Unconventional Startups: Launching a Startup and Investing in Sextech

📈 Afternoon event: Launching a Sextech Startup

Time: 15:30-17:00

Sextech is more than just an industry—it’s a space where innovation, ethics, and inclusion intersect in complex ways. This event opens with an "In Conversation" session, where thought leaders explore the challenges of building a responsible and inclusive industry. We’ll then dive into a practical panel discussion with founders who have navigated the realities of launching and scaling a brand in this space, sharing insights on overcoming platform restrictions, marketing hurdles, and funding barriers.

Scene 1: In conversation w/ Samantha Floreani, Eliza Sorensen, & Zoe Sever

Scene 2: Marketing and branding panel discussion w/ Ally McGrath, Marc Lyons, Emma Gillman, & Annie Knight

⭐️ Evening event: Investing in Sextech Startups

Time: 17:00-19:30

Curious about what it takes to fund the future of taboo industries? This reverse pitch event gives the mic to investors specialising in sextech, sexual wellness, and unconventional markets. Discover their investment theses, learn what they’re looking for in founders, and explore the unique opportunities in these growing industries. Whether you're a founder seeking insights or just fascinated by innovation on the edge, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Scene 1: Networking over food and drinks (alcohol free event)

Scene 2: Reverse pitch/Investor panel

Scene 3: Sextech pitch event

🧠 Meet the speakers

Samantha Floreani is a digital rights advocate and writer based in Naarm (Melbourne). They advocate for a liberatory digital future in which everyone can thrive. They are also a PhD candidate researching the ways that digital technologies in Australia’s private rental sector impact renters and housing justice. Previously, Sam has been the Head of Policy at Digital Rights Watch, a Privacy and Technology consultant, and the Program Director of Code Like a Girl. Their advocacy work focuses on enhancing privacy, addressing power imbalances in the data economy, online safety, and resisting surveillance technologies. Their writing explores technology, power and social norms and has been published in The Guardian, Overland, Kill Your Darlings, and elsewhere.

Eliza Sorensen (they/she) is a Koori queer sex worker, hacker, and co-founder of Assembly Four, a collective that created sex worker-friendly platforms like Switter.at and Tryst.link. With a passion for technology and advocacy, Eliza has led workshops, panels and spoken at high-profile events such as the UN Internet Governance Forum, NetThing Australia, Reimagine the Internet @ Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia U, RubyConf Australia, and Kiwicon on the intersection of sex, tech, privacy, censorship, infosec and human rights.

Zoe Sever's bio is coming soon

Ally McGrath is the founder of Electric Feel co, a spicy strategy consultancy with a kink for crafting hot and unbothered content. After a decade in social media and marketing for major corporations, she launched Electric Feel to help founders and creators in the Sex Industry navigate censorship, grow their audience, and build unstoppable personal brands. She’s worked with top-earning adult creators, sexologists, thought leaders, and founders—helping them turn attention into revenue.

Marc Lyons is the founder and creative force behind Happie Holl, the brand that made aftercare for your butt sexy. Passionate about challenging taboos and destigmatising sex, he’s now taking the brand beyond aftercare with an exciting new product line launching soon. Alongside Happie Holl, Marc runs a boutique brand and marketing agency, helping brands that don’t just sell products—they spark conversations.

Emma Gillman founded The Siren Group, a PR agency specialising in creators and brands in the sex industry. With experience as a writer at Mamamia, she understands both media coverage and brand marketing. She's dedicated to de-stigmatising the adult industry and creating cultural conversations that build strong personal brands and drive income.

Annie Knight, a leading Australian adult content creator known as 'Australia's Most Sexually Active Woman,' began her OnlyFans career in August 2020. Using her marketing skills, she quickly rose to the top 0.02% of earners, reportedly making $250,000 monthly. Despite facing stigma and strained personal relationships, she remains committed to her career and advocates for sex positivity.

Paige Aubort is the co-founder of High Tide, a modern adult store in Melbourne designed to make exploring intimacy more welcoming. With a background in hospitality and advocacy, she brings her passion for inclusivity, design, and education to reimagine the adult retail experience and shift the conversation around pleasure.

Annika Ojala is a former human rights advocate and political strategist who now bridges the worlds of sextech and social impact. With experience at the UN, European Parliament, and World Economic Forum, she drives global conversations on how sextech innovation can advance health, inclusion, education, and human rights.

Chris Eldridge is an Investment Banker and Hedge Fund Advisor with a passion for supporting innovation in emerging industries. A graduate of SexTechSchool, Chris and his colleagues have established a fund dedicated to investing in the sexual wellness, relationship enhancement, fertility advancements, online intimacy protection, VR robotics, and broader health sectors, including probiotics and microdosing of psychedelics. Recognising the systemic funding challenges faced by female entrepreneurs in these spaces, Chris and his team are committed to backing visionary founders who are driving meaningful change. While they don’t claim to be creatives, their expertise lies in strategic capital allocation to ensure groundbreaking ideas receive the investment they deserve.

Garry Williams is focussed on scaling companies and emerging projects with an emphasis on emerging technologies. Scaling challenger brands is my thing. Loves a chat, but pre-disposed to action. Currently daydreaming about: how pop culture influences economic trends in particular industries. Only focussed on Doing Great Work.