MYOB enters the Battlefield with TechCrunch & ELEVACAO

*TechCrunch Battlefield comes to Australia, in partnership with ELEVACAO

*Australian startups get access to the global technology super stage

*TechCrunch looks to Australia as a serious player in start-up space

One of the world’s most sought-after start-up competitions has identified Australia and NZ as the next big opportunity in the start-up world.

TechCrunch, in partnership with ELEVACAO, announced at MYOB on Monday that Battlefield will come to Australia in November for a one day event as part of its global quest to identify new markets that are rapidly becoming hubs for emerging start-ups.

Technology start-up news site, TechCrunch, has been running its Battlefield competition since 2007 which includes a premiere start-up pitching competition. Since its inception more than 700 start-ups have competed in the Battlefield and gone on to raise more than $7 billion in funding, and resulting in nearly 100 IPOs or acquisitions.

“After many years of wanting to come to Australia we are finally here. Battlefield is the crown jewel of TechCrunch. I don’t think there is any start-up competition that compares,” said Ned Desmond, COO of TechCrunch.

“Australia and NZ have an ecosystem that has really accelerated. It’s clear that Australia is a grown up, serious player in the global tech ecosystem, that’s why Battlefield belongs here too. It’s another opportunity for start-ups to get the attention they deserve- from investors, potential partners and new customers. That’s what we do, we help them accelerate things.”

MYOB Startup Community Manager, Kristen Holden said that the partnership with ELEVACAO to bring TechCrunch Battlefield to Australia was “game-changing for the local startup ecosystem and demonstrates the strength of the Australian startup community”.

“MYOB is the original Australian fintech start-up and we want to do whatever we can to help take Australian ideas to the world and help businesses succeed. The Australian start-up ecosystem has exploded over the last 10 years and it’s the perfect time for a strong international brand like TechCrunch Battlefield to come into the market. This event gives entrepreneurs and their ideas an international stage and more importantly access to some of the world’s best start-up minds like no other,” said Mr Holden.

TechCrunch Battlefield Australia will take place in Sydney on 16 November 2017. Battlefield features 15 top early stage start-ups pitching top judges in front of a vast live audience, present in person and online. The winner takes away the Battlefield Cup, $25,000 equity-free cash prize. An all-expense paid trip (for two) to exhibit at TechCrunch’s flagship global competition, Disrupt Battlefield SF 2018 and compete in the Startup Battlefield, assuming the company still qualifies for that competition.

TechCrunch has partnered with ELEVACAO Foundation, a global not for profit empowering women tech entrepreneurs, to bring Battlefield to Australia. As a platinum sponsor MYOB will join some big players with headline event partners, Founders for Founders and Hoist, the joint venture of Mirvac and YBF. TechCrunch and its partnership with ELEVACAO are bringing together the best in the start-up industry in Australia.

ELEVACAO Founder and CEO Marisa Warren said, “Battlefield is an event for startups that brings together all key stakeholders in the industry.  We are thrilled to have MYOB join as a Platinum Sponsor. As a house-hold Australian brand MYOB’s DNA is working with startups and small businesses in a collaborative approach.”

More information about TechCrunch Battlefield Australia can be found at battlefieldaustralia.techcrunch.com

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For further comment or other information please contact:

Amy Kirkwood, Australian PR Manager, MYOB
M: 61427 822 088 / E: amy.kirkwood@myob.com

Georgia Colahan, Ogilvy PR
P: 02 8437 5384 / M: 0432 882 080 / E: Georgia.Colahan@ogilvy.com.au

About MYOB
MYOB Group Ltd (ASX: MYO) is a leading cloud based business management solutions provider. It makes business life easier for approximately 1.2 million businesses across Australia and New Zealand by simplifying accounting, payroll, tax, practice management, CRM, job costing, inventory and more. MYOB provides ongoing support via many client service channels including a network of over 40,000 accountants, bookkeepers and other consultants. It is committed to ongoing innovation, particularly in cloud computing solutions, and in 2015 was awarded the BRW award for the most innovative large company for 500+ employees and placed 2nd in BRW’s Most Innovative Companies Award list across all categories nationally.  For more information, visit http://investors.myob.com.au/Investors or follow @MYOB on Twitter.