Various Australian healthcare startups received up to a $750,000 donation from tech giant Google as part of the company's second annual Google Impact Challenge event Oct. 25, according to ABC.net.
Ten finalists made their pitches to a panel of judges in Sydney. The winning software apps and programs included: an app that allows people in remote areas to test their eyesight, an app that helps people give up alcohol, an autonomous robot meant to clean up the Great Barrier Reef, mobile technology that records fish stocks around the globe and a system designed to send personalized messages to chronically ill patients, according to the article.
Each of the top finalists received $750,000 toward their project. Another five received grants worth $250,000. In total, Google donated nearly $5 million to contestants.
Jacquelline Fuller, president of Google.org and the Google Foundation, said the caliber of ideas coming out of contestants in the challenge was unparalleled.
"Typically [Google] only does an Impact Challenge once, and we came here two years ago and we were so impressed by the calibre of the ideas and the teams that came forward," Ms. Fuller told ABC.net. "I think the ideas here are not only the best innovators all across Australia, but absolutely on par with any of the best innovation ideas we've seen globally across nine countries."