STATE OF OUR NATION

Join _SOUTHSTART in conversation with top startup ecosystem voices from across Australia, as they share their thoughts on where we are as a community, as a nation and as humans. 

This will be a lively discourse sharing a state of the union type of summation of the year, followed by an interactive and live Town Hall.

Join us as we explore where we've been as a nation, where we're going - and where we'll go next.

TIMETABLE

12:50PM - 2:00PM: Panel Discussion [Hybrid]

2PM - 2:30PM: Q&A [Hybrid]

SPEAKERS 

Aron Hausler - Strategic Projects Manager at the Department for Innovation & Skills - SA

Aron helps people with imagination and initiative to bring their ideas to market and build scalable businesses. His background is in technology strategy and policy and he currently coordinates programs within the Office of the SA Chief Entrepreneur. Prior to that, he ran the operations of Flinders University’s New Venture Institute. In the distant past, he founded a couple of startups too.

Leanne Kemp - Queensland Chief Entrepreneur 

Leanne Kemp is Founder and CEO of Everledger and Queensland Chief Entrepreneur. Her company Everledger uses Blockchain technology to track high-value assets such as diamonds, art and wine, with the aim of increasing transparency and trust with technology. She is the first woman entrepreneur to hold the of position Queensland Chief Entrepreneur.

Chad Renando - Managing Director & Founder at Startup Status - QLD

With a background growing award winning digital and manufacturing businesses in the US and Australia, Chad's focus is on supporting entrepreneur activity in regional areas. He does this as director for the not for profit Startup Status, as Managing Director Australia for the Global Entrepreneurship network, and his PhD research exploring the connection between entrepreneur ecosystems and community resilience.

Julie Trell - Head of muru-D - NSW

Julie is Head of Telstra’s startup accelerator, muru-D. In her previous role as the Founder of Playful Purpose, she helped companies integrate meaningful philanthropy programs into their businesses. She was also an advisor to several startups from San Francisco to London, and was instrumental in launching SheEO Radical Generosity in the USA in 2016 - a global initiative to transform how we support, finance and celebrate women entrepreneurs. She launched SheEO in Australia in 2018. 

Adam Mostogl - Executive Director at Van Diemen Project - TAS

In any given week, Adam Mostogl might be helping young entrepreneurs to kick-start their companies, stimulating small businesses to challenge the status quo, challenging communities to understand their potential or teaching hundreds of students to embrace innovation to solve the problems of the future.Adam is also Chair of the Advisory Board for the GOAL! program, Founding Curator of the Launceston Global Shapers Hub, Founding Director of EdRev and Member of the Advisory Board for the Peter Underwood Centre.

Petr Adámek - CEO at Canberra Innovation Network - ACT

Petr Adamek is an innovation and entrepreneurship expert with over 25 years of international experience in building innovation ecosystems and helping companies grow. Petr is originally from the Czech Republic, where worked extensively in the innovation sector. He currently works in Canberra Innovation Network as its Chief Executive, where he helps deliver programs for entrepreneurs.

Paula Taylor - Executive Director & Co-Founder at West Tech Fest - WA

As Executive Director and Co-Founder of the West Tech Fest & Startup Challenge, Paula works with the startup ecosystem across APAC to support investment and growth ​opportunities for founders. ​Paula has developed enduring relationships with global founders, VC’s, CEO’s & tech industry visionaries sharing insights on building great companies. Having raised in excess of 20 million GBP for UK not-for-profits and NGOs, Paula has a specific interest in harnessing blockchain technology for social good.

Josh Sharma - Startup Advisor & Lawyer at LUNA

Josh is a Startup Advisor & Lawyer at LUNA. LUNA is a full-service startup studio that works with startups & scaleups to help them grow and scale by offering legal, accounting, educational and strategic services. Josh has a broad range of experience advising on a range of matters across the startup lifecycle - from structuring and employee incentives to capital raising, in both a legal and commercial capacity. Josh is also an experienced facilitator, working with large organisations, accelerators, universities and schools to deliver meaningful educational programs and workshops for entrepreneurs and startups.