Innovation Bay

Our friends at IAG Firemark Ventures are teaming up with NAB Ventures to host an in-person, climate-themed breakfast event on Tuesday July 23 at 7:30am. This powerhouse panel will talk through the critical intersection of #climate impacts for both the home and farmers, with a focus on the individuals and business. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from: 🎤 Jacqueline Fox NAB's Chief Climate Officer 🎤 Alezeia Brown Investment Manager at Main Sequence 🎤 Tom Ferrier Founder at Greener 🎤 Devon Long GM, APAC at Regrow Ag The panel will be expertly moderated by Rebecca Schot-Guppy, Partner at Firemark Ventures. Register 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/gBiqtrFF

📣 AI-focused #startup founders... this one is for you! 🚀 Applications are now open for Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First. This is an initiative to help AI-focused Aussie startups grow rapidly and responsibly, while supporting Australia’s proud legacy of homegrown innovation. The accelerator is part of the Digital Future Initiative – Google’s $1 billion investment in Australian research, partnerships and infrastructure and builds on recent initiatives including the AI Sprint and Google Certificates. TL;DR: 🌱 Who's eligible? #Seed and #SeriesA stage Australian startups building #AI and #ML-driven platforms and products 🗓 10-week program 🤗 8-15 startup founders will be paired with relevant experts from both Google and the industry for mentoring and technical project support 🛠 Also includes workshops in #productdesign, #customeracquisition and #leadership Applications are open now and close July 31. For more info and to apply 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/g5Sz5Py3

✨ EXPLORE24 ✨ September 9 - 12 | Darwin, NT #Angels & #Founders – join us for Innovation Bay's biggest and most EPIC event of the year! Over 200 visionary #tech leaders will gather for: 4️⃣ thrilling days.... to experience 3️⃣ unique journeys... representing 2️⃣ sides of the Australian ecosystem... creating 1️⃣ MUST-ATTEND experience in one of the world's most extraordinary places We’re honoured to have worked in close partnership with the Northern Territory government to create a once-in-a-lifetime itinerary that will immerse members in local Aboriginal cultural experiences and ancient traditions, connect you with your inner-adventurer and give you the perspective that only this vast and awe-inspiring landscape can offer. We can't wait to see you there! Explore24 is exclusively for Innovation Bay Members. Visit the Explore24 official site to learn more and register 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/gpcuX8xX Not a member? We have a limited number of spaces available to people exploring membership. Apply to attend 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/gKfsTDtz Explore24 is proudly presented by Northern Territory Government | Innovation Territory, along with official partners Google Cloud, Canaccord Genuity Australia, ASX, Gilbert + Tobin, halkin business partners, and Oxygen Advisors.

Get your Akubras ready… Venture Downunder is coming for Darwin! 🐊 Innovation Bay couldn’t be more excited to welcome our VC members to #VDU, the hallmark event for our Aurora community, on September 9-12. This unique gathering of minds will create one must-attend experience in one of the most extraordinary locations on Earth, Australia’s iconic #NorthernTerritory.  Why VDU? This is not your typical tech conference. VDU offers a unique opportunity to join over 120 VC partners from across Australia, New Zealand and beyond to: 🤝 Broaden and deepen your key relationships with the people you need to know 💡 Delve deeply into highly relevant topics and quality conversations, sharing in the collective wisdom of some of Australia's most innovative and inspiring people   🧩 Intentionally disconnect from the day to day giving you a fresh perspective into key problems you're trying to solve And this year we’re taking it up a notch! Across 4️⃣ days, each of Innovation Bay's communities – VCs, Founders, and Angels – will experience their own strategically curated retreat-style adventure across different locations in the Northern Territory. On the final afternoon and evening, our entire community will unite in Darwin for an epic celebration of our unique collective ecosystem ✨ What special magic happens when VCs get together? We thought this takeaway from one of last year's guests, Phil Morle, really got to the heart of it: “This work is damn hard. At VDU, I heard stories of the anxiety people feel as they ‘spin the plates’ of their portfolios of fragile young companies that they nurture…Just like founders in portfolio companies, VCs get better when they expose their failures and fears.” As always, VDU is exclusively for Innovation Bay members. Aurora members → Discover more about VDU and register now at https://lnkd.in/gpssEVuN Not a member? We have a limited number of spaces available for prospective members exploring Innovation Bay. Learn more and apply to attend here → https://lnkd.in/gpssEVuN VDU is proudly presented in collaboration with our incredible partners Northern Territory Government | Innovation Territory, Google Cloud, Canaccord Genuity Australia, ASX, Gilbert + Tobin, halkin business partners, and Oxygen Advisors.

🤝 We're thrilled to welcome investment bank, Canaccord Genuity Australia, as a valued strategic partner to our community of founders and investors. CG specialises in providing corporate advice and investment banking services globally to growth companies in key sectors of the global economy - especially technology, healthcare, sustainability and energy transition. “We’ve aligned with Innovation Bay to develop strong and lasting relationships with emerging companies and their earlier investor bases” says Alex Unsworth, Managing Director - Co-Head of Equities at CG. 👀 Read more at the link in comments.

Last week, the Innovation Bay team had the pleasure of taking two days out for an offsite in beautiful Manly. We came together to: 🧭 Talk purpose and strategy for FY25 🎉 Celebrate, in person, the wins from a jam-packed year… and welcome three new team members! 🤔 Reflect on areas we can enhance to provide even more support for our members Paired with gorgeous morning walks along Manly and an out-of-body breathwork experience with the master performance and wellness coach Rory Warnock, the precious time together left us all feeling energised to kick off Q1. We’re so excited to share the exclusive adventures, events, and content we have coming down the pipe for our communities.. get ready, FY25 is going to be epic 🚀 CC: Phaedon Stough, Ian Gardiner, Cameron Webb, Millie Turner, Beata Andzejevska, Sarah Wicks, Kate Dangerfield, Melissa Ran, Eleanor Salt, Victor Emil Madsen, Yash S. Katie Higgins Hayley Rynehart, Ella Petite 🤗

🤗 NEW MEMBER PROFILE Welcoming Daniel Lohrmann, Founder and Managing Director of ikaros to our Summit community for Series A+ founders and CEOs. Daniel Lohrmann is a German-born entrepreneur and business leader with a diverse international background. Through ikaros, an international growth consultancy, he focuses on helping businesses achieve sustainable expansion through product-led growth strategies and strong growth foundations. Before founding the company, Daniel held roles in investment banking, venture development, and growth strategy across multiple industries. Committed to nurturing the next generation of diverse business leaders, he actively engages in coaching and mentoring initiatives, including the Startmate Women Fellowship and University of Technology Sydney's EMBA Strategic Design Studio. His journey is marked by a passion for adventure, discovery, and continuous growth. Chuffed to have you in the community, Daniel! 

📣 So, you're a startup founder preparing for a raise... here's an opportunity you don't want to miss! 🔍 We're seeking startup talent to pitch their groundbreaking ideas to our prestigious and active angel and VC investors. 🚀 If you're at the MVP or early revenue stage and you're on the way to raising your pre-seed or seed round, and tick the below, we'd love to receive your application. ✅ Have a clear business plan that showcases your company’s potential ✅ Have conducted thorough research to identify market demand for your product or service ✅ Have a well-defined vision that inspires and captivates ✅ Have an in-depth understanding of your target market, enabling strategic decision-making 😇 If selected, you’ll have the opportunity to pitch directly to our esteemed angel and VC investor members. This could be your chance to elevate your vision. 👉 Apply to pitch LINK IN COMMENTS 📷 Ryan Edwards-Pritchard, Founder & CEO, Cape presenting to our Horizon community of angel investors in Sydney, 2023.

🤗 NEW MEMBER PROFILE Welcome Edwin Mak, Principal at Burda Principal Investments to Innovation Bay’s VC community, Aurora. Edwin is a Principal at Burda Principal Investments in its Singapore office. Edwin joined the firm nearly 7 years ago and today, primarily covers growth stage investments across Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.   Burda Principal Investments provides long-term growth equity for fast-growing digital and technology businesses. The division operates as the financial investment arm of Hubert Burda Media, one of Europe’s largest media and technology conglomerates with a strong investment track record since 1998. The team is based across Singapore, Munich, Berlin and London. Over the years, they have invested in a portfolio of companies which include CARSOME, BillEase, Nord Security, Aleph Alpha, Moneybox, Vinted and Uluu. Big welcome to the community, Edwin! Keen to learn how our community can accelerate your success as a VC, angel investor or founder. Send us a DM or check the comments to connect. 

Will Australia have a city in the Top 10 Global Startup Ecosystem Rankings by 2030? 🤔 My team of Robert Nicholls and Fiona Turner participated in the Innovation Bay Inspire24 Annual Great Debate in Sydney, arguing the negative on the topic “By 2030 Australia will have at least one city in the Top 10 of the Global Startup Ecosystem Rankings (GSER)”. Sydney is ranked equal 20th with Bengaluru-Karnataka and Melbourne 33rd climbing six places from the year before. The Top 5 starting with Silicon Valley have held their positions for over 5 years. While my team supported the wish for an Australian city to be in the top 10 our argument won the debate based on the short timeframe in which to accomplish this. With more focus on funding, community, market reach, talent and performance we know Australia can climb the ranks. VC investment makes a difference to the funding landscape, providing innovative tech startups the capital to grow and become the next Australian success stories. Go Australia! Thanks to the affirmative team Lucy Lloyd, William Scheer and Cheryl Mack for bringing the sizzle, and expertly moderated by Ian Gardiner. #venturecapital #VC #startups #innovation #greatdebate #inspire24