why they support lowering residential speed limits for reasons of safety, environmental benefits, and the potential for more active and healthier lifestyles by encouraging walking and cycling.