Businesses based in central Sydney are ideally located to create and grow successful global enterprises, according to a leading Australian startup entrepreneur.

Finder.com.au co-founder, Fred Schebesta, is a key speaker at Sydney’s December StartCon conference, the largest startup event in Australia, and will share insights on breaking into global markets.

As the first Australian-based comparison website to launch in the US, he says local startups too often have a “myopic view” and need to think big to successfully launch and grow their businesses.

“I would encourage startups to be at the centre of the business action. Sydney’s CBD is a great location to set up a tech startup, attract international talent and investors to become a global player,” Mr Schebesta said.

“As the city is transformed with the light rail, local students and innovators will be drawn together in a thriving centre.

“The biggest opportunity Australia has right now is to stop thinking like an island and act like a global player. By having an international focus, businesses can open up enormous revenue and growth potential.”

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said StartCon, which is sponsored by the City of Sydney, would further boost the city’s thriving startup ecosystem.

“Our support for StartCon is part of investing in Sydney’s knowledge economy and taking practical steps to help innovative businesses flourish,” the Lord Mayor said.

“This will help Sydney’s startup community grow by giving local entrepreneurs good opportunities to network, business insights and practical pointers for launching and expanding a dynamic business.

“Through our economic development strategy and tech startup action plan, we’re committed to creating a sustainable, long-term program of events to help us support and attract tech entrepreneurs

StartCon will bring together more than 4,000 startups, entrepreneurs, investors and corporate leaders to hear 60 international and local expert speakers. There will also be 35 workshops, 50 exhibitors and the country’s largest startup pitch competition.

CEO Cheryl Mack believes the conference is an opportunity for big and small companies to share ideas and learn from the best.

“The focus of the conference is on providing education and information for tech startups that have the potential to reach a global market. And the key to their success will be networking,” Ms Mack said.

“By bringing international speakers from top companies around the world, we’ll be giving the audience access to global minds, which will go a long way to helping Australian startups become global, sustainable businesses.”

Now in it’s eighth year, StartCon offers information, education and networking opportunities for startups, entrepreneurs, investors and corporate innovators.

Information and booking details for the Sydney Randwick Racecourse event on Friday 1 December to Saturday 2 December can be found at whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/startcon and startcon.com

For media inquiries or images, contact senior media advisor Belinda Wallis

Phone 0448 005 718 or email bwallis@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, please contact Matt Levinson on 0499 319 385 or mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au