Spark New England

Join the Spark Festival and UNE SMART Region Incubator (SRI) teams for an explosion of innovation and creativity, at Spark New England.

In a day packed full of entrepreneurial skills building, knowledge sharing, coaching and inspiration, this is an experience designed to bring together seasoned founders who need that extra edge in their pitch, through to those with an idea and not much else besides. 

Two great ways to get involved: 

1: Pitch Workshop with Alan Jones 9.30-3.30PM  

Not everyone is born able to pitch, but you can learn! This is for those wanting practical skills to better pitch and articulate their startup from an investor-perspective are welcome to express their interest in this closed workshop, where participants will be guided through pitching tactics, practical tips, understanding your audience, managing your mindset and more. Alan Jones (Pitch Club) is one of Australia’s most celebrated pitch coaches, and he will be delivering expert guidance to you as part of this event. Read more about our special guest below. 

2: Fireside chat with Alan Jones and Lou Conway 5.30-7.00 PM

From Tracking Pixels to Thinking Machines

Join us for a fireside chat with Alan Jones and Lou Conway as we explore Alan's insights on AI's transformative effects on industries and society. Alan will share how he sees AI reshaping everything from customer service to software interaction, and a future where technology anticipates our needs seamlessly. Don’t miss these groundbreaking insights into AI’s expansive impact.

You’ll love this if you: 

• Are a startup founder or innovator ready to refine your pitch
• Are looking for ways to supercharge your pitch abilities with the help of expert coaching
• Would benefit from new connections to local entrepreneurs, resources, mentors, and investment pathways 
• Are curious about innovation and entrepreneurship

Our special guest presenters: 

Alan Jones - Partner, M8 Ventures

Originally a tech reporter, then a producer for Microsoft’s Sidewalk, Alan Jones rose through the product ranks from Yahoo’s first product hire in Australia to become Product Director, South Asia.

After leaving Yahoo, he became co-founder and product head for HomeScreen Entertainment, backed by the Packer family’s CPH, and later acquired by Quickflix.

Now a startup founder mentor and tech investor, he is a partner with early-stage tech venture fund and syndicate manager M8 Ventures, and the chair of Catalysr, an entrepreneurship program focused on marginalised migrants and refugees. Disagree with him on Twitter at @bigyahu

Lou Conway - Director of Enterprise, University of New England

Lou Conway is the Director of Enterprise at University of New England (UNE) where the UNE SMART Region Incubator (UNE SRI) supports over 70 founders who are bringing to market awarding winning solutions for agriculture, environmental services, health and creative industries.

Lou is fueled, just as the region is fueled, by the 'can do' attitude and determination of regional founders. Lou knows how founders have been quick to capture the benefits of AI and technology, with a readiness to improvise and make good, as the lifeblood of regional innovation!

About UNE SRI 

The UNE SRI is a connected community of founders and innovators who share a deep commitment to seeing new and existing enterprises flourish in the New England North West region of NSW.

As a university-led business incubator, we support innovation across the New England North West by connecting founders, researchers, school and university students, mentors, experts, investors, government and business partners. Through collaboration, we help deliver new products and services to market. The UNE SRI works across the region and has physical locations in Moree, Tamworth and Armidale.  We are focused on benefits to our community, value diversity of ideas, and are open and inclusive. Don't forget to check out the Grad Cert in AI Innovation, a world-first educational offering, only at UNE.

About Spark Festival 

Spark Festival has a mandate to coordinate and promote startup-focused events that spark engagement into and across the startup ecosystem.

Spark Festival 2023 has been made possible by support from Investment NSW, the City of Sydney, Herbert Smith Freehills, ACS Labs and Harbour City Labs, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Stone & Chalk and the Atlassian Foundation, and continues its mission to drive engagement into and across the NSW startup ecosystem.

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.