Fish Tank

fish tank orange blue icon

Applications to the 2023 Fish Tank, Council’s youth entrepreneurship program, are now closed.

Fish Tank provides the opportunity for people 12 to 25 years of age to win a prize package that will help grow their business.

Young people who live, work, play or study in the City of Unley are invited to apply to the program with their business idea. Applications are assessed against selection criteria by a judging panel. 10 top finalists progress to the Fish Tank Pitch Night, where they pitch their business idea to the Fish Tank – a panel of judges – to win seed funding and business mentorship opportunities.   

If you are a budding entrepreneur, sign up to the Living Young e-newsletter to receive notification of future Fish Tank rounds. 

If you are a mentor, educator or business leader interested in supporting Fish Tank, we encourage you to get in contact.
Contact us via email 

2023 Fish Tank Prizes

12 – 17 years

1st Prize – Futurepreneurs Launchpad mentoring package facilitated by entrepreneurship educator Sasha Dragovelic, including two x 2 hour mentoring sessions (valued at $780) + $500 seed money.

2nd Prize – $ 300 seed money.

18 – 25 years

1st Prize – Business SA SAYES (South Australian Young Entrepreneur Scheme) 12 month workshop and mentoring program (valued at $1,600) + $500 seed money. 

2nd Prize - $300 seed money.

All participants in the Fish Tank Pitch Night will receive a Living Young prize pack and participation certificate.  

2023 Fish Tank FAQs

I don’t live in the City of Unley, can I still apply?

You must live, work, study or play in the City of Unley to apply for Fish Tank. This means your school, place of study, sporting club, recreational club or workplace is located in the City of Unley. If you are unsure if you meet these requirements, please contact the Community Development Project Officer, Youth on pobox1@unley.sa.gov.au or 8372 5111.

See a map of the City of Unley.

How strict are the age requirements?

Entrants must be aged 12 to 25 years at the time of entry application.  

Can I apply as part of a duo or group*?

  • Applicants for the 12 – 17 years age category can apply as part of a group of up to 4 participants providing the group is working on the same idea. Please note – prizes are awarded per idea, not per person. Prize only awarded per person if it is a single applicant.

    *If entering as a duo or group, each group member must complete an application form.

  • Applicants for the 18 – 25 years age category can only apply as a single applicant. Please note – prizes are awarded per person as there is only one placement for the Business SA SAYES prize.

 

What to consider when submitting your business idea for the application form?

IMPACT

What impact will your business idea or product have on the other people, the community, the environment and even the world?

INNOVATION

Is your business idea or product something new, different, and or existing?

CREATIVITY

Has imagination been applied to your business idea or product?

PRACTICALITY

Is your business idea or product actually possible?

BUDGET

Are the costs involved with your business idea or product realistic and achievable?

My business is already established, am I still eligible to apply?

Yes, if you have an established business and or product you are still eligible to apply. However, you must be able to prove that you need the financial and mentoring support for your business or product to develop further. 

My business is just an idea at this stage, am I still eligible to apply?

Yes, if you simply just have a business idea you are eligible to apply. You must ensure that you explain the business idea in detail, in your application form.

I participated in Fish Tank 2016, 2019, 2021, 2022 and or Change Makers 2018, am I still eligible to apply?

Yes, previous Fish Tank 2016, 2019, 2021, 2022 and Change Makers 2018 participants may submit an application, however it must be for a different business idea and or product than previously presented. 

What is the prize package?

12 – 17 years

1st Prize – Futurepreneurs Launchpad mentoring package facilitated by entrepreneurship educator Sasha Dragovelic, including two x 2 hour mentoring sessions (valued at $780) + $500 seed money.

2nd Prize – $ 300 seed money.

18 – 25 years

1st Prize – Business SA SAYES (South Australian Young Entrepreneur Scheme) 12 month workshop and mentoring program (valued at $1,600) + $500 seed money. 

2nd Prize - $300 seed money.

What is the time commitment to participate in Fish Tank?

Activity

Date

Promotion to commence

Wednesday 15 March 2023

Call for Applications OPEN

Wednesday 15 March 2023

Applications CLOSE

Sunday 30 April 2023, Midnight

Fish Tank Entrepreneurship Workshop – Unley Civic Centre

Wednesday 19 April 2023, 6pm – 8pm 

Presentation & Pitch Workshop  - Fullarton Park Community Centre

Saturday 6 May 2023, 1pm – 3pm

Fish Tank, Pitch Night Event - Unley Town Hall

Thursday 11 May 2023, 5.45pm for a 6pm start – 8pm

 

When will I know if I am one of the top 10 finalists?

The top 10 finalists will be notified by email and phone by Monday 1 May 2023.

I can’t attend the Fish Tank Entrepreneurship Workshop on Wednesday 19 April 2023, can I still submit an application form for Fish Tank?

Yes, you can still submit an application form. The Fish Tank Entrepreneurship Workshop is not mandatory to attend, however it will provide useful information about entrepreneurship and insights from special guest speakers. It will also assist you in preparing your application form.

If I am selected as one of the Top 10 finalists to present at the Fish Tank Pitch Night and I can’t attend the Presentation & Pitch Workshop on Saturday 6 May 2023, can I still pitch my business idea at the live Fish Tank Pitch Night on Thursday 11 May 2023?

Unfortunately not, it is mandatory to attend the Presentation & Pitch Workshop if you have been selected as one of the Top 10 finalists to be able to pitch at the live Fish Tank Pitch Night. If you are unable to attend the Presentation & Pitch Workshop, then you will forfeit your place in the competition. 

If I am selected as one to the Top 10 finalists and I can’t attend the Fish Tank Pitch Night on Thursday 11 May 2023, can I still participate in Fish Tank?

Unfortunately not, it is mandatory to attend the Fish Tank Pitch Night if you have been selected as one of the Top 10 finalists. If you are unable to attend the Fish Tank Pitch Night, then you will forfeit your place in the competition. 

Who are the judges for the live Fish Tank Pitch Night?

  • City of Unley Mayor, Michael Hewitson AM
  • Sasha Dragovelic, Founder of Futurepreneurs Launchpad, entrepreneurial & enterprise education programs
  • A representative from Business SA
  • A previous Fish Tank participant.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact the Community Development Project Officer, Youth at pobox1@unley.sa.gov.au or 8372 5111.

2023 Fish Tank terms and conditions

Fish Tank 2023

Terms and Conditions of Entry

The promoter is the City of Unley, 181 Unley Road, Unley SA 5061

Eligibility

  • Applicants must live, work, study or play in the City of Unley.
  • Applicants must be 12 to 25 years of age at the time of application. 
  • Applicants must complete the online application form on the City of Unley website.
  • Applicants may submit only one version of their business idea per online application form. However, any applicant may submit more than one pitch. A separate application form must be completed for each submission.
  • An application may be submitted for an existing business and or product but the applicant must be able to prove that they need the financial and mentoring support for their business or product to develop further.
  • Applicants for the 12 – 17 years age category can apply as part of a group of up to 4 participants providing the group is working on the same idea. Please note – prizes are awarded per idea, not per person. Prize only awarded per person if it is a single applicant.
  • Applicants for the 18 – 25 years age category can only apply as a single applicant. Please note – prizes are awarded per person as there is only one placement for the Business SA SAYES prize.
  • Previous Fish Tank 2016, 2019, 2021, 2022 and Change Makers 2018 participants may submit an application, however it must be for a different business idea and or product than previously presented.
  • Living Young Reference Group members may submit an application.
  • Applications close on Sunday 30 April 2023, Midnight.
  • Applications received after the closure date/time will not be eligible.
  • All applicants under the age of 18 must have the consent of a parent or guardian to enter the competition and who must agree to the terms and conditions behalf of the applicant.
  • Applicants under the age of 18 who progress to the Live Fish Tank Pitch Night must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to the Fish Tank Pitch Night event.
  • Employees and Elected Members of the City of Unley and their immediate families, and agencies associated with the promotion are ineligible to enter.

How to Enter

  • Complete the online application form with personal details and outline of business idea and or product.  
  • Applicants must complete an image release form as part of the online entry form. Applicants under the age of 18 must have the consent of a parent or guardian.
  • Business idea or product can be anything you like, the more creative the better.
  • The City of Unley reserves the right to disqualify any person who tampers with the entry process.
  • Applicants must ensure that their business idea or product does not violate any copyright laws. The City of Unley takes no responsibility for entrants who do not submit original content.
  • No responsibility will be accepted for late, or misdirected entries or entries sent but not received by The City of Unley.
  • Entry details remain the property of the City of Unley.

Judging Process

 

  • All applications will be assessed against a criteria by an internal panel comprising the Community Development Project Officer – Youth, Team Leader of Community & Cultural Development and one other panel member who will determine the top 10 finalists. The criteria will assess impact, innovation, creativity, practicality and budget.
  • Feedback for unsuccessful applicants will not be provided.
  • The top 10 finalists will be notified by email and phone by Monday 1 May 2023.
  • The top 10 finalists must be available to participate in the Pitch & Presentation workshop on Saturday 6 May 2023, 1.00pm – 3.00pm, at the Fullarton Park Community Centre. 
  • Should any of the finalists not be able to attend the Pitch & Presentation workshop and or the Fish Tank Pitch Night, they will forfeit their place in the competition and another applicant may take that place.
  • Finalists must give a 3 minute pitch to present their business idea to a panel of judges. Judges will then have two minutes after the pitch to ask questions to the finalist.
  • Pitches must not exceed 3 minutes.
  • The two category winners of Fish Tank, chosen by the judges based on the judging criteria will be announced at the Fish Tank Pitch Night event.
  • The top 10 finalists will pitch their business idea at the ‘Fish Tank, Pitch Night’ on Thursday 11 May 2023 5.45pm for a 6.00pm start – 8.00pm, at the Unley Town Hall.
  • The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

     

Competition Timeline

  • The promotion to call for submissions, commences at 9.00am Wednesday 15 March 2023 and closes at Midnight Sunday 30 April 2023.
  • Fish Tank Entrepreneurship Workshop; Wednesday 19 April 2023 6.00pm – 8.00pm at the Unley Civic Centre. Young people will get the opportunity to learn more about entrepreneurship and assist them to prepare their application forms. Young people will also hear from business leaders and young entrepreneurs. Registration is essential, visit unley.sa.gov.au/fish-tank by 17 April 2023.
  • Presentation & Pitch Workshop (only for the top 10 finalists); Saturday 6 May 2023, 1.00pm – 3.00pm at the Fullarton Park Community Centre. The top 10 finalists will gain skills in public speaking and learn the art of pitching/ presenting.  
  • Fish Tank, Pitch Night; Thursday 11 May 2023 5:45pm for a 6.00pm start – 8.00pm, at the Unley Town Hall.

Prizes

12 – 17 years
1st Prize – Futurepreneurs Launchpad mentoring package facilitated by entrepreneurship educator Sasha Dragovelic, including two x 2 hour mentoring sessions (valued at $780) + $500 seed money.
2nd Prize – $ 300 seed money.

18 – 25 years
1st Prize – Business SA SAYES (South Australian Young Entrepreneur Scheme) 12 month workshop and mentoring program (valued at $1,600) + $500 seed money.
2nd Prize - $300 seed money.

All participants will receive a Living Young prize pack and participation certificate.

Fish Tank Winners

  • The winners of the Fish Tank Pitch Night will be announced on the night of the Fish Tank Pitch Night event. The winners will be acknowledged with public announcement posted on the City of Unley website and social media platforms the week starting 15 May 2023, along with further promotional opportunities to follow.
  • All prize seed money will be awarded to the winners via direct credit.
  • All prize seed money must go towards the winners business idea or product. Within 12 months of receipt of prize seed money the winner must provide the City of Unley with an acquittal form.
  • The funds provided will be spent by the winner within 12 months of receiving the prize seed money unless otherwise agreed by the Council.
  • The 18 – 25 year category winner will be contacted directly by Business SA in regard to the start date of the Business SA SAYES program.
  • The Futurepreneurs Launchpad mentoring package will commence in June 2023 and the category winner will be contacted directly by the Community Development Project Officer - Youth to coordinate the mentoring sessions with the facilitator Futurepreneurs Launchpad.

Publicity

  • All finalists of the competition agrees to upon request, participate in promotional activities required by the City of Unley including but not limited to; publicity, photography, video and appearances.
  • The finalists consent to the use of their name, photograph and video footage for the City of Unley promotional materials.