Stephen Neli, a passionate sports enthusiast with a background in financial planning, is embarking on his first entrepreneurial venture and documenting the journey on social media, offering followers a glimpse into the process of building a business from the ground up.
We sat down with Stephen, who is embarking on his startup journey at the Western Sydney Startup Hub to learn about his experience, where he described it as “an incredible space for someone like me with no startup experience, to grow.”
Stephen is currently developing Zellus, a platform designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) tackle the persistent problem of late and non-payments, which is particularly an issue in industries like construction.
“Our platform integrates a proposal and quoting system that rates potential clients on a 5-star risk scale based on credit and risk reports. It also offers live reporting for current clients and a streamlined collections solution,” he explained. This innovative approach aims to alleviate a major pain point for businesses in sectors where cash flow can be severely affected by payment delays.
The network of like-minded individuals, experienced entrepreneurs, and business leaders has been invaluable in boosting Stephen’s confidence and expanding his knowledge. According to Stephen, the insights and support he’s received from the Spacecubed community have helped him overcome challenges and stay motivated as he builds his business.
Stephen secured a spot in the Plus Eight Pre-Accelerator program, supported by Investment NSW, which is running out of the Western Sydney Startup Hub, powered by Spacecubed.
The program is helping propel Stephen’s business forward through weekly sessions with industry professionals and experienced mentors. He shared, “being surrounded by like minded people with the same goals has been incredibly profound.” Stephen has also recognised the importance of prioritising client validation over fixating solely on the product, adapting based on real-world insights and remaining flexible throughout the process.
On the evening of Wednesday 4th December, Stephen will take the stage at our end of program Pitch Night to showcase Zellus to a room full of like-minded startup founders, investors and a community of local supporters.
As Pitch Night approaches, Stephen admits he is feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The opportunity to present his startup is a significant milestone, but it also marks the end of the Pre-Accelerator program. "It’s a bittersweet moment," he shared.
Reflecting on his experience, Stephen is incredibly grateful for the connections he’s made and insights he’s gained. “It’s been an absolute pleasure working with the amazing people I’ve met along the way at the Western Sydney Startup Hub,” concluded Stephen.
You can follow Stephen’s startup journey on instagram @stephen.startupvoyage, or to see him pitch live at our end of program Pitch Night, you can secure your FREE ticket here!