Forging Australia's Tech Future
2024 | Melbourne
2023 | Brisbane
National Tech Summit 2023
Thank you to all our attendees
Thank you for making the National Tech Summit a resounding success!
We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to host such a remarkable gathering of tech enthusiasts, industry leaders, and visionaries. Your presence and active participation made the event truly unforgettable. As we reflect on the insightful discussions, valuable connections, and inspiring moments, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for contributing to the summit’s success. Thank you once again for being a part of this incredible journey!
Check out the Agenda
DAY 1 – Thursday 20 July 2023
Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane
- 7:30AM
Registration opens
- 8:45am - 9:30am
Opening Plenary
- 9:30AM - 10:00AM
Keynote: Australia’s tech opportunity
Robyn Denholm, Chair of Tech Council of Australia and Tesla; Operating Partner of Blackbird
Experience a captivating keynote address by Robyn Denholm, Chair of the Tech Council of Australia and Tesla, and Operating Partner of Blackbird. With her profound expertise in the renewable energy transition and digitisation of the economy, Robyn stands as a global leader in the tech sector. From her extensive career spanning Australia’s automotive industry to Silicon Valley, Robyn will present her visionary outlook on Australia’s tech opportunity in the upcoming decade.
Join us as she explores the potential for Australia to assume a global leadership role and sheds light on the next breakthroughs in innovation, the path to building internationally successful industries, embracing failure without fear, and the potential emergence of the next Elon Musk from QLD.
- 10:00AM - 11:15AM
Panel: Surfing the wave
- Moderator: Chris Jones, Editor, The Courier-Mail
- Scott Farquhar, Co-CEO and Co-founder of Atlassian
- Robyn Denholm, Chair of Tech Council of Australia and Tesla; Operating Partner of Blackbird
- Ed Chung, CEO, TechnologyOne
- Christine McLoughlin AM, Chairman, Suncorp
- Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy
Delve into a high-powered session where distinguished leaders from Australia’s tech sector share their personal experiences of manoeuvring through the fluctuating cycles of tech sector investment and innovation. Gain valuable insights into the current environment as these experts reflect on their journeys of building and leading companies during periods of both downturns and upswings. Practical advice for founders and decision-makers will be provided, illustrating how downturns can be an opportune time to cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurs and foster the development of new industries.
- 11:15am - 11:20am
Major Partner Address – TechnologyOne
- 11:20am - 11:35am
Keynote Speech – The Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk, Queensland Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games
- 11:35am - 11:45am
Report launch: Transforming Australia into the world’s best country for start-ups and scale-ups
Kate Pounder, CEO, Tech Council of Australia
Witness the unveiling of our latest research report, which sets a bold ambition for Australia to become the pre-eminent global destination for launching, expanding, and investing in tech companies. This comprehensive study explores the prevailing trends within Australia’s start-up and scale-up ecosystem and emphasises the indispensable tax, investment, skills, and regulatory frameworks required at both the state and federal levels. Discover the indispensable ingredients necessary to nurture the next wave of globally successful tech firms.
- 11:45am - 12:40pm
Panel: How can Australia spur investment and build globally competitive companies
Moderator: Kate Pounder, CEO, Tech Council of Australia
- Mel Silva, Managing Director, Google Australia
- Didier Elzinga, Founder/CEO & People Geek, CultureAmp
- Meghan Quinn PSM, Secretary, Department of Industry, Science and Resources
- Dan Krasnostein, Partner, SquarePeg
- Richard Holden, Professor of Economics, UNSW Business School
- Eglantine Etiemble, Group Chief Technology Officer, PEXA
Building upon our latest research report, this session offers an in-depth exploration of how global and local economic conditions influence investment trends within Australia’s tech industries. By examining the impact of high inflation, rising interest rates, and innovative investment models like the National Reconstruction Fund, we will uncover the keys to fostering the growth of our tech companies. Gain insights from current founders and venture capital investors on navigating the capital-raising landscape across different stages and positioning companies for a prosperous future.
- 12:40pm - 2:00pm
Lunch and Networking
- 2:00pm - 2:10pm
Set the scene
Ciaran Martin, CyberCX Global Advisory Board, CyberCX UK Chairman, and former head of UK National Cyber Security Centre
- 2:10pm - 2:15pm
Address
Brendan Dowling, Incoming Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology, Australian Government Department of Home Affairs
- 2:15pm - 3:10pm
Debate: Can tech ever be secure by design and default?
Proudly brought to you by CyberCX – our Secure Tech Partner
Moderator: Ryan Black, Head of Policy & Research, Tech Council of Australia
- Richard White, CEO, WiseTech Global
- Jason Matusow (US), General Manager of Corporate Standards Group, Microsoft
- Johanna Weaver, Director, ANU Tech Policy Design Centre
- Ciaran Martin, CyberCX Global Advisory Board, CyberCX UK Chairman, and former head of UK National Cyber Security Centre
- Victor Dominello, Executive Director, Tech Council of Australia; Director, UNSW UTS Trustworthy Digital Society Hub
- Narelle Devine CSM, Chief Information Security Officer Asia Pacific, Telstra
As cyber-attacks proliferate in frequency and magnitude, governments and security agencies around the globe are increasingly looking to technology and tech companies to develop more secure, seamless, and hack-proof products and services. From software and hardware, to digital ID and “clean pipes”, the ultimate goal is to shift responsibility for cyber security off end-users and up the supply chain to tech companies, including through mandatory requirements. Technology has a critical role to play in cyber protection, but the feasibility and desirability of some of the proposed policy and regulatory approaches remain highly debated. Engage in a live debate-style panel featuring top local and global experts as they explore the opportunities and challenges of making technology secure-by-design and default.
- 3:10pm - 4:15pm
Panel: What will be the biggest tech breakthrough of the next decade?
Proudly brought to you by Airwallex, our Tech Breakthrough Partner
Moderator: David Swan, Technology Editor, The Australia
- Dr Cathy Foley, Australia’s Chief Scientist
- Dr Aengus Tran, Co-Founder & CEO, harrison.ai
- Dr Vikram Sharma, Founder and CEO, QuintessenceLabs
- Jane Hunter, CEO, Tritium
- George Peppou, Founder & CEO, Vow
- Luke Latham, General Manager ANZ, Airwallex.
Join us for an extraordinary closing panel on day one of the Summit, where renowned scientists and entrepreneurs will ignite your imagination with their visions for the next wave of technological innovations. Prepare to be captivated by presentations on pivotal areas of innovation and research that will shape the coming decade. Explore captivating topics such as quantum technology, artificial intelligence, lab-grown foods, electric vehicles, and transformative advancements in the payments system. Engage in thought-provoking discussions on the economic, social, and environmental implications of these groundbreaking innovations, and embrace a positive outlook on the limitless potential
they hold.
- 4:15pm - 4:30pm
Closing Day Reflections
- 6:30pm - 10:30pm
Networking Dinner
Felons Barrel Hall, Howard Smith Wharves
MC: Kate Jones, Executive Director, Tech Council of Australia; Advisor, Soda
Sponsor address: Jamie Simon, Director of SW (SaaS) and Digital Native Segment, ANZ,
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Keynote speaker: Hon Ed Husic MP, Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Resources
Keynote speaker: Hon Stirling Hinchliffe, Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Innovation and Minister for Sport, Queensland Government
DAY 2 – Friday 21 July 2023
Go1 Offices, Logan + The Precinct, Fortitude Valley
- 7:30am - 8:30am
Transfer to Go1 Offices
2908 Logan Rd, Underwood
- 9:00am
Day 2 Opening Session
- 9:05am - 9:10am
Welcome Address
- 9:10am - 9:20am
Go1 Official Office Launch
Plenary Partner: Go1
Featuring: Vu Tran, Co-Founder of Go1
- 9:20am - 9:25am
QLD Tech Jobs Opportunity Announcement
MC: Kate Pounder, CEO, Tech Council of Australia
- 9:25am - 10:15am
Panel: Queensland’s Tech Jobs Opportunity
- Vu Tran, Co-Founder, Go1
- Julia Spicer OAM, Queensland Chief Entrepreneur
- Bevan Slattery, Founder of Soda and Megaport
- Yas Grigaliunas, Founder & Chief Evangelist, Circonomy
- Dr Cori Stewart, Founder and CEO, ARM Hub
While Queensland is renowned for its tourism, mining, and agricultural sectors, it has quietly emerged as a major hub for tech and innovation within Australia. Southeast Queensland stands as the fastest-growing region for tech jobs in the country, and fascinating stories of tech growth abound in regional and outer-suburban Queensland. Join us as prominent tech leaders explore how Queensland has fostered the incubation of tech businesses, the necessary steps to build upon this success, the future trajectory of the state’s tech sector, and the valuable lessons other parts of Australia can glean from Queensland’s inspiring journey.
- 10:15am - 10:30am
Address: Hon Dr Jim Chalmers, Treasurer of Australia
- 10:30am - 11:15am
Morning Tea and Networking
- 11:15AM - 12:00PM
Return transfer to Brisbane City
- 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Lunch & Tech Minds Meet at The Precinct
Proudly brought to you by our major partner – TechnologyOne
We are thrilled to introduce the Tech Minds Meet, a highly anticipated addition to our program. This session aims to create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere where attendees can personally meet and interact with our distinguished speakers and delegates during this lunch break. It promises to be an incredibly entertaining experience!
In this unique session, we offer delegates the opportunity to engage in an ‘Ask Anything’ format, granting them exclusive access to Australia’s leading tech representatives from various specialised fields. We believe this will foster meaningful conversations and allow attendees to gain valuable insights from these esteemed individuals.
Join us for this exciting session, as it promises to be an interactive and engaging experience like no other!
- 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Choose Your Workshop: A CXO’s guide to a future-proof workforce
Facilitator: Scarlett McDermott, Head of Ecosystems & Capability at Tech Council of Australia
- Didier Elzinga, Founder/CEO & People Geek, CultureAmp; Director, Tech Council of Australia
- Louise Nobes, CEO, 42 Adelaide
- Sarah Tinsley, General Counsel & Company Secretary, CultureAmp
- Sarah Moran, CEO, Girl Geek Academy
- More to come
Embark on a transformative workshop experience designed to equip CXOs with the knowledge and tools necessary to cultivate a resilient, adaptable, and productive workforce. Delve into the challenges posed by the modern workforce and explore leading-edge solutions for future-proofing your team. Together with a group of experts, navigate the intricacies of the employee lifecycle, gain clarity by asking critical questions to yourself and your team, and discover practical strategies to propel your organisation in the right direction.
- 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Choose Your Workshop: Shaping AI
Proudly brought to you by Microsoft, our Shaping AI Partner
- Kate Pounder, CEO, Tech Council of Australia
- Ed Santow, Professor, University of Technology Sydney; Co-Director, Human Technology Institute
- Elanor Huntington, Executive Director, CSIRO
- Jason Matusow (US), General Manager of Corporate Standards Group, Microsoft
- Lee Hickin, Microsoft
- Aaron Hill, Accenture
- Sophie Farthing, Head, Policy Lab, Human Technology Institute, University of Technology Sydney
Join us for an immersive session that delves deep into the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI). Gain valuable insights into the legal and economic implications arising from AI advancements and explore the strategic responses necessary to harness the opportunities while managing associated risks. This workshop provides a unique opportunity to stay at the forefront of AI innovation and gain a competitive edge in this rapidly evolving field.
- 4:30pm - 4:45pm
Closing Address
- 4:45pm - 6:00pm
Networking Drinks at The Precinct
Listen to the National Tech Summit Playlist
Welcome Drinks
Day 1
Day 2
Our Partners and Sponsors
crowdDJ Partner
| Contact Us |
|---|
Tech Council Events Kobe Elliot, TCA Head of Events, 0414 145 069 Jacqui Murkins, TCA Head of Membership & Engagement, 0413 532 924 Kate Lord, Media enquiries, 0438 448 248 |