Something Tech showcases Australia’s emerging unicorns as 560 tech leaders gather in Brisbane. Past participants secured $7.55 million in funding.
What’s happening: Something Tech festival returns to Brisbane on 28-29 August, bringing together over 560 technologists, investors, and industry leaders across fintech, agtech, and proptech sectors to identify Australia’s next generation of unicorn companies.
Why this matters: The festival has proven to be a genuine launchpad for Australian startups, with past participants securing significant investment including $2.3 million for Heatseeker AI and $4.25 million for Coach Welly after participating.
Something Tech has evolved beyond a standard conference into what organisers call “the meeting point for Australia’s innovation ecosystem.”
The Brisbane festival at Howard Smith Wharves focuses on connecting founders directly with venture capital, mentors, and collaborators needed for scaling.
This year’s theme, “Reimagining Human Intelligence,” spans four streams: Industries, Planet, Ourselves, and Community. The programme includes Tech Talks exploring emerging technologies from secure payments to agentic AI in construction, alongside panel discussions tackling global challenges like AgriFood Tech and building products without tech teams.
“Something Tech provides founders the chance to put their ideas in front of the people who can actually help them grow. And we’ve seen startups secure investment and strategic opportunities as a direct result,” says Pauline Fetaui, River City Labs director.
The timing aligns with Australia’s broader startup momentum, with funding rising to $1.9 billion in the first half of 2024, representing a 30% increase compared to the same period the previous year.
Proven track record
The festival’s credibility stems from tangible results for past participants. River Rival, the event’s pitch competition finale, features nine founders presenting to a panel of top investors and industry leaders for Best in Product, People’s Choice, and Best of the Best awards.
Previous River Rival participants demonstrate the festival’s impact:
- Heatseeker AI secured $2.3 million in pre-seed funding
- The Laundry Lady raised $1 million in seed capital
- Coach Welly obtained $4.25 million in pre-seed investment
This year’s judging panel includes Steve Allen from Blue Corridor Ventures, Elli Hanson from Side Stage Ventures principal, Shahirah Gardner from Skalata Ventures, and Dr Prash Puspanathan, a serial entrepreneur and investor from Enosis Therapeutics.
From unicorn founders to emerging tech
The Founder Journeys segment spotlights entrepreneurs who’ve achieved significant scale, including Greg Miller, co-founder of Area Mars and exited co-founder of Faethm, which was acquired for over $100 million in 2021.
Curtis Thomson, co-founder of simPro, will share insights from his journey to unicorn status. SimPro represents one of Australia’s thriving unicorn companies, demonstrating the pathway from startup to billion-dollar valuation.
The focus on AI aligns with global trends, where 43% of new unicorn startups in 2024 were AI companies, suggesting Australian founders are positioning themselves in high-growth sectors.
Sector diversity drives innovation
The festival encompasses multiple high-potential sectors including fintech, agtech, and proptech. A Tech Tradeshow showcases products and solutions from across Australia, providing visibility for emerging companies seeking investment or partnership opportunities.
Panel discussions address practical challenges like building products without technical teams, reflecting real-world concerns for non-technical founders entering the startup ecosystem.
Recent data shows these sectors attracting significant capital, with AI, AgTech, and PropTech companies scoring major funding rounds across Australasia.
Building Australia’s digital future
Something Tech plays a tangible role in building Australia’s digital economy by connecting startups with capital, corporates with solutions, and talent with opportunity. The festival’s approach focuses on practical outcomes rather than theoretical discussions.
“River City Labs is proud to bring together founders, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and mentors to build Australia’s next wave of tech companies,” Fetaui explains.
The festival’s structure allows for multiple connection points between participants, from formal pitch presentations to informal networking opportunities during the two-day programme.
Strategic timing and location
Brisbane’s selection as the host city reflects Queensland’s growing reputation as a technology hub, with the Howard Smith Wharves venue providing an appropriate setting for Australia’s premier tech festival.
The late August timing positions Something Tech as a key event in Australia’s startup calendar, allowing companies to showcase progress and seek end-of-year funding rounds.
For entrepreneurs seeking to join Australia’s unicorn ranks, Something Tech offers direct access to the investors, mentors, and networks essential for scaling innovative companies into billion-dollar enterprises.
Something Tech. tickets and the program are available at Something Tech.’s website at https://www.somethingtech.com/home.html
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