givvable crowned champion at Something Tech.’s River Rival 2025

1 September 2025 – For immediate release  

Givvable, a platform automating supplier diligence and responsible procurement, has been crowned Best of the Best at River Rival 2025—the grand finale of Something Tech., Australia’s premier startup showcase. The event drew more than 560 technologists, investors, and industry leaders from fintech, agtech, proptech, and beyond.

Chosen by a panel of esteemed judges, givvable co-founder Frances Atkins secured the top prize with the platform’s innovation, compelling pitch, and adoption by leading organisations including Microsoft, AWS, Flight Centre, and TikTok.

“I really love being part of the Queensland startup community and this recognition through River Rival will help our brand, and help us accelerate responsible and sustainable procurement, not just here in Australia, but worldwide. The startup community here is so special, and I feel so supported as I know the other participants do too as well,“ said Frances Atkin.

Additional honours included Best in Product and People’s Choice, both won by Saara Jamieson, CEO of Cool Beans, a research-backed men’s health device designed to improve fertility and reproductive wellbeing.

Eight emerging startup founders pitched live on stage before a packed audience of investors, corporates, and other founders: 

• Teya Evans, Melt: A social app that instantly connects people in the same place
• Dr Giselle Torres, Rise: A healthcare operating system that ensures compliance and delivers person-centred care from day one
• Alex Ferguson, Request Rocket: A lightweight Universal Authentication Translation technology
• Careen Redman-Matthews, Humaneer: An AI-driven platform supporting SMEs in their HR policy, advice to operations
• Alok Patel, Azymmetric: An AI-powered SaaS accelerating adoption of mission-critical technologies in national security
• Tianda Williams, uForage: An app linking growers, makers, and foragers with consumers.

This year’s judging panel featured Blue Corridor Ventures founding partner Steve Allen, Side Stage Ventures principal Elli Hanson, Skalata Ventures investment director and ACS Labs EIR Shahirah Gardner, and Dr Prash Puspanathan, investor, serial entrepreneur and co-founder at Enosis Therapeutics.

“At River Rival, we see the future of Australian innovation unfolding on stage. These founders are not just pitching, they’re showing us the intelligence in Australia that is transforming industries, communities, and the way we live,” said Pauline Fetaui, River City Labs director.

“Our role is to shine a light on them and accelerate their path to becoming the next global success stories,” said Fetaui.

Something Tech. has already proven to be a launchpad for Australian startups, with past River Rival participants securing significant investment and partnerships, including Heatseeker AI ($2.3 million pre-seed), The Laundry Lady ($1 million seed), and Coach Welly ($4.25 million pre-seed).

The festival also spotlighted entrepreneurs who have successfully scaled, including Greg Miller, co-founder of Area Mars and exited co-founder of Faethm (acquired for over $100 million in 2021), and Curtis Thomson, co-founder of simPRO, one of Australia’s thriving unicorns. Their stories show emerging founders what is possible and highlight the community of support that surrounds them as they scale.

Photo captions

• GROUP: Eight emerging startup founders pitched live on stage on a night celebrating Australia’s boldest emerging founders.
• FRANCES ATKINS: Frances Atkins (left) gave a compelling pitch that crowned givvable champion of River Rival 2025.
• SAARA JAMIESON: Saara Jamieson (left), CEO of Cool Beans, took home Best in Product and People’s Choice.
• After eight powerful pitches, the judges weigh their decision.

-ENDS-

Further information

Troy Steer

Director of Corporate Affairs and Public Policy

M – 0417 173 740

E – [email protected]

About River City Labs

River City Labs fosters the growth of startup companies wanting to solve big problems. We provide resources to empower, support and connect entrepreneurs. Central to everything we do is a focus on collaboration and connection.

Since 2012 over 700 entrepreneurs have called RCL home. Through our events program we have welcomed more than 29,000 guests into our community by hosting over 1000 events aimed at supporting founders on their entrepreneurship journey.

River City Labs powers a range of programs, events and engagement opportunities, enabling our corporate partners to innovate differently and embed their teams within the start-up community.

About ACS 

ACS is the voice of Australia’s technology sector, representing over 40,000 technology professionals across all industries and across the nation. Our members work in industry, education, government, and the community delivering the digital services that drive the nation and provide the high-skilled jobs of today and tomorrow.

ACS works to grow the technology sector while making sure IT professionals act ethically, responsibly, and in keeping with the best interests of not only their employers, but the wider community. Through our network of branches in every state and Territory, our innovation labs, education programs and our history of over fifty years, ACS works to help all Australians be part of the nation’s highest growth sector. Visit www.acs.org.au for more information.

GROUP: Eight emerging startup founders pitched live on stage on a night celebrating Australia’s boldest emerging founders.

FRANCES ATKINS: Frances Atkins (left) gave a compelling pitch that crowned givvable champion of River Rival 2025.

SAARA JAMIESON: Saara Jamieson (left), CEO of Cool Beans, took home Best in Product and People’s Choice.

After eight powerful pitches, the judges weigh their decision.