A University of the Sunshine Coast engineering student hopes this weekend’s 2016 Startup Weekend Sunshine Coast will be just the ticket to starting his own business based on the concept of linking receipts with smartphones.

Caboolture 20-year-old Kallum Packard, who is studying a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours) at USC’s Sippy Downs campus, is participating in the annual entrepreneurship event to gain extra knowledge to take his plans from theory to practice.

“My idea is called ReceiptLock,” he said. “ReceiptLock scans and stores your receipts on any smartphone, then organises and exports them in various formats. It also receives receipts through wireless technology at participating venues, similar to ‘tap and go’ with a credit card.”

Creative Industries student Bolivia Baran, 21, of Peregian Springs also hopes to gain new business knowledge at Startup Weekend, as she nears completion of her major in graphic design and e-media and minor in advertising.

“My idea aims to help small businesses on the Sunshine Coast solve the problem of disposal of biodegradable packaging, particularly coffee cups,” she said. “Composting machines could be incorporated into these businesses to stop the packaging going into landfill.”

Mr Packard and Ms Baran are among 35 USC students looking forward to the Sunshine Coast’s third Startup Weekend, to be held at Spark Bureau in Maroochydore from this Friday night, April 29 to Sunday night, 1 May.

The event will bring together designers, developers, students, creative professionals and business people for 54 hours of hands-on skills, networking and experience. It aims to help aspiring entrepreneurs create and launch their own startup ventures.

USC Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management Dr Retha de Villiers Scheepers, who is helping organise the event, said students from disciplines as diverse as creative industries, journalism, business and engineering were keen to participate this year.

“The future of work is radically changing, as digital disruption, automation and globalisation transform the labour market,” Dr de Villiers Scheepers said.

“It’s imperative for graduates to enter the workforce with entrepreneurial skills, and that’s why the USC School of Business embeds Startup Weekend as an educational experience, within its entrepreneurship minor.

“Through this hands-on approach, graduates are empowered to be confident, innovative, proactive and ready to create the future in emerging sectors. Diverse skills are critical for any new startup.”

Event supporters this year are Sunshine Coast Council, USC’s School of Business, Spark Bureau, Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast, Queensland Government, Regional Development Sunshine Coast, Credit Union Australia, Five Keys and Big Top Market Fresh.

For details of the event go to http://bit.ly/23c9N5y

— Julie Schomberg