Five out of six teams competing in the finals of the 2017 Just Start It competition were from CEWA colleges, with one of the two teams from Seton Catholic College taking out the grand prize of $15,000 funding for the development of their proposed app.

The Just Start It high school program supports students with know-how and industry mentors to develop ideas and apps that help solve practical problems with technology. In 2017 CEWA supported teams of students from nine Catholic colleges with places in the 20-week program, which culminated in the finals held at Perth Town Hall as part of the West Tech Fest in December.

Seton Catholic College’s Split Connect team won the 2017 Just Start It competition during West Tech Fest

Teams of students in the program reflect on what needs exist in the community, or parts of the community, sharpen their problem-solving skills, and learn to work collaboratively and creatively to develop a tech-enabled solution.

Kolbe Catholic College, Servite Catholic College, Mercedes College and Seton Catholic College teams all earned the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges at the final.

The Split Connect team from Seton Catholic College took out top spot on the day, winning $15,000 in funding for the development of their app, which aims to assist families and young people experiencing divorce by facilitating easier and more effective communication and connecting families with relevant services or professionals.

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