SYDNEY

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APRIL 01, 2025

Hear from global innovators and venture capitalists to turbocharge your growth.

SMARTCOMPANY'S AUDIENCE OF BUSINESS OWNERS

The SmartCompany Reader Survey 2024 

A mechatronics engineer, Grace began building robots in her teens and founded Andromeda to create Abi – a truly empathetic robot capable of bringing genuine connection into people’s lives in situations where it’s needed most. Determined to make a positive difference in the world, Grace developed her idea from its earliest stages at a Startmate accelerator through research and development to secure investor funding

and build a talented team. Working closely with aged care homes, Grace has led the team to make Abi relate to residents like never before – providing personalised companionship that replaces loneliness with meaningful connection and joy.

Adam Schwab is the co-founder of the world’s most loved travel business, Luxury Escapes, a prolific author and podcast host (of the top-rated The Contrarians with Adam and Adir and From Zero podcasts) and was awarded the Young CEO of the Year in 2015. Since 2004, Adam has been a financial journalist and business commentator specialising in corporate governance, economics and start-ups for SmartCompany, the Australian Financial Review, and has appeared on Channel 7 News nationally, 3AW, 2GB, Sky Business and Today Tonight.

Dr Adir Shiffman is an Australian serial technology startup founder, investor, and executive chairman of global athlete analytics leader Catapult Sports (ASX: CAT). He has been rated the World's 10th Most Innovative Person in Sports Business. After qualifying in medicine and practising as an MD, Adir transitioned to startup founder and, over the last two decades, launched, built and sold several high-growth technology companies.

Lisa Teh is unhealthily obsessed with all things digital. As a serial entrepreneur and Web3 pioneer, she's riding the cutting edge of marketing innovation through Mooning, her agency that helps brands navigate the wild frontiers of Web3 and AI. Before diving into the metaverse, she built CODI Agency, a powerhouse digital marketing firm, crafting and executing digital marketing campaigns for global giants like Uber Eats, San Pellegrino, and L'Oreal.

Aaron Tan is a principal at KKR & Co. and leads the firm’s growth equity investing efforts across Australia and New Zealand with a focus on software, fintech, and AI. He is involved with KKR’s investments in Advanced Navigation, SmartHR and Employment Hero. Prior to joining KKR, Aaron was an investment director at OneVentures, a leading Australian venture capital fund.

Dr Suji Sanjeevan is a doctor-turned-fragrance innovator, pioneering the future of medtech and digiscents. A King’s College London graduate, she began in research and policy before co-founding LIGHT + GLO in 2015 with her husband, an allergy specialist. Its sister brand, BrandScent, leads in olfactory branding and experiential marketing. After making waves on Shark Tank Australia, Suji is driving AI-powered scent solutions, set to revolutionise healthcare, wellness, and immersive digital experiences.

Tim Fung is the founder and CEO of Airtasker, a marketplace for local services connecting people who need work done, with trusted, and skilled locals who want to work and earn extra cash. Airtasker’s mission is to empower people to realise the full value of their skills - to create jobs, income and purpose and have a positive impact on the future of work on a global scale. Tim is also a co-founder and director of Tank Stream Labs Pty Ltd – a co-working space and entrepreneurial community located in Sydney. 

Taryn Williams is a multi-award-winning founder and CEO. Taryn founded WINK Models, which grew to become one of Australia’s most successful commercial modelling agencies. Her latest project is #Gifted, a Shopify plug-in enabling brands to manage their influencer contra gifting at scale, which is already being used by some of Australia’s biggest brands, including Accor Hotels and PE Nation.

Tim Burrowes is the publisher and founder of the marketing industry publications Mumbrella and Unmade. Working on newspapers, magazines and online, Tim has been a journalist for more than 30 years and has written about the media for the last 20. He co-presents the weekly MediaLand show on ABC Radio National, and is also the author of the book Media Unmade, the definitive story of Australia’s media during the disruptive decade of 2010 to 2020.

Amy Boulter is a seasoned leader driving strategic growth and operational excellence. With a proven track record of navigating complex business landscapes, Amy empowers organisations to achieve sustainable success with the right technology stacks. Her expertise spans digital transformation, program management, and she's passionate about fostering innovation and building high-performing teams. Amy is committed to growing small businesses and delivering impactful results that shape the future of business.

Jodie Imam is passionate about helping tech businesses start and grow. Jodie is a founder, angel investor, advisor and non-executive director. Currently she is the co-founder and CEO at Tractor Ventures a fintech company that exists to help founders unlock possibilities with alternative capital. Previously, she co-founded a two-sided marketplace, Occasional Butler, which was acquired by rival Airtasker and depo8 coworking. Jodie has also led SBE Australia, a not-for-profit that accelerates women-led business, and was the director of StartUps at The Wade Institute, and the GM for fashion label Leona Edmiston.

Melbourne-born fintech Zeller is on a mission to change the way small businesses handle payments. Unsatisfied with the options provided by the big banks, and newer players like Square (now Block), Ben Pfisterer was one of four co-founders to launch Zeller in 2020. Its growth was meteoric: despite launching in the depths of COVID-19 restrictions, the firm garnered a billion-dollar valuation just last year, and continues to roll out new features for small and growing enterprises. Pfisterer’s previous experience includes NAB, Visa, and Jack Dorsey’s Square (now Block).

Kirstin Hunter is the chief executive officer of Birchal, Australia’s leading crowdsourced funding platform. She is an experienced startup and high-growth executive with a focus on fintech businesses at the intersection of activism and capitalism. Kirstin is also the co-founder and former CEO at Future Super, a former executive at Brighte, a founding chairperson at Ocean Impact Organisation, and a long-time mentor with Blackbird's Giants and Startmate programs. She also co-authored the book Funding the Balance.

Aubrey helps Culture Amp build equitable processes, products, experiences, and operations. Through all her work, she seeks to question, reimagine, and redesign the systems and practices surrounding us. Aubrey is an advisor/investor to various companies seeking to build a more just world, including OnRamp, Seed&Spark, Stark, Joonko, and Pivot Diversity. Her work has been featured in Wired and the Wall Street Journal. 

Tim Snape is a brand and marketing leader and the chief brand officer at Heaps Normal, Australia’s fastest-growing independent non-alcoholic beer brand. With 17 years in marketing, Tim has led brand strategy, digital content, social media, comms, PR, and partnerships. He’s previously worked at Commbank, Mirvac and the Sydney Opera House.

Kristi Mansfield is the co-founder and CEO of Seer Data, an Australian tech scale-up turning data into action for people creating a better world. Kristi has served on several boards including the North Queensland Cowboys Community Foundation, The Stella Prize, the Australian Women Donors Network, SharingStories and the NSW Government’s Family and Community Services Advisory Board for Social Investment. She has been named one of Australia’s 100 Women of Influence by the Australian Financial Review.

Susan Toft started The Laundry Lady on the Gold Coast in 2012. As a new mum with a toddler and a full-time job with interstate travel, she knew other mums and families out there facing the same struggles to keep on top of their laundry. The Laundry Lady had made waves in the Aussie market and beyond. It has since expanded into New Zealand, and was featured on the hit business reality TV show Shark Tank Australia.

Rachael Greaves is the co-founder and CEO of Castlepoint Systems, a globally recognised leader in AI-driven information governance and security. With a deep background in cybersecurity, risk, and compliance, Rachael has led Castlepoint from a bold startup to an internationally expanding enterprise. Under her leadership, the company has earned industry acclaim, secured major government and enterprise clients, and expanded into new markets. 

Kate is an investment manager at Airtree where she focuses on seed to growth investments across Australia and New Zealand. Prior to Airtree, Kate was a management consultant at Oliver Wyman working on a diverse range of projects from wargaming potential merger strategies for large oil and gas businesses, to APRA regulation implementation for insurers and banks. She also spent time interning at a boutique investment bank.

Paul McCarney is CEO of Sector Light, a firm dedicated to the active mentoring of technology CEOs and founders. As an investor, advisor, and founder, Paul has more than 30 years in data, technology, and digital business, and has founded and invested in over 40 technology-related startups. He is a holder of multiple patents relating to systems, data, and identity, consulted for Bain, Deloitte and Accenture, and is a regular industry speaker, private equity advisor, and occasional writer.

Megan is the CEO and director of EnergyLab - Australia’s largest climate tech startup accelerator and

innovation ecosystem dedicated to reaching net zero emissions. EnergyLab supports talented founders

addressing the global climate crisis to the mentors, advisors, partners, peers and investors they need to

succeed.

Dr Libby Sander is an internationally renowned expert on the future of work and the workplace. She is an agenda contributor at the World Economic Forum and has spoken at TEDx. A leading expert on workplace design and the future of work, Libby has appeared on ABC TV, Channel 7’s Sunrise and Channel 9’s Today show, and her research has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. 

Nathan is the co-founder of Paire, leading the brand’s creativity, marketing, growth, and tech. He scaled Paire from 0 to $10 million, building an essential clothing brand that blends comfort, function, and sustainability with cutting-edge fabric technology.

Olympia Yarger is the founder and CEO of Goterra. With a relentless commitment to innovation and sustainability, Olympia designed and commercialised the world's first decentralised, autonomous, insect farms. She’s also designed the Australian Federal Government's Insect Protein regulatory framework and was a pivotal member of the working group that approved insect protein for livestock feed in Australia. Her work has been recognised globally in agricultural and insect protein industries and the CSIRO has identified a recently discovered species of Soldier Fly in her name. 

HEADLINE SPONSOR

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

This full-day summit brings together Australia’s top business minds and global innovators to share actionable insights on securing funding, scaling businesses, expanding internationally, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI.

Full program to be announced shortly.

Hear case studies from those who have successfully grown businesses including how they overcame challenges, and key strategic approaches.

Investors will give insights into securing funding, what they look for, and how start or build relationships with angel investor and venture capitalists.

Hear directly from investors about how they see investing trends, challenges, and opportunities in an improving investment landscape.

Expert, stress-tested advice on building a strong team, retaining talent.

EVENT DETAILS

Tuesday, April 1 - Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney

Conference 8.30am - 5.25pm

Networking drinks 5.25pm - 6.25pm

HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS?

Ticket price is dependent on release. Please visit the checkout page for full pricing information. For group ticket purchases, please contact our team directly at events@smartcompany.com.au.

WHO IS THIS EVENT FOR?

This event offers unparalleled networking opportunities with industry leaders, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs, ensuring attendees leave equipped with the knowledge and connections to accelerate their growth. With a focus on gender diversity and cultural representation, the summit reflects Australia's evolving business landscape.

HOW CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SPONSORING?

For our media kit and more information, please contact sales@smartcompany.com.au.

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