Tech Talk

For the companies trying to understand how to better approach government procurement, join the rest of us. Tendertrace is on the mission to more equitable, transparent insights on government spending, so engagement between private and public sectors can only improve. This powerful AI-driven platform is now in the hands of many to increase engagement and better outcomes for open trade, helping both sides of the market.

AJ will be one of this year’s River Rival Judges!

Tech Talk

The secret to healing our natural world lies within nature itself: using forces honed by billions of years of evolution. Blue Carbon harnesses the ocean’s wave power to decarbonise and optimise aquaculture, cool coral reefs, and capture carbon - reducing emissions, protecting the environment and boosting future global food security.

Planting the seeds of tomorrow’s giants.

Technology solutions for sustainable agrifood systems are not just a trend, but a necessity for the well-being of our planet, that promise to transform the way we farm and eat.  Yet whilst it is a fertile field, sowing the seeds of technology innovation in the agrifood industry has proven to be a long row to hoe for many companies.  How do industry and innovators thread the needle of enabling and supporting environmentally sustainable practices, whilst underpinning commercial sustainability of farming businesses? How do they achieve this alongside the everyday farming challenges of seasonality, labour capacity, remoteness and connectivity?

Where have all the Engineers gone? 

So, imagine the world 20 years from now. The Hype of generative AI has disappeared, we are here, but where are all the engineers?  Will the exponential growth of AI perpetuate us into a new world.  Where artistry, philosophical dialogue under circular 8-star rated manmade green havens for 2 hours a day is how we spend our time working on a basic universal income, whilst the machines take care of the 24/7 routines that previously plagued our 9-5s and home responsibilities?  

Increasing cashflow for Tech companies

For any early-stage business, cashflow is critical during your start and scale up phases, and there are a number of ways you can ameliorate this via government funding and financing. Join Caitlin Emery, our specialist from RSM Australia as she sets outs the different options and opportunities available.

Going Global UK and Asian Markets 

This is not careless talk and ideation on how you should go global, but an in-depth insight and checklist for you as the founder on what you need to do to enter into the UK and Asian Markets.

With tangible assets and network pathways from the co-nation leads of Tech Australia Advocates, this session is not to be missed.

Starting to scale with AWS – Ask Us Anything.

Did you know that 80% of all unicorns are on AWS? Did you know that AWS has a team in ANZ (and in Queensland!) just to support startups like yours? Talk to the head honcho John, the investor whisperer Lauren and the Queensland startup guru of AWS Raphael and ask anything you need to when it comes to launching, building and scaling your startup with AWS. An interactive session to deep dive into how AWS supports startups and their customers across ANZ and beyond.

Where have all the Engineers gone? 

So, imagine the world 20 years from now. The Hype of generative AI has disappeared, we are here, but where are all the engineers?  Will the exponential growth of AI perpetuate us into a new world.  Where artistry, philosophical dialogue under circular 8-star rated manmade green havens for 2 hours a day is how we spend our time working on a basic universal income, whilst the machines take care of the 24/7 routines that previously plagued our 9-5s and home responsibilities?

It’s your company you can do whatever the F*** you like

If you want stability, security and work-life balance - don't bother starting a company. The one consolation for giving that up, is that you get to do it your way - at least in theory. Patient Zero Co-ceos Demelza and Paul share the rewarding, humorous, and frequently painful journey of figuring out how to build a software engineering business. From ideology wars and flat structures, to hierarchies and dictatorships - we've made every mistake imaginable, and some how survived and flourished. God knows why, maybe you can help us understand it.

Going Global UK and Asian Markets 

This is not careless talk and ideation on how you should go global, but an in-depth insight and checklist for you as the founder on what you need to do to enter into the UK and Asian Markets.

With tangible assets and network pathways from the co-nation leads of Tech Australia Advocates, this session is not to be missed.

From a national consumer product that gives convenience, credibility and efficiently with auto servicing, to multi-million-dollar fleet auto care services. This little big marketplace is heading directly into global markets with its FinTech B2B model that optimises and enables greater integration from  the road to  shop, all whilst staying online.

Elli Hanson will share her journey leading the design and market launch of the world’s first patented electric flosser, Flaus. Elli drove product, brand, and strategy enabling Flaus to be listed in TIME Magazine Inventions of the Year, named one of Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas, and landing a deal on Shark Tank USA. But success did not happen without some bold ambition and vision. Now as a principal investor in Australia, her learnings as a founder in the American consumer market extend to all emerging founders looking to build the next high growth company expanding into global markets.

B2B sales are tough, especially for emerging technology companies. But it doesn't have to be. Learn from Gavin Tye, a B2B sales expert with extensive experience in technology companies. Gavin will share how to identify and tackle your biggest sales challenges and provide real-world examples of successful strategies. By attending, you'll gain actionable insights and proven techniques to enhance your sales performance and drive growth. Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your approach to B2B sales and achieve your goals.

The valley of death is a common term used in the global innovation sector and has been felt unfortunately all too often. More so, when building deep tech, that valley can start at the inception point, as research concepts, models and computation are worked through to find their way to some form of feasibility even before prototype.  It cost time, science, funding, and believers.  Professor Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop, AO, FAA, FRSB, has achieved many firsts in Australia, at Something Tech. we will hear some of those and the work being paved to translate deep tech across the Valley of Death. A pathway that other innovators can also now take. 

As global economies mandate carbon reduction goals, industries must meet these objectives in a cost-effective and measurable way. Unleash live is at the forefront of this mission, using advanced data analytics and computer vision to optimise flow and movement, driving sustainable practices across a broad range of industries. Hanno Blankenstein will share how Unleash live's technology reduces carbon emissions and improves efficiencies across industries.  

Entrepreneurship is a high-pressured game of life. It’s not for the faint hearted and not everyone will win. But it does consume your life and your mind. Finding a state of calm and training yourself at times to go mindless is the relief that we often crave, but don’t know how to get. This session is an interactive session with wearable brain training technology.   Where you will learn more about your mind and how to become mindless in order to get into a flow state, which results in high performance outcomes.

Going to the USA with Cake Equity  

Launching to the USA is like launching into multiple countries, it’s a challenge, Cake Equity rapidly scaled into the USA both leveraging their Investors, their experience in partnering and all started shortly after Covid, from the mighty Gold Coast, Queensland. In this talk you will hear about their strategy to launch and grow, from team, to partnerships and customers, pitfalls, lessons, and tactics. If you are considering an expansion into the USA, this is not to be missed.

Leonardo AI has caught the headlines with their explosive global growth in a remarkably short period of time since starting up. With the 3rd largest discord community globally, a customer base across 189 countries including Antarctica, they have truly demonstrated Product Market Fit.  Jessie Huges Leonardo's Head Creative Technologist will share their journey, their deep domain expertise, growth in delivering results for their B2C and B2B Global Community and their next chapter as Leonardo AI.

The Final Showdown: Securing Capital in an Economic Downturn for Emerging Tech Titans

Bootstrappers: The Resilient Warriors

The Bootstrappers are stepping into the ring with their self-funded, resilient approach. They emphasize lean operations and financial discipline, growing through internal revenue without taking on debt or giving away equity. This strategy fosters sustainability and resilience, but can they keep up with the fast pace of well-funded competitors? It’s a tough battle, but Bootstrappers never back down!

The Final Showdown: Securing Capital in an Economic Downturn for Emerging Tech Titans

Welcome to the Final Showdown! In the red corner, we have the high-flying Venture Capital Investors! In the blue corner, the versatile champions of Alternative Capital Pathways (Debt & Grants)! And in the green corner, the resilient Bootstrappers! These contenders are here to duke it out over the best strategy for emerging technology companies to secure capital during an economic downturn. Let’s get ready to rumble!

The Final Showdown: Securing Capital in an Economic Downturn for Emerging Tech Titans

Welcome to the Final Showdown! In the red corner, we have the high-flying Venture Capital Investors! In the blue corner, the versatile champions of Alternative Capital Pathways (Debt & Grants)! And in the green corner, the resilient Bootstrappers! These contenders are here to duke it out over the best strategy for emerging technology companies to secure capital during an economic downturn. Let’s get ready to rumble!

There are four primary elements real estate agents globally need to be successful in selling or leasing property. Blink Plus has serviced the market with a digital solution without the backend up to now. With traction before the tech, and a design on centred on customers actual needs, the opportunity to expedite how properties are taken to market has become very real.

Coupling NASA validated research by world renowned Prof Carolyn Richardson with a growing focus on improving health, performance and longevity, tech driven wearables are set to tackle the previously unknown, unmeasurable and too expensive. GravityFit is on a mission to deliver core and deep muscle strength to all.. from Astronauts to Athletes.

We live in a world where there's "Something Tech" in EVERYTHING. Almost every startup sets out to 'make a difference' and empower the world with innovation using new technology. Kuppu represents one such tech-company that's set out to empower every human with affordable, scalable, and trustworthy tech--ZOHO. Kuppu as an early employee of Zoho and now Leader is going to share key lessons from Zoho's 25+-years journey of starting up, how they reached the milestone of 100M users, making $1 billion annual revenue, while also being bootstrapped!

Where have all the Engineers gone? 

So, imagine the world 20 years from now. The Hype of generative AI has disappeared, we are here, but where are all the engineers?  Will the exponential growth of AI perpetuate us into a new world.  Where artistry, philosophical dialogue under circular 8-star rated manmade green havens for 2 hours a day is how we spend our time working on a basic universal income, whilst the machines take care of the 24/7 routines that previously plagued our 9-5s and home responsibilities?

The application of modern technologies for those living and working on the land like farmers is not as straightforward as other industries. Mustering livestock is gruelling, skykelpie has reskilled the art of mustering and stockmanship with drone technologies. Empowering farmers to be aerial pilots and better ways to care for livestock.

Pitfalls to deal making, from partnerships to investment, as an emerging business it’s easy to be so focused on product market fit to growth and capital that striking commercial deals that sting later can be an easy trap.  Get a sharp lesson from fellow founders, deal makers and shakers in just what to consider, how to guardrail yourself as much as possible as you emerge. 

Discussion about Startup Muster Survey + Chair Change over for panel

Nature-inspired innovations: how Earth Wisdom is shaping deeptech of the future. Dr Megan Sebben shares with us nature-aligned innovation be done and is being done in a modern-day deep tech society.  

Discover some of Australia’s Deep Tech companies tapping into ancient wisdom of the planet to cultivate and design our future. From ending plastic waste, to regenerative AgTech, to the way we source and sustain plants for medicine. You will get a taste of some of the big impact companies working hand in hand with nature and innovation.

Today Healthcare globally is still not accessible to everyone and the priority for preventative self-care seems still so far away every through our technology advancements.  In Dentistry Dr Padma Gadiyar and her team are on a mission to enable more affordable, preventative and accessible dental care globally through the Smilo.ai platform. 

The Final Showdown: Securing Capital in an Economic Downturn for Emerging Tech Titans

Welcome to the Final Showdown! In the red corner, we have the high-flying Venture Capital Investors! In the blue corner, the versatile champions of Alternative Capital Pathways (Debt & Grants)! And in the green corner, the resilient Bootstrappers! These contenders are here to duke it out over the best strategy for emerging technology companies to secure capital during an economic downturn. Let’s get ready to rumble!

It’s your company you can do whatever the F*** you like

If you want stability, security and work-life balance - don't bother starting a company. The one consolation for giving that up, is that you get to do it your way - at least in theory. Patient Zero Co-ceos Demelza and Paul share the rewarding, humorous, and frequently painful journey of figuring out how to build a software engineering business. From ideology wars and flat structures, to hierarchies and dictatorships - we've made every mistake imaginable, and some how survived and flourished. God knows why, maybe you can help us understand it.

Pauline Fetaui is the Director of ACS Labs which is the home for Tech Innovators and passionate Entrepreneurs. Pauline overseas the strategy and delivery included in some of our locations across Brisbane at River City Labs, Sydney at Harbour City Labs, Maroochydore Queensland at Ocean City Labs and the Virtual ecosystem of ACS Labs, Co-Founder of Something Fest and Something Tech. Queensland’s Digital, Innovation and Technology Festival, Co-Founder Seven Sisters Foundation. Prior to joining the emerging technology and startup ecosystem, Pauline spent 20 years leading and delivering Digital, Tech Transformation and Regulatory Change for Global and national large organisations across Banking, Superannuation, Insurance and Government and was Co-host of Podcast, Splash of Colour, Founder of CheeHoo (Personal Assistance Platform for the busy people)

We know that tech is our future, but not all tech is being shaped to equally benefit all humans. The human experience is never static. The disability community is the largest global minority anyone can join at any moment (if you aren't already part of it). As we age, we experience disability. It is not to be feared, or "othered".  We can do better and make better products for every-body. 

A Circular economy across our oceans and coast lines has been created through Phycohealth, where an incredible value chain exists reducing CO2 and Nitrogen waste whilst improving human health, through new food systems. Pia will share how Phycohealth has commercialised its research whilst on its mission to combat global warming.

Ricky Sevta, Co-Founder & GP at VentureOn Partners and CRO to billion-dollar business Simpro, will be joined by Ashik Ahmed, Co-founder of Deputy, for a Fireside Chat unpacking the ingredients in building billion dollar companies.

Welcome to Day 2, where we dive in to Emerging Technology empowering our Planet and Industries.

Josh Griggs, CEO of the Australian Computer Society (ACS), welcomes us to Day 2 of Something Tech. 2024, highlighting the importance of commercialisation for Australian Technology, and where the opportunities are for us to do more across Tech to build capability and innovation.

Sarah Smith Advance Queensland Director or Startups and the Precinct, joins the stage to open Day 2 of Something Tech. as our Platinum partner and a key enabler of innovation for Queensland.

Pitfalls to deal making, from partnerships to investment, as an emerging business it’s easy to be so focused on product market fit to growth and capital that striking commercial deals that sting later can be an easy trap.  Get a sharp lesson from fellow founders, deal makers and shakers in just what to consider, how to guardrail yourself as much as possible as you emerge.

Siobhan will be one of this year’s River Rival Judges!

Where have all the Engineers gone? 

So, imagine the world 20 years from now. The Hype of generative AI has disappeared, we are here, but where are all the engineers?  Will the exponential growth of AI perpetuate us into a new world.  Where artistry, philosophical dialogue under circular 8-star rated manmade green havens for 2 hours a day is how we spend our time working on a basic universal income, whilst the machines take care of the 24/7 routines that previously plagued our 9-5s and home responsibilities?  

Venture Capital Investors: The Big Money Heavyweights

Venture Capital Investors are swinging hard with their promise of substantial funds to fuel rapid growth and innovation. They offer big bucks in exchange for equity, enabling tech companies to scale quickly, hire top talent, and stay ahead of the competition. But beware! Taking on VC funding means giving up a slice of your company and facing the pressure to deliver sky-high returns. Will the lure of big money be enough to clinch the win?

Venture Capital Investors: The Big Money Heavyweights

Venture Capital Investors are swinging hard with their promise of substantial funds to fuel rapid growth and innovation. They offer big bucks in exchange for equity, enabling tech companies to scale quickly, hire top talent, and stay ahead of the competition. But beware! Taking on VC funding means giving up a slice of your company and facing the pressure to deliver sky-high returns. Will the lure of big money be enough to clinch the win?

Planting the seeds of tomorrow’s giants.

Technology solutions for sustainable agrifood systems are not just a trend, but a necessity for the well-being of our planet, that promise to transform the way we farm and eat.  Yet whilst it is a fertile field, sowing the seeds of technology innovation in the agrifood industry has proven to be a long row to hoe for many companies.  How do industry and innovators thread the needle of enabling and supporting environmentally sustainable practices, whilst underpinning commercial sustainability of farming businesses? How do they achieve this alongside the everyday farming challenges of seasonality, labour capacity, remoteness and connectivity?

Imagine a world where no business capability or skill set is underutilised, where no factory is idle, and no innovation goes unnoticed. Where a digital industry ecosystem intelligently matches business talent, products and materials directly to when, and where they are needed most in industry.

An eco-system that maps industry capability and talent to provide unprecedented insights into our most important industries and connect our best companies for greater productivity. BenchOn has imagined this and doing this right now.

Where have all the Engineers gone? 

So, imagine the world 20 years from now. The Hype of generative AI has disappeared, we are here, but where are all the engineers?  Will the exponential growth of AI perpetuate us into a new world.  Where artistry, philosophical dialogue under circular 8-star rated manmade green havens for 2 hours a day is how we spend our time working on a basic universal income, whilst the machines take care of the 24/7 routines that previously plagued our 9-5s and home responsibilities?  

The Final Showdown: Securing Capital in an Economic Downturn for Emerging Tech Titans

Welcome to the Final Showdown! In the red corner, we have the high-flying Venture Capital Investors! In the blue corner, the versatile champions of Alternative Capital Pathways (Debt & Grants)! And in the green corner, the resilient Bootstrappers! These contenders are here to duke it out over the best strategy for emerging technology companies to secure capital during an economic downturn. Let’s get ready to rumble!