WATHCH THE Spark Tank 2023

Neil has been CEO of Mills Group for the past 8 years, working with many of Australia’s best known retailers and brands across a wide range of products and services.

Outside of his most important role as a husband and father of 3 boys, his other passion is football (soccer) and he is involved with his local club as vice-president, coach and player. 

Neil  is also the Finance Director for Share the Spark. 

A purpose-driven Marketing, Brand and Communications Leader with a track record for innovation, enterprise transformation, building brand equity and driving sustainable growth.

Michelle has led marketing, brand and engagement teams at two of Australia’s leading universities. Most recently, she has run her own marketing consultancy, working as a trusted strategic advisor to CEO/COOs, Boards and Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) across diverse sectors including Higher Education, Technology, Mining, Travel, and NFP.

Out of the office she has raised awareness, funds and food donations for the hungry. She has actively supported military families in Australia and the United States who have been separated from, or have lost loved ones in the service of their country. In 2022, she was awarded the United States Army Meritorious Public Service Medal.

Michelle is a Certified Practicing Marketer (CPM) with the Australian Marketing Institute (AMI) and a previous mentor in AMI’s Emerging Marketers program. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcdonaldmichelle/

Tom is currently at NAB building banking technology systems. 

He has experience in "venture capital" teams and did work with larger startups and made investments in a few. Tom has reviewed business plans, mentored companies on opportunities, and helped them work in the corporate world.

He has three talented young people in his family and is a keen sailor, exploring the world for a year with his family on a catamaran. 

Paul is a problem-solving web expert with over 20 years in the industry, architecting and developing software  in operational and management roles. Since 2002 he has founded and built 2 web development companies to help small and medium sized businesses use the web and web-based systems to their advantage. Through his business he enjoys developing and encouraging the gifts in his employees, working on startup products and partnering with experts in their field to see their vision come to life by creating online software using the latest technologies

As a family man and active community member, Paul loves seeing the potential in kids activated and encouraged through sport and any initiative utilising their gifts and interests.

Paul proposed the idea for Spark Tank in 2019.

Barbara is a dedicated and result-driven professional with international experience. With her background in communications, her interlinked thinking, and her interest in societal and ecological topics she identifies activities and positions that add value to the business, its employees, customers, and its wider environment. 

Barbara has experience in developing thought leadership positions through effective communication and leveraging networks and partnerships. She supports charities in the APAC region and is excited to be part of the Spark Tank panel so she can share her many talents with young entrepreneurs. 

Simon is Head of Community at Vegepod Global. He is also a previous winner of Austrailan Shark Tank, so he knows the ropes from inside! Simon was part of the Vegepod team since the very beginning when they were local to Terrey Hills. Since then it’s been fantastic to watch them grow locally and internationally.

 Simon beleives it’s hard to find a better industry than gardening. It invariably makes people happy and healthy, both in body and mind. That in turn makes him stoked. Their idea for Vegepod has made edible gardening available to absolutely everyone, in any location, whatever the abode, every single day and without fail. 

 Simon is keen to see what amzaing ideas this years Spark Tank entrants have in store for us!

Remee and Gabriella are forming a surf camp program focusing on resilience through tackling key issues facing adolescents. The Sparks judges awarded them $3,200 seed funding, a $3,000 brand package, and 10 weeks of business coaching with change expert, Barbara. 

Melodie, Alice, Luke, and Rosie are forming a radio station for young people named Radio KBTO - Kids by the Ocean. The Sparks judges awarded them $2,300 seed funding, a $3,000 brand package, and 10 weeks of business coaching with start-up and media expert, Nigel. 

Beth and Joe form the team Wasted Potential, the name for their upcycled vintage clothing line that gives back. The Sparks judges awarded them $3,500 seed funding, a $3,000 brand package, and 10 weeks of business coaching with professional business expert, Anne.

Nathan and Tiarna are creating a blog, podcast, and social media community built with one purpose - to bridge the gap between high school and adulthood! The Sparks judges awarded them $5,000 seed funding, a $3,000 brand package, and 10 weeks of business coaching with funding expert, Nikolas. 

April, Cienna, Grace, and Skye form Next Step of Nature with their idea to educate young people about how the earth is being treated and how they can help. The Sparks judges awarded them $2,000 seed funding, a $3,000 brand package, and 10 weeks of business coaching with Bush to Bowl founder, Clarence. 

Luka and Arjun form the Gaming Anonymous team with their idea to create a peer-to-peer help group and educational app to combat gaming addiction in young people.  The Sparks judges awarded them $3,000 seed funding, a $3,000 brand package, and 10 weeks of business coaching with IT expert, Paul.