StartUp Northern Rivers Meetup

Bringing our community together, to connect, network, share and learn, be inspired, foster opportunities and collaborations. Join us for the next meetup.

Introducing StartUp Northern Rivers meetups – gatherings for our region-wide entre/intrapreneur community to connect and hear from inspiring innovators across Digital, Tech, and Regen.

Our first SNR Meetup is happening on Thursday, 11 November 2021, at the Byron Bay Services Club.

We're so fortunate to have two absolute powerhouses joining us to share their wisdom and have an open, inspiring conversation. First up is Drew Klonsky - Drew hails from the US and has founded and led some of the world's leading innovation firms, including Citizen, R/GA and Fahrenheit 212, and is currently the co-founder of SunWaterSoil and C/\MP (Creative Ambitious Meaningful Products).

Drew is going to share all things “Cannabusiness” and how, by removing the taboo of weed, the perfect storm of creativity, technology and capitalism has demonstrated the purest form of unfettered business transformation not seen since the dot com boom. Hear from Drew on how cannabis has spawned radical innovation in every industry in the US, from electricity to packaging, and what we can expect when this opportunity unlocks for us in Australia.

Following Drew, we'll hear from David Trewern, founder of one of Australia’s first and largest digital agencies, DT, as well as world-renowned Fliteboard, in conversation with Ashleigh Camm of Sourdough Business Pathways. In this chat we’ll hear how David’s journey has been nothing short of incredible – after founding, growing and exiting DT and other businesses, David moved with his family to their property in Byron Bay to have a much needed break, and amidst time spent surfing and kitesurfing, David conceived Fliteboard - a multi-award winning electric hydrofoiling surfboard. Fliteboard has grown to support a team of around 55 people primarily based in Byron Bay, and with satellite offices in Melbourne, Netherlands and USA.

We'll also have time for meaningful connecting around these inspiring conversations, and we look forward to seeing you there. This event is brought to you in partnership with Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce (BBCC) and Hello Again, and all BBCC members are able to access discounted tickets.

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Bio for Drew

Drew’s background in the field of behavioural-tech innovation – from start-up to scale-up across a number of industry sectors - has made him an internationally recognised expert in the identification, development, and application of product and service design and innovation.

Drew has founded and led some of the world's leading innovation firms, including Citizen, R/GA and Fahrenheit 212, spearheading efforts that have created over $5 billion in top-line growth for Fortune 500 companies, breakthrough start-ups, and private equity firms.

As a serial entrepreneur, Drew has commercialised technology at six Venture Capital-backed start-ups. He founded and successfully exited one of the world's leading mobility design innovation firms - Citizen. Elsewhere, he has held leadership roles that include Founder, CEO, CMO, Entrepreneur in Residence, Head of Innovation, and Futurist.

Drew has an American passport and an Australian soul. Living just outside Byron Bay, he and his wife can often be found running in the hinterland or surfing the breaks of NSW where, somewhat conveniently, he believes the very best ideas come to him.

Bio for David

David founded his first business ‘DT’ in 1996 at the age of 23. DT grew to become one of Australia’s largest and most successful digital agencies. In 2010 the business was acquired by WPP. In 2017 DT was renamed AKQA Asia Pacific.

David exited DT in 2013 and spent 2 years establishing a next generation digital eduction business called Republica Education. Republica comprised Tractor Design School, BSchool, Mercer Interior Design School, CG Spectrum and Beauty EDU. After nearly 20 years as a creative entrepreneur - David exited Republica in 2015 and moved with his family to their property in Byron Bay.

During a much needed break in 2016 (with a lot of time spent surfing and Kitesurfing) David conceived Fliteboard - a multi-award winning electric hydrofoiling surfboard. Fliteboard is primarily assembled in Byron Bay with 95% of boards now exported to over 90 countries. Fliteboard has grown to support a team of around 55 people, primarily based in Byron Bay but also in satellite offices in Melbourne, Netherlands and USA.

In addition to his entrepreneurial activities David has been a Trustee of Igniting Change since 2015. Igniting Change is a small charity organisation that is passionate about sparking big, positive change for people doing it tough in our communities. Igniting change supports a number of causes and organisations including the Asylum Seeker Resource Center, Children’s Ground, Mental Health Legal Centre, Port Phillip Prison Youth Unit, Africause, Deadly Connections, and St Kilda PCYC to name just a few.

Supported by Byron Chamber & Hello Again

Chamber Members $15 or General Entry $20 - includes pizza and arrival drink

6pm start  ꟾ  8.30pm finish

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Please note: You may be photographed or filmed for marketing purposes while attending this event. Please advise the organiser if you have questions, concerns, or do not wish this to happen. As an attendee, you will be added to the SBP mailing list for event correspondence, follow up and upcoming event information. The option to unsubscribe is available at any time.

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We will be adhering to Covid safe regulations at this event for the well-being of all of our guests and will update any requirements closer to the event in line with the current restrictions.

Bookings will be limited based on the capacity at this venue, and there will be QR code check-in.