_SOUTHSTART brings together founders, investors, and industry visionaries to gather, connect, and shape the future. Each year, we meticulously design experiences that go beyond networking, providing relaxed, inspired settings for real conversations, which lead to unparalleled outcomes for yourself and your business. Join us for a unique gathering that amplifies your vision, expands your community, and makes room for those “aha” moments that truly move us forward. You'll find access to investment, customers, talent, expertise, startups, and more.
_SOUTHSTART is created by a small, passionate team. Every year we come together to create a program where you can hear from, learn from and connect with people specifically curated to help open the doors you need.
True progress begins with authentic, human-first experiences. We value meaningful conversations and serendipitous meetings that spark not just innovation but empathy. We create moments that go beyond networking—where real connections can flourish.
The future belongs to the brave. At _SOUTHSTART, we champion courage—the courage to innovate, to fail, and to question the status quo. We honor imagination, because vision is what turns brave ideas into reality. This festival is a playground for the curious, a canvas for the creative, and a launchpad for the courageous.
Innovation thrives when diverse voices are heard. We actively curate environments where everyone feels a sense of belonging, regardless of their background. Here, we build bridges, not walls. Diversity fuels transformative ideas.
Set in one of the most beautiful regions in the world, _SOUTHSTART reminds us that as we create the future, we must also protect the resources we have. Sustainability is embedded in how we gather, how we think, and how we innovate.
We honor the moments between milestones—the conversations, the sketches on napkins, the dreams shared over a locally sourced refreshment. The process of creating is just as important as the results, because it is in the journey that we find purpose, learning, and unexpected joy.
Together, we ignite change. _SOUTHSTART is where new ventures, partnerships, and movements are born—because we dare to think big and start small. We are committed to making South Australia a hub of global innovation by fostering a spirit of experimentation and relentless optimism.
In a world obsessed with speed and scaling, _SOUTHSTART is our moment to pause. We challenge the notion that faster is always better. Here, we take time to reflect and reconsider what growth should mean—for our businesses, our communities, and our planet. It’s in these moments of calm that the best ideas often rise.
_SOUTHSTART started from humble beginnings in 2013, and was reinvigorated in 2018 by our current team. We grow year on year, but our focus will forever remain on growing our impact and quality of experience and outcomes.
We have hosted 500+ speakers (Founders, CEO’s, Directors, Investors) from across the globe including, but not limited to the founders of leading companies like Netflix, Canva, OzHarvest, CultureAmp and Safety Culture.
_SOUTHSTART is built on the strength of community.
The best tech, innovation, art, creative, networking event in Aus, hands down.
THE Founder journey is one long rollercoaster [so] being around some of the most ambitious kick ass founders imaginable refills the tank to get out and go again.
