Sydney Innovation Festival 2022

Startup Networks & Culture with the Adam & Sachin Podcast

From left to right: Lachlan Andrews, Theodora Burgess and Jessica Norris — From left to right: Lachlan Andrews (Head of Corporate Communications, Canva), Theodora Burgess (Head of Community, Reddit), and Jessica Norris (Design Enablement, Atlassian)

Ever wondered what it's like to work in a startup? Or, where you could talk to people who are in startups and get more information? Now's your chance! Join Adam & Sachin as they dive into the Sydney innovation ecosystem with innovators from Canva, Reddit and Atlassian.

Startup Screw-ups: How we failed

From left to right: Imogen Barwick (Senior Stakeholder Engagement, University of Sydney), James Edwards (Founder of PetCircle), Jen Andre (co-founder of Kitchko)

We all read about the big success stories, but what about when things go wrong? Hear the lessons learned from Australia's most honest founders.

Round 2: Insights from Repeat Founders

From left to right: Adam Jacobs, co-founder of the ICONIC & Hatch, Jessica Kiely, founder of Frank & SENSOR.I.AM, Farid Mirmohensi, founder of WipeHero and INCUBATE alumni. — From left to right: Adam Jacobs (co-founder of the ICONIC & Hatch), Jessica Kiely (founder of Frank & SENSOR.I.AM) and Farid Mirmohensi (founder of WipeHero and INCUBATE alumni)

Imagine going through the grinding work of building a startup from scratch, with blood, sweat and tears. You finally make it sustainable and a success only to decide that you want to go through all of that AGAIN. We take a look at some of the University's most successful founders and ask them why they have chosen to start again at step 1.

Lights, Climate, Action! With Investible's Ben Lindsay (former INCUBATE)

Left to right: Ben Lindsay and Mark Rowland — From left to right: Ben Lindsay (former INCUBATE and ClimateTech Investor at Investible) and Mark Rowland (Chief Collaboration Officer at Greenhouse)

It is certain that we must reach a net zero future. So, what investments, policies and innovations are key to a sustainable future? Find out with Investible's Ben Lindsay, former INCUBATE and Mark Rowland, Chief Collaboration Officer at Greenhouse.

Sydney Innovation Festival 2022: Olympic Diver Melissa Wu

Melissa Wu talks about innovation and the overlaps between owning her own business and excelling as an Olympic athlete.

Sydney Innovation Festival 2021

Day one

Founder Talks: Fireside Chat with Judd Katz, Co-founder of Refundid

Founder Talks

Curious about how a startup can go from an idea to closing a successful multi-million dollar raise in under a year? Hear the story of Refundid, the latest Australian Fintech startup to do just that.

Benjamin Lindsay, Program Manager, INCUBATE
Judd Katz, Co-Founder of Refundid

Watch Founder Talks on YouTube

Innovation for students, by students

What is it like to work in a startup? Ask a student. How can I be involved in a startup society? Ask a student. What stories can we learn from Australia’s best innovators? Ask a student! This panel consists of recent graduates, and students involved in innovation across the University.

Matilda Langford, University of Sydney Student Ambassador
Audrey Thehamilhardja, Canva graduate
Muskan Jain, Enactus President
Rishabh Jain, SUSMI President
Adam Miller, The Sachin and Adam Show

Watch Innovation for students, by students on YouTube

Your FASS skills are exactly what startups and tech companies are looking for

Utilise your FASS skills in the startup world. Find out how unique skills add value from University of Sydney FASS alumni Matthew Bright. All students are welcome, but specifically targeted to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

Zara Seidler, Co-Founder of the Daily Aus
Matthew Bright, Business Development Lead, Zip Business, at Zip Co.
Valeria Peretokina, Learning Designer at Practera

New Multidisciplinary Major/Minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The University of Sydney is launching the brand-new Multidisciplinary Major/Minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Come along to this session to find out what this new major offers and how it will set you up for your future career.

Bernard Resch, Lecturer in Creativity, Innovation and Business, (Moderator)
Steven Maguire, Professor of Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the University of Sydney Business School
Paul Finn, Lecturer with the Discipline of Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Day two

Innovation for Planet Earth

What role does innovation play in reaching Australia’s sustainability targets, whether it be pollution, recycling, or emissions? And how can we, as budding innovators, assist?

Lucy Lin, Founder of Forestlyn; a consultancy for AI, data and blockchain companies
Mike Boyle, Australia and New Zealand Managing Director for HP Inc
Professor Thomas Maschmeyer, Prime Minister’s Award for Innovation 2020 winner
Jesse Suskin, Head of Government Relations at Google’s Wing

Watch Innovation for Planet Earth on YouTube.

Your Wellbeing Innovated

Lockdown restrictions have plagued individuals with countless issues, including isolation, burnout, and loss of connection. So how can we better manage our wellbeing through innovation?

Natasha Munasinghe, Director of Franked.io
Nicolas Brown, Batyr CEO
Danielle Owen Whitford, CEO of Pioneer & Genesis Winner 2021
Adam Spencer, MC, mathematician and comedian

Watch Your Wellbeing Innovated on YouTube.

It all starts with an idea: learn the art of startup ideation!

How did Afterpay even come up with the idea of Afterpay? Having an idea is the first step of the journey for all startups. In this rapid and interactive workshop learn how you can start generating your own ideas to explore!

Nina Juhl, Community Manager, INCUBATE
Alex Carpenter, Program Manager, Genesis

Thinking commercially about your research

An introduction to the considerations that research entrepreneurs should have during their research and for after they realise they have an invention.

Rupal Ismin, Director of Sydney Knowledge Hub
Associate Professor Ali Abbas, Director of Waste Transformation Research Hub
Dr Mobin Nomvar, Co-founder and CEO Scimita Ventures

Day three

Keynote Panel - What is a Startup and why should Australia make more?

What is a startup and why should Australia make more?

This keynote panel explores the Australian startup ecosystem, from its culture to incubators and funding opportunities and discusses what should be done to improve this journey for all.

Fenella Kernebone, Head of programming, Sydney Ideas (Moderator)
Lachlan Andrews, Global Communications Lead, Canva
Livia Wang, Co-Founder and CMO of Access Corporate Group
Lee Hatton, Executive Vice President, Afterpay
Amy Glancey, Chief of Staff, Atlassian

Watch What is a startup and why should Australia make more? on YouTube.

Interview with Melissa Wu

Melissa Wu tells us about her experience as a business owner and Olympic Athlete. Watch now on YouTube.

Sydney Innovation Festival 2020

Keynote Panel: Innovation and Social Impact

What exactly is innovation and how is it defined in the Australian context? Is it taboo to be an entrepreneur or has that changed? Finally, how can innovation unlock technologies to solve society’s greatest problems?

The Honourable Malcolm Turnbull, 29th Prime Minister of Australia,
Professor Hala Zreiqat AM, Biomedical Engineering, Director ARC Training Centre for Innovative Bioengineering, NHMRC Senior Research Fellow, The University of Sydney and Eureka Prize Winner for Innovative Use of Technology (2019)
Adam Spencer (session moderator), Author, Comedian and Maths Geek
Elysse Morgan, Host, ABC's The Business

Watch the Keynote Panel on YouTube.

Crisis or Opportunity?

COVID-19 has plagued businesses with countless issues, so how can we use it to our advantage? From finding people meaningful work, the changing city heartbeat, and individual mindsets, this panel with show you how thought-leaders are thriving in 2020.

Adam Jacobs, Co-Founder of the ICONIC & Hatch
Larissa Miller, Transport Advisory Team Leader at Arup
Sanket Totewar, Former Writer in Product, Engineering and R&D for Deputy

Watch Crisis or Opportunity? on YouTube.

Working in Innovation Post-COVID

What type of skills, talents and attributes are innovators looking for and what is the workplace like in 2020? This panel will highlight how you can bring an innovative mindset to any workplace.

Emer McCann, Talent and Operations Lead, Simply Wall St
Kate Archbold, Product Designer, Atlassian
Kyrillos Samaan, Principal Product Designer, Hudson
Karen Cavanaugh, Career Development Manager, The University of Sydney

Watch Working in Innovation Post-COVID on YouTube.

University Opportunities

So now you like innovation? Well find out how you can get involved! From first years to in-depth research students, there is a place for you in innovation at the University.

Industry and Community Projects & Inventing the Future
INCUBATE and Genesis
Sydney School of Entrepreneurship & Textbook Ventures
Techlab and ThinkSpace

Watch University Opportunities on YouTube.