Founder Groups Melbourne
Connect with Entrepreneurs in Melbourne

Founder Connect!
Tue, Aug 11, 8:00 AM️ \*\***TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR EVENT --** **[CLICK HERE FOR THE TICKETS](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/founder-connect-tickets-1990615078285)**[ ](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/founder-connect-tickets-1990615078285)\*\*️ Join us for another TSN gathering designed to bring the startup community together! Whether you’re a founder, operator or ecosystem builder, this event is a chance to connect with peers, learn something new and be part of a supportive network. Each edition highlights different voices and topics, but the goal remains the same, community, collaboration and meaningful conversations. Date: 11th August 2026 Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM AEST Venue: Grevillea Room, Darebin Arts Centre 401 Bell Street (corner Bell St & St Georges Rd), Preston 3072 [Joe Blanck](https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-blanck-48473418/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-blanck-48473418/") spent 20+ years mastering his craft before founding [A Blanck Canvas](https://ablanckcanvas.com/ "https://ablanckcanvas.com/") in 2013, growing it into a world-class studio designing, building and performing unforgettable, immersive experiences for audiences of all ages, all over the world. In this keynote followed by a Q&A Joe shares candid lessons on the leap from artisan to business leader, scaling a team without losing creative integrity, and navigating high-stakes client relationships. For founders and businesses growing their own ventures, it's a grounded look at what scaling really takes. Joe Blanck is a creature designer, maker, artist and Creative Director with more than 20 years of experience creating immersive entertainment experiences. As the founder of A Blanck Canvas, he leads a Melbourne-based studio specialising in large-scale puppets, props, illuminated installations and live event spectacles for film, theatre and major public events. Beginning his career in scenic art and theatre, Joe later worked with Creature Technology Company on acclaimed productions including Walking with Dinosaurs, How to Train Your Dragon and King Kong. In 2013, he founded A Blanck Canvas, bringing together his passion for scenic art, creature-making and live performance to create world-class experiences and handcrafted spectacles. In 2024, he was honoured as a TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) Master, joining a distinguished global network of industry leaders. Through A Blanck Canvas, Joe continues to combine artistry, craftsmanship and innovation to create extraordinary experiences that inspire connection, wonder and imagination. What to Expect: 🎤 Inspiring Speaker Session: Gain practical advice and insider knowledge from an experienced industry leader who will share insights to help you navigate your entrepreneurial journey. 💬 Interactive Q&A Session: Bring your questions! Learn actionable strategies from our expert speaker. 🤝 Networking Opportunities: Build meaningful connections with fellow founders, entrepreneurs, and startup enthusiasts over food and drinks. 🍔🍷 Whether you’re growing your startup, brainstorming your next big idea, or simply exploring the ecosystem, Founder Connect is your chance to gain valuable insights, connect with like-minded individuals, and walk away with inspiration for your entrepreneurial journey Why Attend? Founder Connect is your opportunity to stay informed, network with a thriving community, and gain practical knowledge to strengthen your business. Together, we’ll explore ways to tackle common challenges and build a resilient, innovative future. 📅 Save the date and RSVP now to secure your spot! See you there! 🎉

AI Tech & Startup Night — Melbourne
Wed, Jul 29, 2:00 PM**Nomad Global Hub** brings together builders, founders, and tech professionals for a night of curated networking and high-impact startup pitches. With a track record of **235+ events** across **23 global cities** worldwide, we have welcomed over **5,000 attendees** and featured **1,200+ startup pitches** on our stages. We intentionally keep our meetups intimate because the best partnerships happen in focused, high-quality conversations, not in loud, overcrowded halls. **What to Expect** * **Live Tech Startup Pitches**: Watch selected early-stage founders present AI & Tech projects followed by sharp audience Q&A. * **High-Quality Networking:** Connect with a hand-picked audience of founders, investors, engineers, and tech leaders who value substance over small talk. * **Global Exposure:** Join a community that bridges **23 tech hubs worldwide**, providing you with a network that extends far beyond a single city. **Who Should Join** * Founders & Co-Founders looking for peers, feedback, investors and collaborators. * Tech Professionals & Builders seeking a high-quality community. * Ambitious Individuals ready to dive into the AI & Startup ecosystem. **For Investors** Active investors and VC partners are welcome to join the event and scout for early-stage talent, meet other investors, and see what teams are building. To access the startup database, please fill out the **[Investor Application Form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUkSdbmDb_tchKrZNf2A4c6HjrPLd87Ub3W-5WPfOgsszI9Q/viewform)** and ensure you have purchased a ticket. **For Pitching Startups** Selected startups gain live stage time and visibility within our global network among our database of investors. Purchase a Speaker Ticket to pitch, submit your **[Pitch Deck](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZ1fGVQ-br2hQQnSsq7zz5XCAEvN5FfaYfJ7VSppMkujV8YQ/viewform)** and ensure it is accessible for viewers. **Nomad Global Hub \| 235\+ Events \| 23 Cities** *Note: To support our venue partner, we kindly encourage every guest to purchase at least one drink at the bar during the event.*

Build AI apps with Microsoft Foundry: A hands-on starter session
Thu, Jul 30, 7:30 AMWant to get started building AI apps without spending weeks figuring out where to begin? Join us for a hands-on session where we’ll explore how to use **Microsoft Foundry models** to create practical AI applications, with a focus on real-world workflows, rapid experimentation, and getting something working quickly. This meetup is ideal for developers, engineers, and AI-curious technologists who want to move from ideas to implementation. AI is moving fast, and so are the tools for building with it. In this hands-on meetup, we’ll work through the fundamentals of getting started with **models in Microsoft Foundry** and using them to build AI-powered apps. You’ll see how to move from model selection to application ideas, and how Microsoft Foundry can help you prototype, test, and build faster. Whether you’re just starting out with AI or looking to sharpen your approach to building useful, production-minded AI apps, this session will give you a practical entry point. Expect a mix of explanation, live walkthroughs, and hands-on learning you can take back to your own projects. ## What you’ll get * A practical introduction to Microsoft Foundry and its model ecosystem. * Guidance on how to think about building AI apps with real use cases in mind. * A hands-on walkthrough designed to help you get started quickly. * Ideas for how to move from experimentation to a more structured build process. ## Who it’s for * Anyone curious about building with modern AI tools and models. * Software engineers and developers. * Data and AI practitioners. * Technical product people exploring AI app development. ## Why attend This is a great session if you want a clear, low-friction way to start building AI apps with Microsoft Foundry. You’ll leave with a better understanding of how to approach model-driven app development and where Foundry fits in the AI build stack. Microsoft’s Foundry resources are designed to help developers build, evaluate, and deploy AI models and agents, and this workshop-style session is a practical way to start engaging with that ecosystem. **About the speaker:** [Akanksha Malik](https://www.linkedin.com/in/akankshamalik96/) is a Managing Principal at IRIS by Argon & Co, a Microsoft AI MVP and an international speaker. As the founder of Paths Uncovered, she is dedicated to showcasing non-traditional routes into technology, encouraging diversity and inclusion in the industry alongside consulting work. After studying Financial Maths and Actuarial Science at UCC, Ireland, she realised she wanted to work with people as well as numbers. As a consultant, she works with clients to help them solve problems by making more informed decisions with data. Her belief in making technology, particularly AI, accessible to all is evident through the numerous community events, meetups, and conferences she organises. She is the co-founder and director of Women Coders alongside Gretch, dedicated to building a more equitable world. **Sponsors:** This event is sponsored by Littlepay who are hosting and catering for us on the night!

Failure Stories: Lessons From What Didn’t Work
Fri, Aug 7, 7:00 AMEntrepreneurship is full of failure. Most people just don’t talk about it. This event is about changing that. Instead of stage talks or presentations, we’ll break into **small groups of 6–8 people** and over some drinks share real stories of things that didn’t go to plan; bad ideas, failed launches, wrong turns, expensive lessons, and the moments where things felt like they were falling apart. *We're grateful to Udara Fernando for generously hosting us in his space. Udara is a Melbourne-based entrepreneur behind a portfolio of businesses — Tamed Marketing (a marketing agency), Tactik (a web design agency), and Locionne (a six-figure ecommerce brand). He's passionate about building a place where people can come together to collaborate and learn, which is exactly what makes his space such a fitting home for this. Check him out:* https://www.linkedin.com/in/udara-fernando/ **5:00pm Drop In for a Drink** **7:00pm Hard Stop** *(We'll head for a drink at Valhalla Bar next door if conversations are flowing)* Because failure is normal. And the faster we normalise it, the faster we learn. 💬 **How the night works** After a short introduction, we’ll split into small groups. Each person who wants to participate will have the opportunity to share a short story about a failure or setback they’ve experienced while building something. For example: • A business idea that completely flopped • A launch that went sideways • A decision that turned out to be wildly wrong • A moment where you realised something wasn’t working After each story, the group can ask questions, reflect, or share similar experiences. You don’t have to speak if you don’t want to. Listening is valuable too. 🤝 **Creating a safe space** For this event to work, we need to create a space where people feel comfortable being honest. That means: • No judgement • No interrupting **• No unsolicited advice unless someone asks for it** • What’s shared in the group stays in the group The goal isn’t to impress anyone. It’s to learn from each other’s experiences. 👀 **Who this is for** • Entrepreneurs and Doers • People thinking about starting something but not sure how • Builders who know the real journey isn’t a straight line If you’ve ever had something fail and learned from it, you’ll fit right in. Most successful entrepreneurs have a long list of things that didn’t work. Those stories are usually the most valuable ones to share.

Where do you thrive? Your product fit across startup, scale-up & corporate
Thu, Aug 6, 7:30 AM**Where Do You Thrive?** *Finding your product fit across startup, scale-up and corporate* Managing a product at a 10-person startup looks markedly different to managing one at a scale up or established corporate. While the title is identical, the day-to-day job requirements, the influence, the pace, and the path forward have key differences. So how do you know where you thrive most? Join Product Women Melbourne for a panel conversation with product leaders who've built careers across startups, scale-ups and corporates. We'll explore: · What actually changes about the role at each stage — and what stays the same · The trade-offs nobody tells you about (autonomy vs. resources, speed vs. structure, ambiguity vs. process) · How to know if you're in the right environment for where you are in your career · What it's really like to move between stages — and what surprised our panellists most **Panellists:** [Anna Kelk,](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-kelk-743587a7/) Chief Product Officer, Splose [Kelly Nguyen](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellynnguyen/), Senior Product Manager APAC, Heidi [Teresa Huang](https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresajhuang/), Head of Product Bupa Whether you're considering your next career move, curious about a different kind of company, or just want to know if the grass really is greener in a different setting, this session is for you. Expect honest conversation and insights and time to connect with the Product Women Melbourne community afterwards. **Venue**: Preacta, 260 Collins Street, Melbourne (Melbourne CBD) **Date:** 06 August 2026 **Time:** 5:30-7:30pm Kindly sponsored by Preacta: Talent Acquisition Solutions and Recruitment

Climate and AgTech Pitch Night
Tue, Jul 28, 8:00 AM🎟️ **TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR EVENT - [CLICK HERE FOR THE TICKETS](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/climate-and-agtech-pitch-night-tickets-1990612857643)** 🎟️ Join us for an evening celebrating the bold and innovative solutions addressing climate and agricultural challenges in our **2026 Climate Tech & AgTech Pitch Night**. From tackling environmental sustainability to revolutionizing agriculture, our Climate Tech & AgTech founders are at the forefront of shaping a greener and more resilient future. We're excited to showcase four incredible founders building solutions that create meaningful change: 🎤 [Bhargavram Chilukuri](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhargavramchilukuri/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhargavramchilukuri/") \- Co\-Founder & CEO at [Ampere Robotics](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ampere-robotics/ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/ampere-robotics/") 🎤 [Lili Xu](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lili-xu-5bb5701ab/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/lili-xu-5bb5701ab/") \- Founder at [LUDIS](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ludis-au/ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/ludis-au/") 🎤 [Animesh Ghimiray](https://www.linkedin.com/in/animesh-ghimiray/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/animesh-ghimiray/") \- CEO at [GuardianSkies Pty Ltd](https://www.linkedin.com/company/guardianskies-drones/ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/guardianskies-drones/") 🎤 [Tom Gibson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-gibson91/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-gibson91/") \- Co\-Founder at [Gyre Energy](https://www.linkedin.com/company/gyre-energy/ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/gyre-energy/") ### **Why Join Us?** Be part of the movement driving change in climate technology and agriculture innovation. This night is dedicated to showcasing the ingenuity of early-stage founders creating solutions for some of the most pressing global challenges. Whether you're passionate about sustainability, excited about new technologies, or looking to connect with leaders in these industries, this event is for you. ### **What to Expect on the Night:** Our **Climate Tech & AgTech Pitch Night** is an event not to miss! Guests will: * Network with an ever-growing community of investors, founders, service providers, and startup operators. * Support four incredible early-stage founders as they take the main stage to pitch their groundbreaking ideas. * Vote for their favorite pitch of the night. ### **Attendee Information:** Secure your spot to witness the future of climate and agricultural innovation unfold. Discover how local startups are solving global challenges with groundbreaking solutions. ### **Reserve Your Seat Today!** Don’t miss out on this exciting evening filled with networking, innovation, and celebration. Register now to be part of **The Startup Network's Climate Tech & AgTech Pitch Night** and connect with the trailblazers shaping the future of our planet!
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