Vending

17-year-old wins Pitch Night, $10K for vending machine business idea

Photo: Adobe Stock

September 9, 2024

Isaac Purcell, a 17-year-old entrepreneur, has become the youngest ever winner of an Ideas Place Pitch Night, according to a Warrnambool report. His innovative business idea for specialized vending machines catered to campers secured him $10,000 in seed funding.

Purcell, a student at Emmanuel College, competed against seven other South West entrepreneurs at the Pitch Night in Noorat, Australia. He was well-prepared for the competition after completing the Ideas Place Boot Camp, a series of workshops designed to help participants refine their ideas and present effectively.

"Even if I didn't win, I know that with the advice she gave me and with the steps that she suggested I take that I would be 10 steps ahead of where I would have been if I hadn't have joined the Boot Camp," Purcell told the news outlet.

The $10,000 prize will be used to fund and stock the first machine. Purcell hopes to scale his business quickly and meet the growing demand for specialized vending machines in the region.