Give to Gain: IWD2026 Female Business Owners Event Presented By Westpac & Tech Ready Women

Give to Gain: International Women’s Day 2026 Presented by Westpac and Tech Ready Women.

Event Details

📅 Date: Wednesday, 11 March 2026 | 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM

📍 Venue: Level 4, 333 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000

🥗 Food: Finger food and a glass of champagne will be served 

🎁 Activity: Receive a "Give to Gain Token" on entry - Your key to unlocking the room!

About this Event

Give to Gain: "We rise by lifting others."

This International Women's Day, we aren't just talking about support, we’re putting it into action. Every guest will receive a "Give to Gain" Token upon arrival. This is your currency of support. Your goal? To offer a tangible "give" to a fellow founder (like an introduction, a social share, or a strategy coffee) and exchange your token before the clock runs out.

Presented by Westpac x Tech Ready Women x Tank Stream Labs x The Founders Union, this event is designed for growth-minded female founders who want to:

• Pitch Your Business: Grab the mic for a 60-second impromptu pitch in front of 150 people. Profile your business and ask for help from a diverse audience of skills and networks.

• Hear From Female Founders: Join an intimate conversation from Westpac on leadership, backing women in business, and what it really takes to build momentum as a founder.

• Access Experts: Drop into our "Expert Corner" for 1-to-1 rapid fireside chats with an Investor, Westpac Business Banker, and successful Entrepreneur.

• Build Social Capital: Participate in our unique token exchange to swap skills and support.

• Promote Your Business: We encourage all attendees to bring their merch and business cards to be displayed in our 'Merch Marketplace'. This is your opportunity to promote what you do!

Who is this event for?

This event is for startup female founders, female business owners, and entrepreneurs from all industries who believe in the power of community. Whether you need an investor's perspective, banking advice, or just want to connect with like-minded women, there is a seat for you here.

Agenda

• 1:00 PM - Arrival & Marketplace: Token collection, networking, set up your merch in the designated 'Merch Marketplace' area.

• 1:15 PM - Expert Corner (Ongoing): 1-to-1 rapid sessions with an Investor, Westpac Business Banker, and Entrepreneur.

• 1:40 PM - Speeches Commence: Acknowledgement of Country & Opening Address.

• 1:45 PM - Panel Fireside Chat: Hosted by Westpac Kristen Pelletier with two leading founders, a deep dive into the founder journey.

• 2:15 PM - TRW Scholarship Profile: Stories of impact from two recent TRW Investment Ready Program, Westpac Scholarship recipients.

• 2:25 PM - Impromptu Pitches: 10 rapid-fire 60-second sessions to showcase your business and share your "ask."

• 2:45 PM - Give to Gain Closing: Final token exchanges and networking.

• 3:30 PM - Event Concludes

Your MC

Crystal McGregor | General Manager @ Tech Ready Women

Crystal is the General Manager and Program Lead at TRW. She’s an entrepreneur with years of hands-on experience growing startups, working with founders, and leading high-impact programs. Crystal has worked across fashion-tech, ag-tech, and social enterprise, including as Chief of Operations at the award-winning ag-tech startup, Zondii, and co-founder and CEO of fashion-tech startup, PUCTTO. With a background in program design, project management, and securing over $5 million in grants and funding, Crystal is passionate about helping founders turn ideas into real, thriving businesses. She loves supporting women to think creatively, challenge the status quo, and find practical pathways to grow.

Fireside Chat with Kristen Pelletier, Westpac 

Kristen Pelletier | Head of Product, Term Lending and Business Bank @ Westpac

Kristen Pelletier leads product for Term Lending and Business Banking at Westpac. Over the past 15+ years, she’s worked across banking and marketing roles, driving product strategy, lending transformation and growth initiatives inside large organisations. She brings a practical, customer-led approach to leadership and is passionate about building teams and products that genuinely support business owners.

Thanks to our Partners

This event is made possible through the collaboration of:

• Westpac: Australia’s first bank, committed to financing female ambition and supporting small business growth.

• Tech Ready Women (TRW): Empowering women with the skills and community to build world-class startups.

• Tank Stream Labs (TSL): A leading global technology ecosystem and co-working community.

• The Founders Union: A collaborative ecosystem designed to unite ambitious entrepreneurs through shared resources, strategic mentorship, and a collective commitment to scaling high-impact businesses.

Note: By attending this event, you consent to be photographed and recorded on video. These materials may be used for marketing and promotional purposes by the event partners. Please alert the team on arrival if you have any concerns.

Spaces are limited for this high-impact afternoon. Reserve your spot now and get ready to Give to Gain! 💥

We look forward to welcoming you to this event! Don't forget to bring your business merch!