We are delighted this week to be profiling Emma Fitzgerald and Oscar Ellison, part of the BasketTrack team that recently took out other competitors to clinch first place at Startup Weekend following a frenetic, 54-hour marathon of brainstorming, design, market validation, and presentation - touted as the biggest startup competition in the country.
BasketTrack is a shop analytics tool designed to collect consumer data and track shopping behaviour using a little beacon placed on trolleys and baskets. Startup Weekend is a pressure cooker event, specifically designed to clash people and ideas together in an environment where there is no time to stop and no place to go except up.
A major success but perhaps only the beginnings of more exciting times ahead for Emma, already an Account Executive at Heinz Watties, and Oscar, Founder and Managing Director of his own startup, YourDrive.
1. Most memorable show/event/concert and why?
Emma: First time seeing Cirque du Soleil under the big top - the music and story transport you to another world. Mesmerising.
Oscar: The Rolling Stones show last Saturday is fresh on my mind and right up there but most memorable would be The Streets in the boiler room at the Big Day Out. Mike Skinner really got the crowd going, put on an amazing show, and there was great vibe from everyone there.
2. You have $50 in your pocket on a Friday night out in Auckland – where would you go?
Emma: Late night Manhattans at Mo's with someone special. So cute there - but unfortunately that's probably only going to cover one round.
Oscar: Get a group of friends together for a cheeky BYO at one of the cheap asian eateries around town then head out for a drink or two in Ponsonby and see where the night goes.
3. If you were to produce/create a show, what would it be about?
Emma: Something that incorporates food, fashion, poetry, lighting, drama. Maybe also something a little risqué or unexpected...
Oscar: It would be a live show of unlikely music mashups. I saw a clip on Youtube this week of Nelly and the Bee Gees. Not sure how it would work but a whole show of random mashups like that.
4. Favourite piece of art/object/rock?
Emma: Rockefeller Centre, NYC. The view from the Top of the Rock. The architecture. The vision. The art all over the walls. The history. Christmas time. No matter how many times you've been there, each time you're bound to see something new.
Oscar: Banksy’s Parking Graffiti in Downtown LA with the girl swinging. It is so simple but it makes a really great statement about how we design the built environment around us.
5. One sentence to describe the arts, culture, and events scene in Auckland?
Emma: There's always something on, so make it your business to get out there and get involved!
Oscar: Diverse and interesting but fledgling.
