Why We Exist

We exist to better the Australian technology landscape, by providing a platform for entrepreneurs to learn, raise capital, network and collaborate.  We believe that our future is deeply connected to our ability to create great companies, drive innovation across all sectors of the economy and enable an environment that supports and enables entrepreneurialism. Our desire is to live in a country where innovation betters the lives of all citizens and makes the world a better place in which to live.

Innovation Bay has been supporting technology focused entrepreneurs for over 15 years. We are a trusted, independent organisation at the centre of the ANZ tech ecosystem. Uniting our community around high curated, quality events, and education programs to encourage people to connect, share ideas and learn from each other.

We help entrepreneurs take the next critical steps to turn their ideas into viable businesses. We connect them with investors, mentors and leaders who invest their time, knowledge, networks, and money to help them reach their goals.

At the centre of the Australian technology ecosystem

How We Help

3000

Community Members

40M

Seed Funding Raised

1000

of valuable connections made

45

Startups Funded

100

of Founder Stories shared

The place to foster relationships across the Startup Ecosystem

Who We Are

As entrepreneurs ourselves we intrinsically understand the challenges and uncertainty others face. Whether we assist with investment support through pitch events, education and resources, or simply providing networking opportunities, the Innovation Bay team is here to help  to ensure more meaningful and connections are made across the national ecosystem.

Ian Gardiner

Co-Founder

Phaedon Stough

Co- Founder

Sian Priest

General Manager

Claire Tester

Events Manager

Emma Lister

Community Manager

Jason Neave

Adelaide Lead

Craig Swann

Adelaide Ambassador

Noelle Smit

Adelaide Ambassador

Joe Thorp

Adelaide Ambassador

Tudor Marsden-Huggins

Brisbane Lead

Bernie Woodcroft

Brisbane Ambassador

“

In the last month we participated in many pitch night events and by far the Innovation Bay founders dinner was the most valuable. The structure of the night and the feedback together with a list of genuine leads is like no other.

Roei Yaakobi, TieUp Farming
“

Innovation Bay has been a great supporter of Expert360. We've been introduced to a world class network of advisors and investors through their events. They are a great springboard for start-ups in Australia. We raised $100k through the Innovation Bay dinner.

Bridget Loudon, Expert360
“

We closed our Angel round directly from pitching at the Innovation Bay Angel Dinner. with great investors and quality meetings with potential clients through Innovation Bay attendee introductions. It also increased exposure for our next funding round. Great session to learn from successful founders, like the Y Combinator founders also.

Vanessa Wilson, StorReduce
“

Great way to dip the toe into pitching. Very friendly room. Opportunity to meet with the other founders presenting as well as the 'angels' over a drink before hand really framed the evening nicely. As opposed, to entering a cold room which you do in a lot of other pitching environments. We did meet one angel who invested in our pre-seed raise and who has been a great supporter of our business.

Heidi Holmes, Mentorloop
“

Innovation Bay enabled Equitise to refine its pitch with valued mentors and also access some of the best and most active angel investors in Australia in a constructive, fun and laid back pitching environment. The guys at Innovation Bay have provided ongoing introductions to Equitise as a business following the event. What they are doing is fantastic and we certainly recommend the process to anyone considering.

Chris Gilbert, Equitise

To ensure the health and wellbeing of the Innovation Bay team and our valued community we are implementing a series of procedures related to COVID-19:

  1. The Innovation Bay team has opted to work from home until further notice.
  2. Innovation Bay in-person events have been postponed until at least 27th April 2020.
  3. All meetings to be virtual via video conferencing or phone. Any scheduled face to face meetings to be rearranged as video calls.
  4. All domestic and international business travel prohibited until further notice.

We are keeping up to date with the latest COVID-19 information and advice by monitoring the Australian Government Department of Health and any advice from state government agencies.

We have also joined a coalition of Australian business leaders trying to #StoptheSpread of COVID-19. This initiative was started by Melanie Perkins from Canva and we encourage other business leaders looking to commit to doing your part to contain this situation to add your name to the pledge.

As this unprecedented situation evolves further, we will continually update you with any additional changes within our business. We’d like to take this opportunity to wish you, your teams, family and friends well in this challenging time.