West Tech Fest Conference 2021

West Tech Fest's annual conference at Beaumonde on the Point presents a full day of panels, presentations, and networking opportunities from global thought leaders.

A mix of in-person and speakers live streamed such as Sam Kroonenburg, CEO & Founder of A Cloud Guru, Bill Tai, Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist and Angel Investor, Leigh Travers, CEO of Binance Australia, Rob Affleck, Innovation Engagement Manager at Woodside Energy, plus many more, will discuss this year's theme of diversifying WA's economy by supporting innovation in technology, creative industries and life science sectors.

Opportunities to connect with fellow participants will take place throughout the conference over coffee, lunch, and a post-event networking drinks - be sure to bring your business card!

Whether you're an established tech business, en emerging entrepreneur, or heavily invested in the startup scene already, this conference is for you.

2021 CONFERENCE PROGRAM

8am - GUESTS ARRIVAL & REGISTRATION
Arrival tea and coffee served

8.30 am – 8.50 am – WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS
Ingrid Cummings - Welcome to Country
Rohan McDougall, Director Commercialisation, Curtin University
Professor Harlene Hayne ONZM, Vice Chancellor, Curtin University         
Rt Hon Basil Zempilas, Lord Mayor City of Perth   
Hon Don Punch MLA, WA Minister for Water; Fisheries; Forestry; Innovation and ICT: Science

8.55 am – 9.15 am – IN CONVERSATION
Bill Tai, Founder ACTAI Global
Rohan McDougall, Director Commercialisation, Curtin University

9.20am - 9.50am - IN CONVERSATION
Sam Kroonenburg, Co-Founder A Cloud Guru
James Cameron, Partner Airtree Ventures
Kylie Gerrard, Programme Lead Plus Eight at Spacecubed

9.50 am - 10.20am – MORNING TEA

10.20am - 10.55am - PANEL: THE GLOBAL GAMES INDUSTRY TAKES CENTRE STAGE. WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WA?
PRESENTED BY PENTANET
Moderator: Chandra Sundareswaran, General Manager Spacecubed
Natalie Acquisto, NatChats
Stephen Cornish, Managing Director & Co-Founder Pentanet
Steven Bryson-Haynes, Business growth NFT & Gaming, Polygon Technology

11.00 am - 11.35 pm - PANEL: FINANCING GROWTH OUTSIDE VENTURE CAPITAL
Moderator: Ash Kirvan, Co-founder, Polymath Ventures
David Weir, CEO and Co-Founder Radium Capital
Georgia McDonald, Alice Anderson Fund and COO LaunchVic
Matt Allen, CEO Tractor Ventures
Nick Gainsley, Partner OneVentures

11.40am -12.00pm – KEYNOTE ADDRESS: START ME UP – HOW BIG BUSINESS CAN BENEFIT FROM WA INNOVATION
Rob Affleck, Innovation Engagement Manager Woodside

12.00pm - 1.00pm – LUNCH

1.05pm - 1.25pm – IN CONVERSATION
Michelle Deaker, Managing Partner OneVentures
Larry Lopez, Director Australian Venture Consultants

1.30pm - 2.05pm - PANEL: RE-ENVISAGING HOW THE CREATIVE AND STARTUP INDUSTRIES CAN IGNITE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH
Moderator: Olivia Humphrey, Producer, Investor, Adjunct Professor Curtin University
Rikki Lea-Bestall, CEO ScreenWest
Ian Booth, CEO Indian Pacific Pictures
Nicole Lockwood, Chair Infrastructure WA

2.10pm - 2.30pm – PRESENTATION: Binar 1 Satellite Launch
Professor Phil Bland
Director Space Science and Technology Centre at Curtin University

2.35pm - 3.10pm - PANEL:  CRYPTO MARKET DYNAMICS AND THE GEN Z INVESTMENT APPROACH
Moderator: Leigh Travers, CEO Binance Australia
Charis Campbell, Corporate Product Manager Binance Australia
Ian Love, Founder and CEO Blockchain Assets
Tracey Plowman, COO Bamboo

3.40 pm - 4.15 pm - PANEL: FOUNDER’S JOURNEYS, RAISING CAPITAL & ATTRACTING TALENT
Moderator: Tash Teakle, Commercialisation Facilitator, Entrepreneurs' Programme
Suzanne Dodds, Founder and MD, Complete Home Filtration
Ross Wyness, COO and Co-founder of VetDB
Tejas Bhatelia, Inventor of Spiropak

4.20pm - 4.40pm - JUST STARTIT STUDENT INNOVATION PITCHING & AWARDS

4.40pm - 4.45pm - CLOSING REMARKS
Larry Lopez

4.45 pm - 6.30 pm - NETWORKING DRINKS HOSTED BY THE CITY OF PERTH

TICKETS:
Startup Tickets - $125 + booking fee
General Admission - $175 + booking fee
Student - $100 + booking fee

Your ticket includes all event sessions, arrival tea and coffee, lunch and after-party presented by City of Perth.