So you’ve managed to get your hands on some StartCon tickets this year? Welcome to your guide on how to make the most out of StartCon 2017. Like a Three Star Michelin Restaurant, we’re serving 9 different courses of learning and experiences so you can have a taste of just about everything.
Thursday Launch Party
Last year, we kicked off StartCon with a launch party on Thursday and we are bringing it back. Partnering with Techboard Rankings and MYOB, get ready for an incredible networking opportunity at our party to not only meet new people but to have fun and immerse yourself in the sociable, creative culture of the startup space. It will be held at The Sheaf in Double Bay from 5:30pm, catch more details here.
Day 1
On Day 1, our Hackathon and Exhibition as well as talks by our wonderful domestic and international speakers will be running throughout the day. Over the conference, we will have the following stages: Main, Disruption, Fintech, Pitch, Innovation and AI. Unless you have Hermione’s Time Turner, you probably can’t be in two places at once, but we suggest creating your schedule by prioritising your interests and what you want to get out of StartCon. Make sure you check out the full schedule here. Don’t forget to also have a walk around the startup exhibition and meet founders and their team who make each startup work! You should also catch:
The Pitch competition
Ah, the pitch competition. We’re ready for Australia’s brightest and ambitious startups to take the spotlight. StartCon runs the biggest pitch competition in Australia and it’s no secret that entrepreneurs and the cream of the investment crop flock to watch our competition. At the pitch stage, you will be able to watch the latest innovators explain their ideas and learn from their presentation and pitching skills. Perhaps it will spark an idea in your mind and give you that much-needed motivation to finish what you started, or maybe it will show you that anything is possible. Definitely catch the Semi-Finals at 3pm and Finals on the Pitch Stage on Level 3 at 4:30pm to see who will take away the chance to pitch in San Francisco.
Networking at The Stables
In partnership with StartupAus and Crossroads, this is the networking event of the conference. Make sure you don’t miss this, and that from 5:30-8:30pm on the Friday, you’re on Level 4 at The Stables to wind down from the day and join us for some casual drinks and serious networking time. This is also the prime opportunity for you to meet founders, speakers and investors and throw your name out there.
Demos
Catch demonstrations of the latest innovative tech such as self-driving cars and virtual and augmented reality. This will span both days, but get in quick while the show is hot!
Day 2
We’re finishing the Networking at the Stables at 8:30pm to make sure you all get a good night’s sleep before you dive into Day 2. Just like Day 1, our talks, exhibition and hackathon will run throughout the day but we’ve got a brand new stage, the Artificial Intelligence stage. Here you will find Azadeh Khojani and Lawrence Crumpton from Microsoft and Win Woo from Google Cloud amongst numerous incredible speakers, ready to fill your mind with knowledge on AI technology. From Elliot Smith’s talk on whether AI will eat Healthcare to Jimmy Lee’s talk on Man and the Machine: Solving Real World Problems with AI today, catch the full list here.
Startup Awards Winners Announcement
So you’ve made it this far; the end of Day 2! The time has come to announce the winners of our Australasian Startup Awards. This moment has been long awaited for so buckle up to find out who will be the winner winner and take home the chicken dinner!
StartCon Annual After Party at the Arthouse Hotel
Celebrate the official end of our 8th conference with your newly made friends. Take it as you will: one last opportunity to network or a chance to indulge in the free food and drinks, we’ve set it up so you will have a great time regardless. So, grab a drink and relax with the StartCon family; the perfect end to StartCon 2017.
If you haven’t secured your spot at StartCon this year, now is the time! Don’t be the only one not at StartCon!
