If the buzz is a marker of deals getting seeded, then the inaugural INVEST-FEST has proven a huge success in matching local founders with some of the best operators in the Australian venture capital landscape.
In a sign of the maturity of the Gold Coast’s tech sector, 75 investor-ready founders had the chance to pitch to 25+ leading VC’s, with the Precinct the perfect location to bring money and minds together to scale new innovation.
175+ conversations later, and we can’t wait to hear the outcomes.
The team from Cohort Innovation Space conceived the event, securing support from our Precinct, City of Gold Coast and the Queensland Government through Lumina.
Thanks to Elli Hanson from Side Stage Ventures for blending her experience as both a founder and VC into an inspiring keynote with a message that it’s about more than the money – from small cheques, big things can grow, when investors lean in to help founders succeed.
From investor Sachin Samarawickrama of Sydney-based Folklore Ventures – “great to see the thriving startup ecosystem on the Gold Coast, I’m excited to see the next generation of incredible businesses that emerge out of the Goldie.”
Invest Gold Coast’s Bianca Park summed up the value proposition – lifestyle helps founders ‘find their flow’ and community helps them succeed – “The TECH industry on the Gold Coast is swiftly becoming a global hotspot for scaling innovative ideas,” Bianca says. “We defy burnout because we’re prioritising our welbeing by going for a surf, starting the day with sunrise yoga or having investor chats on Founder Fridays. I’m most proud of the community spirit that’s building here on the GC and the number of entities chipping in to help this rocket take off!”
Jason Fielding, Head of Voice Capital at Main Sequence Ventures with a focus on capital for social impact agrees: “YES – the Gold Coast is building something special.”
