--- title: Introducing the 17 innovative startups taking part in our Western Sydney Pre-Accelerator program | Spacecubed description: The 2025 Plus Eight Pre‑Accelerator has officially launched in Western Sydney, empowering startups through mentoring, workshops and a final Pitch Night. image: https://blog.spacecubed.com/hubfs/2025%20Western%20Sydney%20Plus%20Eight%20banner%20(1).png --- [![SC\_Primary-Horizontal\_Colour\_Light](https://blog.spacecubed.com/hubfs/SC_Primary-Horizontal_Colour_Light.svg)](https://www.spacecubed.com/) - [Locations](https://www.spacecubed.com/locations) - [Programs](https://www.spacecubed.com/programs) - [Ecosystem](https://www.spacecubed.com/ecosystem) - [Capital](https://www.spacecubed.com/capital) - [Resources](https://www.spacecubed.com/resources) - [About](https://www.spacecubed.com/about) [Contact](https://www.spacecubed.com/contact) [Member Login](https://os.spacecubed.com/login/) - [Locations](https://www.spacecubed.com/locations) - [Programs](https://www.spacecubed.com/programs) - [Ecosystem](https://www.spacecubed.com/ecosystem) - [Capital](https://www.spacecubed.com/capital) - [Resources](https://www.spacecubed.com/resources) - [About](https://www.spacecubed.com/about) [Member Login](https://platform.spacecubed.com/) ← Back to Blog [Plus Eight](https://blog.spacecubed.com/tag/plus-eight) [Sydney](https://blog.spacecubed.com/tag/sydney) [Pre-Accelerator](https://blog.spacecubed.com/tag/pre-accelerator) ![2025 Western Sydney Plus Eight Pre-Accelerator cohort](https://blog.spacecubed.com/hubfs/2025%20Western%20Sydney%20Plus%20Eight%20banner%20(1).png) # Introducing the 17 innovative startups taking part in our Western Sydney Pre-Accelerator program By Jenna Cardozo 3 September 2025 A new group of emerging entrepreneurs have officially joined our [Plus Eight](https://pluseight.spacecubed.com/) Pre‑Accelerator program this week, kicking off with six weeks of growth, connection and hands-on learning at the Western Sydney Startup Hub, powered by Spacecubed.  The program, proudly supported by the NSW Government, has equipped early‑stage founders with the tools, confidence and support to take their startup ideas to the next stage since the Western Sydney program launched in 2023. Now, the new participants will explore key areas including customer validation, business modelling and go‑to‑market strategies through weekly sessions facilitated by Caroline Lepron, with support from experienced mentors along the way. After six weeks of business development, these founders will all take the stage at the Western Sydney Startup Hub for their end-of-program [Pitch Night](https://events.humanitix.com/plus-eight-pre-accelerator-program-pitch-night-western-sydney) on Tuesday 21st October. We look forward to seeing where this journey takes each founder, with thanks to Investment NSW for their continued support of innovation across the region. We're proud to welcome the following founders into this year’s Western Sydney program: [**Florapeutic**](https://florapeutic.com.au/) **-** [**Karin Lee**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinlee/) Flower-repurposing social enterprise reducing floral waste and spreading joy across Australia. [**Common House**](https://commonhouse.studio/) **-** [**Eric Atienza**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-atienza-4b5415172/) **&** [**Gerard Cabellon**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerard-cabellon-764351345/) Multi-format creative studio in Western Sydney offering modular spaces for artists, curators, and creative entrepreneurs. [**AI MESHLABS**](https://aimeshlabs.com/) **-** [**Sudish Kumar**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sudhish-k-7185b113/) Building AI infrastructure for enterprises and developing edge AI products for privacy-conscious, offline use in remote machine, robot, and drone operations. **SOAP AI -** [**Rebecca Di Noia**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-di-noia/) AI-powered platform that helps SMEs measure, understand, and reduce the environmental impact of their operations through accessible, actionable insights. [SmartPlanAI](https://www.smartplanai.com.au/) **- Pat Vitocco & Nicky Li** Property planning platform that streamlines site feasibility and development assessments in Australia by analysing state-specific planning rules and datasets. **WeCycle -** [**Dora Eflin**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dora-eflin-170b661/) Data-driven accountability framework tracking and encouraging responsible behaviour across the fashion waste ecosystem. **Wellna -** [**Shayaan Salahuddin**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayaansalahuddin/) **&** [**Nabeel Niaz**](https://au.linkedin.com/in/nabeelniaz) Tech-enabled marketplace for spas, salons, and wellness providers to fill empty appointment slots via real-time, AI-powered last-minute deals. [**Edu-fy**](https://edu-fy.org/) **-** [**Asha Murphy**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/asha-murphy/) Profit-for-purpose education enterprise creating games and activities linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. [**KindReff**](https://kindreff.com/) **-** [**Javier Contreras**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/javier-contreras-da/) **&** [**Anastasia Gladkih**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasia-gladkih/) Hiring platform that turns employee or network referrals into donations for nonprofits. **Fit Theory -** [**Zin Oo**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinoo/) Body-inclusive fashion brand creating made-to-measure clothing for women of all shapes and sizes, combining timeless tailoring with tech precision. [**The Social Glow Up**](https://thesocialglowup.net/) **-** [**Aimee Paananen**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimee-paananen/) Platform helping survivors of trauma and domestic violence turn their ideas into purpose-driven brands. [**Raceday Legend**](https://www.racedaylegend.com/) **-** [**Craige Marquart**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigemarquart/) Horse racing tipping game where players predict winners without gambling. Focused on fun, competition, and community engagement. [**Umpire10**](https://umpire10.com/) **- Ryan Pereira** App supporting grassroots sporting clubs to manage weekly umpire coordination efficiently. [**SKTNG**](https://sktng.space/) **-** [**Ross King**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatdesigner/) Indoor roller skating rink and community “third space” in Western Sydney. Featuring an Olympic-size skate floor, co-working spaces, arcade, café-bar, and cultural programming. [**Unplex Me**](https://beta.unplex.me/landing) **-** [**Joe Anthony**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeanthony1/) AI-powered, gamified micro-coaching platform for startup founders and knowledge workers, offering a visual reasoning canvas, 100+ tools, and real-time guidance. **PeekThru -**  Video-first discovery app showing authentic, recent, on-location “peeks” of places and events. Helps users decide where to go right now, and gives businesses a way to attract visitors. [**Envisyo**](https://envisyo.ai/) **-** [**Dishaa Jain**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dishaajain/) AI consulting company helping SMEs and solo operators adopt AI solutions tailored to their needs. If you missed out on taking part in this program, Plus Eight Pre-Accelerator will return in 2026! 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