TEN Redland businesses threw out their best lines to reel in a slice of $150,000 of federal funding when Bowman MP Andrew Laming opened up his Shark Tank on Monday.
In a mock spin off of the popular Channel 10 reality TV show, the not-for-profit contestants made five-minute business pitches to a panel of "shark" investors.
Everyone in the crowd of 260 at Redlands RSL voted in teams to determine the amount each not-for-profit organisation should get from the Stronger Communities funding program.
Score sheets rated every not-for-profit funding application presentation and were tallied at the end of the evening.
Redland Shark Tank winner, Volunteer Marine Rescue Raby Bay, netted more than $16,500.
In second place was Redland Bay Men’s Shed hooking just over $15,000 and Redland’s Food Relief in third place with over $14,500.
It was Redland city's largest philanthropic event and was run with the help of guest speaker Impact Academy’s Peter Ball and the support of the Redland Foundation and Regional Development Australia.
Mr Laming said it was an equitable and fun way to distribute much-needed government funding to worthy community organisations.
“There are grants of up to $20,000 available for projects that will drive economic activity and entrepreneurship in Redlands,” he said.
“We’ve had proposals flooding from local not-for-profit groups, and Redland businesses are excited to be involved in the judging process.
“Our business community has the experience and the knowledge to judge these proposals fairly, and it’s great to see them getting involved in assisting me with the distribution of these funds."
The Cage managing director Linda Grieve, whose foundation presented its proposal to the Shark Tank, said the Stronger Communities program was “an excellent opportunity to assist not-for-profit groups to benefit the community”.
She said The Cage’s proposal focussed on upskilling youth in Redlands.
“Our proposal was a social enterprise project that has the ability to turn into an opportunity for upskilling, mentoring and youth development, with long-term potential to generate an income for The Cage with possible job opportunities,” she said.
“We decided to apply for the Stronger Communities program as it fits with what we are wanting to achieve with our concept and would provide the possibility of getting started on our small social enterprise capital project earlier than expected.
“The aim of our project is to improve our local community and contribute to vibrant and viable communities.”
Mr Laming said every organisation received a portion of the $150,000.
Shark Tank 2, next year, will hand out a further $150,000.
Not-for-profit organisations wanting to participate must apply before April.
