From little things, big things grow
September 9 – 12, 2024
Darwin, NT
What is Explore24?
Innovation Bay is Australia’s leading membership community for tech founders and investors. Explore24 is our signature event of the year.
200 attendees coming together over 4 thrilling days, comprising 3 unique journeys, representing 2 sides of the tech ecosystem – founders and investors, all creating 1 must-attend experience.
Explore24 is not just another tech conference. It’s an unparalleled, unplugged retreat that fosters genuine connections and collaboration in an immersive environment. Over four days, participants will engage in a series of experiential activities, insightful discussions, and meaningful networking opportunities—all set against a backdrop of the best the Northern Territory has to offer.
Designed as three unique 2.5-day journeys, one for each of our Founder, Angel, and VC communities, that culminates in a coming together on the third day to unlock and unleash the power of founders, investors, and ecosystem partners spending quality time together.
This is a one-of-a-kind event for the Australian and New Zealand tech startup ecosystem. We’d love you to be a part of it.
Why attend Explore24?
Immerse yourself in the collective wisdom of Australia’s most innovative and inspiring people.
Meet founders and investors who are doing, or have done, what you’re doing.
There’s infinite potential to discover new ideas and initiatives to deploy in your business, investment opportunities, cross-business collaboration opportunities, and solutions to key problems.
Forge deeper, more meaningful relationships faster.
There’s only so much you can talk about at networking drinks.
At Explore, you’ll be sharing unique experiences designed to strengthen bonds and build rich connections to propel you forward, professionally and personally.
Solve your biggest challenges with a departure from your day-to-day.
Ignite your mind with a powerful change of scenery and an injection of fresh perspective.
We use neuroscience and our 20+ year history in running events to craft moments that will unlock your ability to think through some of your most pressing problems.
Experience Australia’s unforgettable Northern Territory like never before.
Innovation Bay has worked in close partnership with the Northern Territory government to create a once-in-a-lifetime itinerary that will immerse you in local indigenous history, connect you with your inner-adventurer and give you the perspective that only this vast and awe-inspiring landscape can offer.
What’s on at Explore24?
DAY 1: EXCITE
Revel in the excitement of our journey to come
SUMMIT & CANOPY (Founders)
1pm – Drive from Darwin to Katherine Gorge
Welcome networking and fireside chats
HORIZON (Angels)
~2:30pm Welcome to Country
Sunset sailing excursion
Dinner Darwin harbourside
DAY 2: EMBRACE
Embrace new connections and experiences
SUMMIT & CANOPY (Founders)
Welcome to Country
Day trip boat ride up Katherine Gorge, interspersed with activities and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing sessions
Dinner at Nitmiluk Visitors Centre
HORIZON (Angels)
Day trip including an airboat wildlife tour, interspersed with small group discussions and presentations
Dinner at Charlie’s Gin Distillery
DAY 3: EXPAND
Expand your perspective and rethink your approach
SUMMIT & CANOPY (Founders)
Drive back to Darwin
Robertson Barracks Army base lunch and learn
Afternoon presentations and evening party combined with VCs and Angels
HORIZON (Angels)
Topical discussions and presentations
Networking lunch
Afternoon presentations and evening party combined with Founders and VCs
DAY 4: ENERGISED
Leave Explore24 energised to take on the world
SUMMIT & CANOPY (Founders)
Final networking opportunities and local Darwin sightseeing trips
12pm – Fly home
HORIZON (Angels)
Final networking opportunities and local Darwin sightseeing trips
12pm – Fly home
Who’s attending?
Find your people! Here’s a selection of the confirmed attendees for Explore24
Aaron Tan, Principal, KKR |
Adam Wakerman, Partner, Halkin |
Alan Bond, Investor |
Alan Watters, Director, Tech Sector Lead AU & NZ, HSBC |
Alex Farrugia, Investment Manager, Paspalis |
Alex Guyer, Partner, Firemark Ventures |
Alex Kewley, Managing Director / Partner, MARS Equity Dragon Funds |
Alex Mount, Director, MA Growth Ventures |
Alex Unsworth, Managing Director – Head of Equities, Canaccord Genuity |
Amit Verma, Senior Manager, Listings, ASX |
Andrea Gardiner, CEO, Jelix Ventures |
Andrew Donald, Founder, Choice Ventures |
Andrew McCowan, Investment Director, NZTE |
Andrew Poesaste, Partner, Rampersand |
Andrew Sypkes, CEO, Sypkes Family Office |
Angus Blair, General Partner, Outset Ventures |
Anna Wright, CEO, BindiMaps |
Anthony Curtin, Managing Partner, Merton Lawyers |
Anthony McNamara, Investor |
Anthony Willmott, CEO and Co-founder, Digital Agriculture Services |
Anthony Woodward, CEO, RecordPoint |
Ash Lambert, Partner, Co:Act Capital |
Barnaby Marshall, Partner, Icehouse Ventures |
Ben Grabiner, Partner, Side Stage Ventures |
Bryan Williams, Founder, Hockey Stick Advisory |
Caitlin Iles, Managing Director, EM Advisory & Invest |
Callum Benson, Senior New Ventures Manager, Monash University |
Cameron Kavanagh, Principal, Jelix Ventures |
Charles Carnegie, Investor |
Charlie Ill, CIO, Investible |
Cheryl Mack, CEO, Aussie Angels |
Chris Breidahl, Managing Partner, Upswell Ventures |
Chris Quirk, Principal |
Christopher Morgan, Co-CEO, Oxygen Advisors |
Danny Assabgy, Founder & CEO, Build Buddy |
Daniel Lohrmann, Managing Director, ikaros |
Daniel Neilson, Portfolio Manager, Marshall Investments |
Daniel Ouliaris, Founder & CEO, NeoIntelligence |
Daniel Tan, Principal, Aera VC |
Danin Kahn, Electrifi Ventures |
Dante St James, Director – Innovation and Investment Readiness, Darwin Innovation Hub. |
Dave Harris, CEO, Guinevere Capital Esports & Entertainment |
David Moss, Partner, Second Quarter |
David Rowe, Head of Ventures, 1835i |
Deborah Johns, Partner, Gilbert + Tobin |
Derek Gerrard, Managing Director, Purpose Ventures |
Domenic Fonte, CEO, AssetFuture |
Dylan Bennett, Director, The Array |
Ed Bigazzi, Investor, Five V Capital |
Edwin Mak, Principal, Burda Principal Investments |
Edward Barraclough, Founder & CEO, Drone-Hand |
Eliza Jackson, Partner, Macdoch Ventures |
Ethan Singer, Co-Founder, Fundabl |
Evan Wijaya, Principal, Touring Capital |
Gary Xu, Investment Director, Touch Ventures Limited |
Georgia Barkell, Managing Partner, Sprint Ventures |
Glenn Bartlett, Head of Ventures, Alberts |
Hari Srinivasan, Head of Sales, Digital Natives Growth, Google |
Harley Paroulakis, CEO, Paspalis |
Ian Beatty, Managing Partner, Second Quarter |
Iain McDonald, Founder, 8seats |
James McCLure, General Partner, Antler |
Jason Georgatos, Managing Director, Partners for Growth |
Jason Serda, Managing Partner, Utiliti Management Pty Ltd |
Jay Chiu, Investment Director, One Ventures |
Jethro Cohen, Principal, Square Peg |
Jo Wickham, Partner, Icehouse Ventures |
Jonathan Chow, Principal, Carthona |
Joshua Mendoza, Director, SEEK Investments |
Karen Chan, Portfolio Manager, Perennial |
Karmen Karamanian, Chief Communications Officer, Paspalis |
Kate Eriksson, Partner, Co:Act Capital |
Kate Galpin, Manager, Listings, ASX |
Keaton Swanepoel, Investment Manager, NZTE |
Kelland Reilly, Partner, Airtree |
Kevin Wilson, Partner, OIF Ventures |
Kieran O’Neill, Principal, Tidal Ventures |
Kylie Frazer, Partner, Flying Fox Ventures |
Kylie Gerrard, General Partner, Purpose Ventures |
Llew Jury, General Partner, Sprint Ventures |
Lucy Lloyd, Co-Founder, Mentorloop |
Luke Rix, CEO & Founder, KC Ventures |
Marisa Warren, Founder & Managing Partner, ALIAVIA Ventures |
Mark Velik, Principal, EVP |
Marten Peck, Partner, Salus Ventures |
Matthew Parbhu, Principal, Shearwater Capital |
Matthew Smith, CEO, MyPass Global |
Matthew White, Partner, Nuance Connected Capital |
McGregor Fea, Managing Partner, Altered Capital |
Melissa Widner, CEO, Lighter Capital |
Michael Canaris, Investor |
Michael Chen, CEO/Founder, SpringCapital Investment Pty Ltd |
Michael Hawkins, CEO, Affirm Sofware |
Michael Langford, Head of VC, Google Cloud |
Michael Macrides, Senior Director, VC Breakthrough Victoria |
Mike Abbott, General Partner, Antler |
Mike Nicholls, Partner, Main Sequence |
Mike Robinson, Cofounder and Partner, Macdoch Ventures |
Milly Goucher, Head of Corporate Development & Investments, Helia |
Mitali Purohit, Partner, Nuance Capital |
Mitchell Bissinger, Investment Manager, Folklore Ventures |
Monica Zarafu, Founder & CEO, Bykko |
Natasha Prevot, Co-Founder, Techvisa |
Nick Gainsley, Partner, OneVentures |
Olivia Grivas, Principal, Skip Capital |
Olivia Wensley, CEO, Silicon South |
Owen Humphries, Head of Technology Research, Canaccord Genuity |
Paul Becker, Founder & CEO, ArtMoney |
Paul Tontodonati, Co-Founder/Director, Platform Advisory Partners |
Paula Burton, CEO, Mass Dynamics |
Peter Kennedy, Senior Adviser, Burda Principal Investments |
Phoebe Bardsley, CEO & Co-founder, Go Locum |
Phil Morle, Partner, Main Sequence |
Priya Saiprasad, General Partner, Touring Capital |
Prue Gilbert, CEO, Grace Papers |
Quentin Wallace, Partner, Archangel Ventures |
Rachel Yang, Partner, Giant Leap |
Rajeev Gupta, Partner, Alium Capital |
Rebecca Schot-Guppy, Partner, Firemark Ventures |
Richard Du, Investment Manager, MA Growth Ventures |
Rick Baker, Co-Founder & Partner, Blackbird |
Robert Kinkade, Director (Dynamic Uplift) and Senior Partner (MitchelLake), Dynamic Uplift + MitchelLake |
Sachin Bhanot, Head of Investments, SEA & ANZ, Prosus Ventures |
Sahil Arora, Investor, Skip Capital |
Sally Yu Investment, Principal, King River Capital |
Sam Bricknell, Director, Techvisa |
Sam Jacobson, VP, Macquarie Group |
Simon Betschel, Operating Partner, Possible Ventures |
Simon Pound, Managing Partner, Previously Unavailable |
Stefan Hrabar, Founder & CSO, Emesent |
Stephanie Hamlyn, Investment Manager, Partners For Growth |
Steve Allan, Investor |
Steve Fanale, Founder, Fanale Exec |
Steve Lewis, Founder CEO, Nabu AI |
Stuart Low, CEO and Founder, BIZA.IO |
Stuart Dullard, Partner, Ashurst |
Tom Humphrey, Investments Partner, Blackbird Ventures |
Tony Mao, Co-founder, Nullify |
Trent Bagnall, Partner, Melt Ventures |
Vincent Fletcher, Chief Product Officer, CartonCloud |
Xavier Keary, Special Counsel, Gilbert + Tobin |
Walid Nawabi, Co-founder, MotorPlatform |
William Barratt, Director & Co-founder, BS+A |
William Scheer, Founder & CEO, Reason Group |
Yash Varma, Founder & General Partner, Empress Capital |
Registration
Explore24 is exclusively for Innovation Bay members.
Not a member? We have a limited number of openings for prospective members who are exploring becoming joining Innovation Bay. Apply to attend and we’ll be in touch.
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Want to get a sense of the
Explore24 experience?
Watch the videos below to discover more about the adventures and connections you can expect to experience at Explore24.
What people say about our events
“The Innovation Bay team structured one of the most relevant events for business leaders I’ve experienced with room full of positive ego professionals invested in success beyond 2024.”
Steve Lewis | Vigilum, Nabu
“Innovation Bay is really unique. It’s an open forum for discussion. We come and connect and share deals and talk about what we’re struggling with or what we’re aiming for. It’s such a great space to be able to get everyone together and all the different ideas in an open forum.”
Georgia Barkell | Sprint Ventures
“The magic happens when you can put lots of people in a room together who have the right values and intentions. What I’m finding is that everyone wants to help each other. We’ve built some really great relationships.”
Yash Varma | Empress Capital
Registration
Explore24 is exclusively for Innovation Bay members.
Not a member? We have a limited number of openings for prospective members who are exploring becoming joining Innovation Bay. Register your interest and we’ll be in touch.