Inner West Startups + Tech: Learn and Build with AI | Balmain, Sydney
Description
Learn and Build with AI
Thursday 12 November: 1–5 pm
Friday 13 November: 9 am–5 pm
All times AEDT.
Everyone has access to AI now. Very few have had the time to make it work for their own business.
This is a small, hands-on workshop for Inner West founders and operators. You bring your real work and leave with automations that are working by the next morning. At least 75% of the time is spent building, not watching slides. There are two facilitators in the room, so nobody gets left behind.
It doesn't matter if you already use AI every day or haven't opened it yet. We take everyone from wherever they are to the same practical footing.
What you'll walk away with
Your work mapped and broken into steps, with a clear view of what AI should and shouldn't do for you
At least two working automations built on your own business, in plain language, with no coding
A personal roadmap of what to build next, with estimated hours saved
Claude set up safely, with privacy settings on and your own ground rules for what AI never sees
You'll also learn the skill that matters most: breaking work into steps and deciding which parts AI should, and shouldn't, do.
Who should come
Founders, small business owners and solo operators in the Inner West who want AI doing real work in their business. You don't need a tech background. Open to the whole Inner West startup community.
What you'll need
A laptop you can install apps on, plus your charger
A Claude Pro subscription. One month is enough, and we'll walk you through setting it up at onboarding
One hour for an online onboarding session before the workshop (choose from two times)
Small group, two facilitators
There are up to 20 places, with two facilitators in the room. The workshop needs a minimum of 15 people to run. We'll confirm by Monday 2 November.
Presented by GenAI Lab and Inner West Startups + Tech at Clontarf Cottage. Supported by Inner West Council.
Agenda
- 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Thu 5 Nov: Onboarding, option 1
Set up Claude Pro and the desktop app, connect your email, calendar and files, and switch on your privacy settings. Online, Thursday 5 November 2026, AEDT.
- 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Tue 10 Nov: Onboarding, option 2
Same session in the evening. You only need to attend one. Online, Tuesday 10 November 2026, AEDT.
FAQs
- Do I need a tech background?
No. Everything is built in plain language with no coding. If you can describe how you do your work, you can build this.
- What do I need to bring?
A laptop you can install apps on, your charger, and a Claude Pro subscription. One month is enough. Work laptops with locked-down settings can cause trouble, so use your own if you can.
- Do I have to attend an onboarding session?
Yes, please join one of the two online sessions (Thu 5 Nov at 12:00pm or Tue 10 Nov at 6:00pm). It means everyone arrives ready to build. If you get stuck, we'll run a 15-minute setup check at the start of Day 1.
- Can I come to just one day?
No. Day 2 builds directly on Day 1, so you'll need to attend both.
- What happens if the workshop doesn't fill?
We need at least 15 people to run. If we haven't reached 15 by Monday 2 November, we'll let you know and offer a full refund or a place on the next date.
- Is my business information safe?
Security is set up before anyone types a word. At onboarding you'll switch off model training in Claude's privacy settings and write your own ground rules into Claude's instructions (for example, "never ask for or keep my financials"). We also teach a simple habit: anything that leaves the room gets checked by a person.
- Why Claude and not ChatGPT or Copilot?
We teach on one tool so the whole room moves together. The skills carry over to any AI tool.
- Is food included?
Lunch on Friday is BYO. The cottage has a small kitchen with a fridge, microwave and kettle.
- How do I get there?
Ferry: Balmain wharf is the closest transport hub. Bus: routes including the 433, 442, 444 and 445 run along Darling Street. Parking: there is no on-site parking, only street parking nearby. Use the Transport NSW trip planner for the best route.
- Is the venue accessible?
Clontarf Cottage is not wheelchair accessible. For other access requirements, please contact the host before booking.
- What is Inner West Startups + Tech?
A community building startup opportunity in the Inner West, with monthly events, a coworking space, advice on selling to local government, and a $20k hackathon coming soon.
- Can I get a refund if I can't make it?
Refunds aren't available for change of mind, because the workshop only runs with a minimum number of people. You can transfer your ticket to a colleague or friend until Tuesday 10 November.
Your facilitators
Eugene Chung
Principal Consultant, GenAI Lab
Founder of Delta Work, with a background at Atlassian and TeamForm. Co-designed and delivered Learn and Build Sessions for two Sydney teams in August 2026, rated 4.8 out of 5.
Shweta Kawale
Sydney Organiser, GenAI Lab
Technical Delivery Manager with 18+ years in enterprise digital transformation, cloud and AI across financial services, education, energy and the public sector. Core organiser for GenAI Lab Sydney.
GenAI Lab was founded by Alex Zinoviev and has a community of over 1,600 members.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
