Logan’s right royal visit

The social enterprise and incubator of Logan startups has helped produce flooded road smart warning signs, electric e-bikes and vertical gardens that come complete with solar powered monitoring system.

Volunteers, trainees and employees convert e-waste into treasure and learn confidence and skills along the way. The centre provides training and employment opportunities to the young and disadvantaged and teaches skills to young entrepreneurs in the making.

Those who met Prince Andrew included Bradley Clair and Nick Kamols, representing PowerWells, a Logan startup which is lighting remote locations in third world countries with batteries powered by discarded lap top batteries. 

PowerWells is a finalist in Pitch@Palace, a competition started by Prince Andrew for social startups. Finals will be held at at the State Library of Queensland, Brisbane, tomorrow.

The Duke of York founded Pitch@Palace to provide a platform to amplify and accelerate the work of entrepreneurs. The public vote for the winner of the competition.

Last year’s winner Nev Hyman, of the Gold Coast startup Housing Humanity, went on to St James Palace, London, and won the finals.

“I’m excited for PowerWells. I wish them all the best,” he said.

Prince Andrew spent about an hour at Substation 33, meeting volunteers and trainees. He heard pitches from budding entrepreneurs including Andrea Lomax, who helmed a team that won Logan’s recent Start Up Weekend. 

“I can’t believe I just pitched to a Prince,” she said later.

Substation 33 founder Tony Sharp, a recent Queensland Australian of the Year nominee, said it had been something to have royalty in the room talking about startups and emerging businesses.

“He was here for 60 minutes and there wasn’t a moment he didn’t seem to be engaged,” Mr Sharp said.

Guests included YFS chief executive Cath Bartolo, Logan acting mayor Cherie Dalley and Cr Steve Swenson.