There are business opportunities that expand your reach. And some opportunities expand your perspective. Being chosen as a grant reviewer and mentor judge for the Uber x Business Booster Program offered a chance to drive real impact for entrepreneurs.
It wasn’t just about assessing applications. It was about entering into the stories behind them. I was trusted to help shape outcomes that could change lives.
Why This Experience Mattered
At The Growth Manager, everything we do is built on one core belief: Businesses should create opportunities not just for the founder, but for the wider community around them.
When I was invited to serve as a judge on the Business Booster program, it immediately aligned with that belief. This was not a conceptual exercise. This was a national program supporting entrepreneurs, many of whom were:
- Building businesses while working long hours
- Supporting families
- Controlling financial pressure
- Taking their first real step into entrepreneurship
And importantly, many of these founders were part of the Uber ecosystem, balancing driving or delivery work while trying to build something of their own. That takes incredible courage to pursue a dream while balancing daily demands. That deserves firm support. Bold vision should always be encouraged.
What the Uber x Business Booster Program Represents
The Uber Business Booster initiative, in partnership with Inspiring Rare Birds, is designed to support early-stage entrepreneurs with:
- Education
- Mentoring
- Practical business training
- Grant funding opportunities
The Pitch Competition component, which I judged, brought together founders from across Australia and New Zealand.
In 2025, the program saw:
- Over 9,000 entrepreneurs enrolled
- 76 pitch competition entries submitted for judging
This is not small-scale. It is an opportunity for ecosystem-level change, not simply individual growth. And what stood out most wasn’t merely the volume. It was the diversity of ideas, backgrounds, and lived experiences behind each application.
The Role of a Judge: More Than Scoring
From the outside, judging can look simple. Watch the pitches. Score them. Move on.
In reality, it carries responsibility. Each application represents:
- Someone’s time
- Someone’s risk
- Someone’s belief in what they are building
We were guided to engage with the process not simply as evaluators, but as collaborators.
One message from the program organisers stayed with me:
“Think of your scoring as an act of allyship. It has the power to lift someone into a life-changing opportunity.”
That framing creates possibility, reminding us we can help spark transformation. It shifts the focus from critique to contribution.
The Judging Process
Each pitch was assessed using a structured scoring rubric designed to guarantee fairness and consistency.
The four key criteria were:
1. Clarity
Clarity: Assess whether the founder clearly and efficiently communicated their business mission, funding goals, and expected impact.
2. Business Potential
Business Potential: Evaluate if the business demonstrates market understanding, scalability, financial viability, and strategic analysis.
3. Leadership and Passion
Leadership and Passion: Consider the founder’s commitment, resilience, and capability to execute the business plan.
4. Applying Learnings
Applying Learnings: Judge whether the founder successfully applied business concepts and structured the pitch with insight.
Each criterion was scored out of five, with a total possible score of 20.
But beyond the scoring system, there were guiding principles that mattered even more:
- Potential over polish
- Substance over style
- Context instead of perfection
- Courage over confidence
Many applicants were not polished presenters. But they were constructing something real. And that is what we were there to assess.
Reviewing 70+ Applications: What Stood Out
Across the applications, several patterns appeared.
1. Resourcefulness Over Resources
Many founders operated with limited capital but demonstrated excellent problem-solving skills.
2. Purpose-Led Thinking
A significant number of businesses were built around solving real-world problems, not merely chasing profit.
3. Early-Stage Clarity Gaps
This is where mentoring matters most. Great ideas often lacked:
- Structured business models
- Clear market role
- Defined growth strategies
Which is exactly why programs like this are so important. They bridge the gap between idea and execution.
The Burden of Decision-Making
One of the most important parts of this process was understanding that not every strong idea would progress. From 74 entries, the judging process narrowed the pool to the top 30 shortlist, before moving to a final round of 10. That means many deserving founders did not move forward. Responsible judging acknowledges deserving founders who may not progress. Even when someone does not win, the experience should help them move forward. That is why feedback is critical. It is not about rejection. Feedback isn’t about rejection; it’s about refinement.
Celebrating the Winners
When the final results were announced, three standout businesses received grant funding:
- 1st Place – $25,000: Flora
A reimagined menstrual disc made for comfort, accessibility, and confidence. - 2nd Place – $15,000: Smart Cover
Protective covers for solar panels to reduce damage from extreme weather. - 3rd Place – $10,000: I Am Hot Honey
A premium product packaged in compostable, plantable packaging to support bee-friendly ecosystems.
These businesses represent exactly what the program is designed to support:
- Innovation.
Sustainability.
Practical impact.
But it is important to say this clearly. Success is measured by the joint progress of all participants, not only grant recipients. It is defined by everyone who participated.
What This Experience Confirmed for Me
Spending time reviewing applications at this scale reinforces something I see daily in my mentoring work. There is no shortage of good ideas. What is often missing is:
- Structure
- Strategy
- Clarity
- Confidence
And those things can be built. Entrepreneurship is not reserved for those who start with everything figured out. It is built through iteration, feedback, and support. This program accelerates that process.
Why Giving Back Matters
As business owners, it is easy to become focused on our own growth.
Our own clients. Our own revenue. Our own challenges. But part of sustainable leadership is contribution. Giving back via initiatives like this:
- Strengthens the ecosystem
- Elevates the standard of business thinking
- Creates opportunities for others
And importantly, it keeps you grounded. It reminds you why you started.
The Connection to The Growth Manager
Everything I saw in this program reinforces the work we do at The Growth Manager.
We support business owners who are:
- Capable but overwhelmed
- Driven but unclear
- Busy but not always strategic
And we help them build:
- Clear growth plans
- Sustainable systems
- Focused marketing strategies
- Scalable business models
The same gaps I saw in early-stage founders during the judging process are the same gaps we help clients solve every day. With focused support, every business gap can become an opportunity.
A Final Reflection
Being part of the Uber x Business Booster program was a privilege. Not because of the title. But because of the impact. To review applications. To support founders. To add to a process that allocates real funding. That is why reviewing, supporting, and allocating real funding makes a lasting difference. To everyone who applied:
- You showed up.
- You put your idea forward.
- You took a risk.
That alone is worthy of celebration and proof that you are moving toward your vision.
And to the winners:
You secured your place. You demonstrated potential, clarity, and commitment. And I look forward to seeing what you build next.
If You Are Reading This as a Business Owner
Take this as your reminder. You do not need everything to be perfect to move forward.
You need:
- Clarity.
- Structure.
- Support.
Because ideas do not grow businesses, execution does. And execution becomes easier when you are not doing it alone.
Ready to Strengthen Your Business Strategy?
If you are building your business and feel like you are sitting somewhere between “good idea” and “clear direction,” that is exactly where mentoring makes the biggest difference.
- Sharpen your strategy
- Strengthen your positioning
- Build sustainable systems
- Move forward with confidence.
Growth should be structured, purposeful, and empowering.
Not overwhelming.
You can do this. Your vision is possible. Lead boldly and embrace your journey. Start now and start building the business you want. Growth starts with your next step.
