FIND YOUR CUSTOMER, YOUR FUTURE COLLABORATOR, OR YOUR NEXT BIG IDEA ON THE MID NORTH COAST.

In partnership with Spark Festival, Charles Sturt University, Investment NSW, and AusIndustry, join us for an evening of discovery, ideas and connection at Spark Mid North Coast.

Connect with like minds, share ideas and skills, and see emerging innovations in the local innovation and startup ecosystem. 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 the mid north coast 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
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

October 15, at Charles Sturt University

3-4:30PM Startups 101 Workshop

In this dynamic workshop, you will discover startup craft in spotting problems worth solving, identifying viable ideas, prototyping and testing as well as next steps to find your first users. Whether you have ideas you want to test, or you're just curious, this workshop will stimulate your entrepreneurial thinking. No prior knowledge or experience is required for this workshop, but RSVP is essential.

5-7PM Innovation Showcase and Fireside Chat

Keynote with Jo Palmer, Director, Innovation Programs and serial entrepreneur, Charles Sturt University
Innovation Showcase panel with startup founders and innovators who are building their own careers in tech
Audience Q and A
Fireside chat with Jill Follington, Regional Manager - AusIndustry
Networking with local innovators and supporters

RSVP essential to account for any accessibility requirements, light refreshments will be served.

Our Special Guest Speakers

Jo Palmer: Director of Innovation Programs, Charles Sturt University

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 occuring in regional NSW to inspire others who might pursue this path. We're thrilled to be partnering with Charles Sturt University and having Jo as a keynote speaker at this event!

Jill Follington: Regional Manager, Mid North Coast & New England North West- AusIndustry

Jill established her first construction company at 19, going onto to establish three additional companies in the earthmoving and fabrication sector, she remains in fabrication today. Co- founder of a regional manufacturing system addressing operational challenges she is known for disrupting traditional methods and innovative thinking to solve challenges. Over the last 10 years she has been instrumental in securing or facilitating over $3.5 million dollars of Federal Gov’t funding direct into the regional manufacturing capability. Her passion for regional growth drives her current role as Regional Manager for the Dept of Industry, Science and Resources. She is dedicated to actively securing a level playing field for regional business, ensuring they have the same opportunities as the larger metropolitan counterparts.

Sarah and Matt Potts: Co-founders, Goodness Lover

Based in the Hunter, in regional NSW, Matt started his career in geology and Sarah in music and education. Fast forward to now and via several career pivots, they now lead a growing and global business educating and bringing expert medical perspectives to the world of wellbeing- a space often plagued by misinformation and brand marketing prioritised over science and sound research. Goodness Lover believes that a healthy gut is the foundation for a vibrant and energized life. Sarah and Matt will share insights and advice from their own innovation journey to help those building businesses (or those interested) to find their next strategic growth steps.

David Burnton: Managing Principal of Lawlux

Lawlux is a digital law firm that blends cutting edge generative AI technology with experienced lawyers to save companies time and money. The unique startup recently won a Digital Design Award at the Good Design Awards in Sydney. Dave worked at leading national law firms across the country as a lawyer for over a decade before going out on his own with the mission to make it easier for companies to understand the law and comply with it. Dave is now based in Port Macquarie with his young family and is working to elevate Lawlux’s reach and impact.

David Lillo-Trynes: Co-CEO Spark Festival

Dave co-leads Spark Festival, sparking engagement in the NSW ecosystem and Australia's original and largest grassroots startups festival. He also leads Partners and Community at growing NSW startup, Compass IoT, which supports road authorities to build better, safer roads and cities with connected vehicle data. Dave also sits on the Board at Youth in Motion, a non profit providing tutoring to NSW high school students unable to access it otherwise, who are completing their HSC.

More to be announced

About Spark Festival: proudly supported by Investment NSW

Spark Festival has been made possible by support from Investment NSW, Herbert Smith Freehills, ACS Labs and Harbour City Labs, the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Stone & Chalk and the Pledge 1%, and continues its mission to drive engagement into and across the NSW startup ecosystem.

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.