Spark Dubbo

In partnership with Spark Festival, Charles Sturt University, ACS Labs and Investment NSW, join us for discovery, ideas and connection to the NSW regional ecosystem.

Connect with like minds, share ideas and skills, and see emerging innovations in the local business community. Whether curious about innovation and technology, or a seasoned expert, this event is designed to foster engagement and collaboration across the thriving tech-enabled communities that call regional NSW home. 

You’ll love this if you: 

• Like to hear fascinating new ideas (and perhaps even find your own) 
• Want to meet innovators, founders and professionals in the local community 
• Network and hear from key leaders in the NSW ecosystem about how to be supported in your own ideas and ventures whether you are a founder, startup, SME or in corporate 

This is part of an event series: 

• 12 Nov Wagga Wagga
• 13 Nov Dubbo
• 14 Nov Bathurst 

Special Guests 

• Claire Bull: Director Sustainability & Innovation at Extolla, Angel Investor & Mentor, Mentor in Residence at ACS Labs, the Co-National Lead for Tech Australia Advocates

Claire is absolutely supercharging the Aussie startup ecosystem wherever she is in her varied roles, so expect the same as she joins us for this event. Starting her career in B2B marketing, she found her way to COO at Frank Green, partnered with Microsoft and Governments to launch tech businesses in APAC and now helps startup founders succeed as part of the ACS Labs community and is the Director of Sustainability and Innovation at Extolla. We're thrilled to have Claire joining us in Wagga, Dubbo and Bathurst.

• Jo Palmer: Director of Innovation Programs at Charles Sturt University and 2019 Australian Rural Woman of the Year

Jo Palmer is passionate about connecting, educating and empowering rural businesses so they can access the skills and experience they need to grow. She is also passionate about inspiring a new generation of regional entrepreneurs and as the Director of Innovation at Charles Sturt University, she has made it her mission to illuminate the innovation and entrepreneurship already occurring in regional NSW to inspire others who might pursue this path. 

• Megan Jones: Circular PV Group 

Megan's professional career started in town planning and urban design, where she developed her strategic and collaborative approach to problem-solving. Over 18 years Megan has cultivated a diverse portfolio of work in various corporate, government, executive and grass-roots level appointments. She co-founded Australia’s first peak body focused on the solar energy circular economy - Circular PV Alliance, and in 2022 was awarded the Cresswell Prize by the EESA, a technical society of Engineers Australia.

• Gargi Ganguly: Director, ORISCON, Engagement Director Operations & Delivery Western NSW Regional Network, National Indigenous Australians Agency

Gargi hails from Eastern India and has lived in Dubbo since 1999. She was awarded the Dubbo Day Award in 2020 and was the finalist for the Voice of Change Award for 2024, awarded by CommBank and Dubbo Business Chamber.  In 2023, she was awarded the Gargi Award for Community Services by the Hindu Council of Australia. Gargi is committed to fostering cultural respect and understanding, supporting international projects as well as contributing meaningfully to Dubbo’s diverse communities. Holding senior leadership positions in state government and other agencies, Gargi is an innovator who knows how to include and collaborate with different worldviews, and we can’t wait to hear her perspectives as part of our Innovation Panel.

• Sharon Quill: Founder, Social Gain (Dubbo)

Sharon Quill is a budding social entrepreneur. She creates inclusive, impactful experiences. Her business Social Gain, activates social change through fun, creative projects. She has been acknowledged twice in Hansard for her community events and is a firm believer in 'takes a village' and 'win-win' models for success. Her next ambitious project is raising the level of well-being for every single person in the Orana region. It’s built on the powerful but simple principle that we are better together.

This event is proudly supported by Investment NSW, and Spark Festival has been made possible by support from the City of Sydney, the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Herbert Smith Freehills, the Atlassian Foundation and Pledge 1%, ACS Labs and Harbour City Labs, Stone & Chalk, Startup Daily, Net Nada, UTS Graduate Research School, TURO and Decidr. More about Spark Festival

About Charles Sturt University 

Innovation is key to addressing future challenges. At Charles Sturt University, our diverse programs foster innovation across various industries like food production, climate change, healthcare, and cybersecurity. Whether you seek to understand innovation processes, develop skills, validate ideas, solve community issues, or implement solutions, Innovate at Charles Sturt offers workshops, bootcamps, hackathons, masterclasses, conferences, and demo days to support your journey.

More about Charles Sturt University

By registering for this event, you grant full rights to use the images from any photography/video footage for publicity and education purposes. This may include (but is not limited to), the right to use them in their printed and online publicity, coursework presentations, social media and press releases. If you do not wish to be photographed, please inform an event organiser.