Startup Stories - Jess Koncz (Crave)
JessKoncz
Newcastle entrepreneur, Jess Koncz, started the popular Instagram page @cravenewcastle in 2014. This hobby project, began with the goal of showcasing and supporting local cafes and restaurants, but Jess soon discovered that the local food industry lacked understanding around utilising the power of social media. Drawing on her passion for food, Jess built her social media agency on a deep understanding of the hospitality sector, and has a reputation for delivering highly relevant and valuable marketing campaigns to her clients. Seven employees later and a following of more than 46, 000 people on Instagram, Crave’s vision has expanded along with their ambitions.
Leveraging Crave’s incredible following, she then decided to expand her passion and develop the Crave App. Described as ‘Tinder for food’, but instead of matching people it matches users to food and connects them to the venue that made it. Working with new and existing clients, Jess was able to hustle 24 local businesses and 10 of their dishes to be involved ahead of the June release which saw thousands of downloads across Newcastle and the Hunter Region in only a few days.
Jess has her sights on the global market and this September will be taking Crave to the LAUNCH Incubator where she’ll be pitching prominent Silicon Valley technologists, pioneers and investors. Come along and hear Jess’s story of how she built a highly successful social media agency and a killer app, and what the next stage in her bright startup journey will bring.
Event is free but bookings essential - book here.
About Startup Stories
Startup Stories takes place every Thursday from 8am at the University of Newcastle's coworking space I2N Hub Hunter Street. Startup founders talk candidly about their experience as an entrepreneur and business owner – the highs, the lows, the wins, the mistakes, the whole enchilada. Startup Stories provides real-life examples of the different stages of the startup journey, creating a forum for startups to share and learn but also for the community to see tangible evidence of entrepreneurship making a difference in our region. #i2nStartupStories
Program Partners
UON is proud to be able to bring this event to you via the NSW State Government's Boosting Business Innovation Program.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.