Innovators to the Reef - Big Ideas. Bright Minds. One Extraordinary Backdrop.

This is not your average innovation event.

Innovators to the Reef is Tropical Innovation Festival’s signature experience — where founders, investors, scientists, ecosystem leaders and policymakers head offshore together to connect, collaborate, and create in one of the world’s most iconic environments: the Great Barrier Reef.

Hosted aboard the Evolution dive boat, the day blends curated keynote presentations, hands-on learning labs, reef exploration, and relaxed networking that goes far beyond business cards. Swim, snorkel, or just soak in the atmosphere while learning from some of the nation’s most curious, creative, and community-minded innovators.

NOTE - Included in GOLD and PLATINUM tickets - you do not need to register here.

Evolution Dive Boat (https://downundercruiseanddive.com.au/)

Time	Activity
7:15am	Registration open @ Reef Fleet Terminal Grab and Go Breakfast provided
7:30am	Boat registration closes
	Welcome to the 2025 Innovators to the Reef! Kate Montgomery \| Launch Y(E)P Peppi Iovannella \| Down Under Cruise and Dive Startup journey to solving problems. Stuart Clout \| GTM Garage Reef Connections: Local People, Shared Purpose Abbi Scott & Katie Chartrand \| Cairns Port Douglas Reef Hub
Throughout Day 4 x Learning Labs	Marketing and Communications Learning Lab Brody Oxenham \| Manexo Media Mark Cox \| Cox Co. TBC Investment, Funding & Finance Learning Lab Nicholas Ooi \| Investible Dan Gavel \| Black Sheep Thomas Worden \| Standard Ledger TBC Support for your high growth venture Learning Lab AusIndustry Trade & Investment Queensland Queensland Government Science Queensland Government Innovation Cairns Regional Council
Throughout the day	Evolution Dive Boat will head out to the outer reef where you will be able to dive, snorkel or swim on the Great Barrier Reef. A light breakfast will be provided on the boat. A delicious buffet lunch will be served, and the bar will be open with a cash bar. Full day of networking, relaxing, learning and fun!
	Investor war stories – Creativity, Community, Cutting-Edge and Curiosity Moderated by Aaron Birkby \| Tribe Global Ventures Mark Sowerby \| Caithness Ventures Elaine Stead \| Main Sequence Ventures Paul Wilson \| Bailador
4:15pm	Arrive back @ Reef Fleet Terminal
5pm	Tropical Innovation Festival Welcome Function * included for all Innovators to the Reef Participants

For more information on other events throughout the festival visit our website.