Dive into Tech & Innovation at SXSW Sydney!

September 5, 2024

Dive head-first into the future at SXSW Sydney!

Last year’s inaugural event marked a significant milestone for Australia’s tech and innovation landscape, cementing Sydney’s position as a global hub for creativity, entrepreneurship and innovative technologies.

"We are really thrilled with the way the Tech & Innovation festival is shaping up in 2024 – it’s a true cross-pollination of industries, skills and sectors. Last year set the tone, and now we’re excited to build on that foundation to see the tech & innovation offerings – which really are woven into the fabric of the entire event – shine through. SXSW is famous for those serendipitous moments that pave the way for some super unique opportunities and collaborations. It's about showing up in a different way and we encourage people to embrace that vibe". SXSW Sydney Head of Tech & Innovation, Caroline Pegram

As we look forward to SXSW Sydney 2024, let’s explore some of the exciting Tech & Innovation offerings that make this an essential destination for tech enthusiasts, startups, industry professionals and everyone in between!

Tech & Innovation Conference Tracks

SXSW Sydney’s Tech & Innovation conference tracks cover a wide range of crucial topics that are shaping our future. Badgeholders can attend engaging sessions on:

  • · 2050
  • · AI & Robotics presented by Accenture
  • · Cyber & Your Data presented by Cyber CX
  • · Health & MedTech
  • · Money, Markets & FinTech
  • · Startups
  • · Technology presented by CommBank
  • · XR & Metaverse

These tracks feature global industry leaders sharing insights on the latest trends and innovations, providing a comprehensive overview of the tech landscape.

Tech & Innovation Expo

At the heart of our tech offering is the Tech & Innovation Expo, taking place over four days at SXSW Sydney’s Exhibition Halls. Get ready for:

  • · 60+ exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge product demonstrations and interactive installations
  • · Talks and presentations on the Discovery Stage and the Next Stage
  • · The latest innovations in AI, sustainability healthcare and more
  • · Pop ups from the startup founders who are disrupting the status-quo at the Startup Village

The SXSW Sydney Tech & Innovation Expo runs Wednesday 16 October – Saturday 19 October and is accessible with a badge, wristband, or expo pass.

Interactive Zones & Experiences

The Tech & Innovation Expo will feature specialised areas for attendees to learn, connect and be inspired.

  • · XR Showcase: Explore boundary-pushing XR, VR and AR experiences
  • · Breakthrough Zone: Learn from disruptors and thought leaders changing the game in technology and creative pursuits
  • · Global Zone: A space to explore international trends and initiatives
  • · Health and Wellness Zone: Featuring companies striving to improve quality of life through innovative products and services
  • · Social Impact Zone: Spotlighting businesses with initiatives that positively impact the world socially, economically or environmentally
  • · Education & Skills Zone: Featuring exhibitors who are creating the blueprint for the future of business in the Asia-Pacific region
  • · Entertainment: Discover cutting-edge industries like screen, games and music, that include designers, developers, artists, coders and manufacturers

Startups

SXSW Sydney provides a vibrant platform for startups to shine:

  • · SXSW Sydney Pitch: Finalists present their visionary ideas to industry experts, competing for the chance to pitch at SXSW Sydney Austin in 2025
  • · Startup Village: A dedicated space in the Tech & Innovation Expo for emerging brands to showcase their products and connect with potential investors

Networking Opportunities

Connect with industry leaders and peers at numerous special events, including:

  • · Opening Night Event presented by Dell (unmissable for all SXSW Sydney badgeholders)
  • · VCs & Founder networking events
  • · Curated meetups, including at The Hub, presented by Aussie Broadband

Speaker Highlights

  • · Katherine Bennell-Pegg – Australia's first astronaut, combines engineering expertise with a passion for space, inspiring future generations in STEM. | Track: 2050
  • · Armand Ruiz – IBM AI leader Armand Ruiz pioneers generative AI solutions, impacting millions globally through innovation and industry expertise. | Track: AI & Robotics
  • · Martin D. Adams – Martin Adams pioneers ethical AI technologies, revolutionising human connection and creativity while protecting digital identities globally. | Track: AI & Robotics
  • · Ryan Patel – Ryan is a renowned futurist and authority in global business, governance, and AI, advising leaders and hosting influential discussions. | Track: Technology
  • · Michelle Simmons – Pioneering quantum computing leader Michelle Simmons revolutionises atomic electronics, driving global innovation in silicon-based quantum technology. | Track: Technology
  • · Elizabeth Bramson-Boudreau – MIT Technology Review CEO shares the latest tech innovations being developed in the world’s leading labs and research centres, explaining how our lives will change over the next years and decade. | Track: 2050
  • · Brian David Johnson – Intel's first futurist teaches futurecasting to develop an actionable 10-15 year vision and consider what it will feel like to live in the future.
  • · Reed Jobs – Founder of venture capital firm Yosemite, which has raised more than $200 million to finance innovation in cancer care. Speaking on a panel about the future of biotech. | Track: 2050
  • · Clare Bycroft – Google DeepMind AI researcher speaking on a panel with Sarah Murdoch and Daniel MacArthur about opportunities and challenges in the genomic era. | Track: Health & MedTech
  • · Noelle Russell – Multi-award-winning technologist Noelle Russell specialises in helping companies with data, cloud, conversational AI, Generative AI, and LLM's.
  • · Wesley Chan – Google Analytics and Google Voice founder, Wesley Chan, joins a panel titled Insider Advice for Entrepreneurs Wanting to Expand to the US, and is one of the grand final judges for SXSW Sydney Pitch.
  • · Michael Biercuk – CEO and Founder of Q-CTRL who has helped steer government investments in quantum information and advanced computer architectures. Michael is a SXSW and TEDx speaking alumnus and has won multiple awards for research, innovation, and commercial technology development.
  • · Genevieve Bell – Vice-Chancellor and President of the Australian National University and renowned anthropologist, technologist, and futurist. Professor Genevieve Bell is best known for her work at the intersection of cultural practice and technology development and for being an important voice in the global debates around artificial intelligence and human society.
  • · Catherine Ball – Academic at ANU’s School of Cybernetics, bestselling author, futurist and visioneer. Having been called a ‘social architect’, Catherine likes to connect people from different backgrounds across common themes.

Session Highlights

Betting Big on Bio: Why the Future of the World Will Be Defined By Biotech – Visionary leaders including Reed Jobs and Emily Casey explore biotech's potential to solve global challenges, positioning it as a crucial investment for humanity's future. | Track: 2050 *Add to schedule

Better than a Hollywood Movie: The Highs, Lows, Epic Moments, and Colossal Steps Forward in Bringing Back the Tasmanian Tiger – with serial technology entrepreneur Ben Lamm, Professor of Biosciences at University of Melbourne TIGRR Lab Andrew Pask, and moderated by Luke Hemsworth. | Track: 2050 *Add to schedule

X Marks The Spot: Incentives Fuelling Innovation – XPRIZE catalyses global innovation, from space exploration to quantum computing. Your world-changing idea could be next. | Track: 2050 *Add to schedule

Where is my Mind? – Neurotechnology's rapid advance raises profound ethical questions about human identity, rights, and autonomy. Australian Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay, consumer advocate Kate Bower and neuroscientist Kiley Seymour explore implications. | Track: 2050 *Add to schedule

Science is better than Science Fiction – Astrophysicists explore sci-fi's scientific foundations, inspiring innovation and challenging norms while bridging fiction and reality. With Dr. Matt Agnew, Dr. Sara Webb, Dr. Kirsten Banks, and Astro Kobi (Kobi Brown). | Track: 2050 *Add to schedule

Abi: Your Best Friend Out of the Box – Meet Abi, the humanoid companion robot by CEO of Andromeda Robotics, Grace Brown, transforming companionship with innovative technology and real-world impact. | Track: AI & Robotics *Add to schedule

Perceptive Robots Are Coming - Look Busy! – Explore AI's next wave and hear about how robots are beginning to sense and perceive the world and be trained by humans (remember us?) Learn about perception models and how AI will integrate with next generation robotics. | Track: AI & Robotics *Add to schedule

Are Dogs Generative AI’s Greatest Beneficiaries? – AI promises extra time, but how should organisations truly invest it? Explore AI-augmented workplaces and productivity measures. | Track: AI & Robotics *Add to schedule

Signals in the Noise: Why is Cyber and Data so Hard? – Digital ubiquity: life-saving yet potentially threatening. Explore cyber complexities, AI's future, and reclaiming digital agency in an interconnected world. | Track: Cyber & Your Data presented by Cyber CX *Add to schedule

Pictures of You: How You’re Being Watched Everywhere From Your Couch to Your Car – Smart devices spy on us daily. Join Jathan Sadowski, Kate Bower, and Jacqui Kernot to explore privacy, security, and data benefits. | Track: Cyber & Your Data presented by Cyber CX *Add to schedule

The Genomic Transformation of Medicine – Genomics, data science, and therapeutics revolutionise medicine. Experts Sarah Murdoch. Daniel MacArthur, Clare Bycroft (Google DeepMind) Enzo Porrello discuss opportunities and challenges in the genomic era. | Track: Health & MedTech *Add to schedule

The Next Era of Health from Data to Diagnosis: The AI Path to Personalised Healthcare and Precision Medicine – Experts Dr. Angus Tran, Professor Blanca Gallego AND Dr. Lamont Tang, explore personaliSed medicine, precision diagnostics, and data-driven advancements shaping the future. | Track: Health & MedTech *Add to schedule

Insider Advice for Entrepreneurs Wanting to Expand to the U.S. – With Marisa Warren (Founder & Managing Partner @ ALIAVIA Ventures), Wesley Chan (Co-founder of FVP Ventures), Doug English (CTO and Co-Founder of CultureAmp) and Karen Jacobson (the Australian voice of Siri). | Track: Startups *Add to schedule

How These Women Earned Their Spot at the Helm of the World’s Hottest Tech Unicorns – Women in leadership at unicorn tech companies drive innovation, attract diverse talent, and reshape the VC ecosystem for greater gender balance. Hear from leaders at Linktree, Deputy, and Airtree. | Track: Startups *Add to schedule

Mobilising Capital Towards Positive Impact, a Call to Arms for Aussie Investors and Funds | Alberts Executive Director Ingrid Albert joins SMH tech editor David Swan and Uluu Co-Founder Julia Reisser to discuss how Aussie VCs, investors and funds need to mobilise capital into startups and entrepreneurs making a positive impact. | Track: Startups *Add to schedule

Pioneers and Prodigies: The Next Generation of Venture Capital – Join Co-founder of Blackbird Niki Scevak, Founder of BuildClub Annie Liao, alongside Paul Naphtali, and Mitchell Hughes in understanding the future of venture capital and what role different generations of investors play. | Track: Startups *Add to schedule

Indigenous Futures in STEM | Indigenous STEM leader Professor Chris Lawrence reveals how Aboriginal knowledge drives innovation, space exploration, and sustainable futures across sectors. | Track: Technology *Add to schedule

Cracking the Code: Harnessing Productive Growth Channels Amidst Economic Murk – Experts explore growth strategies: traditional outbound sales vs. innovative product-led approaches, partnerships, AI impact, and brand empowerment. | Track: Technology *Add to schedule

Is Australia... Asia? – Australia bridges East and West, fostering tech, investment, and innovation ties with Southeast Asia. Experts Rod Bristow (Investible), Karen Lawson (Save the Children) and Dennis Pratistha (Mandiri Capital Indonesia) explore future intersections. | Track: Technology *Add to schedule

Exhibitors and Partners

Get ready to see interactive activations and installations from the following exhibitors (and more!) at the Tech & Innovation expo: Blackmagic Design Pty Ltd, Enterprising ME, Monash University Faculty of Information Technology, Nearmap, Charitabl., Cyber Warden, INVNT, NAL (National Acoustics Laboratories), ANU School of Cybernetics, Leap Event Technology / Ticketbooth, Australian Defence Force, Getty Images, Telum Media, Andromeda Robotics, The Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE), Zoho Corporation, Fleet Space Technologies, Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC) THAILAND: Artificial Intelligence(AI), ZeroMotorcycles Australia, AkulaTech / Nexa Robotics, Midnight Health, Dell Technologies, Too Far Media, Removery Tattoo, Dingoo, MMAPT Robotics, and Klaviyo.

Plus our Zone sponsors:

Discovery Stage presented by INVNT™ – For the second year in a row, the SXSW Sydney 2024 ‘Discovery Stage’ will be sponsored by INVNT™, the experiential disruptor agency. INVNT will also serve as the co-producer of the stage. Additionally, INVNT has also been named an endorsed Creative Experiential Partner for the SXSW Sydney 2024 event. The brand storytelling agency brings its "Challenge Everything" ethos and world-class expertise in creativity, production and innovation to the Expo and week-long event.

Startup Village presented by VentureCrowd – VentureCrowd is proud to sponsor the Startup Village at SXSW Sydney, showcasing a curated collection of forward-thinking tech businesses from the APAC region. Visit their booth to explore the future of digital capital raising, connect with innovators, and discover groundbreaking ideas.

The Hub presented by Aussie Broadband – Aussie Broadband is proud to be sponsoring 'The Hub' within the Tech & Innovation Expo at SXSW Sydney 2024. Delegates will be able to take a break and collaborate in their thought-provoking space, while discovering how Aussie Broadband can support their innovation, business growth and technology needs.

Global Zone presented by AWS – The AWS Innovation Hub will celebrate “AI everywhere” with five interactive activations including a virtual golf coach using computer vision and GenAI in partnership with Golf Australia, the medal winning machine learning Swimming Australia story, interactive creative product design in collaboration with Leonardo.AI, GenAI powered arcade fighting video game as well as an augmented reality barista coffee stand.

Social Impact Zone presented by B Lab - What do companies like Patagonia, Today, Intrepid Travel, Australian Vintage, Intopia and Code Like a Girl have in common? Along with over 9000 other leading businesses worldwide, they are Certified B Corporations. B Corps are independently assessed by B Lab for balancing profit with positive impact on people and the planet. Visit the B Corp stand to learn how B Corps are shaping a better future — one that Benefits all.

SXSW Sydney 2024 is shaping up to be a gathering of tech innovators, entrepreneurs, and visionaries like no other! From AI and robotics to health tech and sustainability, we exist to provide a comprehensive look at the technologies shaping our future. Whether you're a startup founder, an established tech professional, or simply passionate about innovation, SXSW Sydney provides the perfect platform to learn, connect, and be inspired by the cutting-edge of technology and creativity.

See you at SXSW Sydney 2024

Join us this October 14-20 for SXSW Sydney 2024. Explore Conference sessions, Music Festival showcases, Screen Festival screenings, a world-class Tech & Innovation Expo, and beyond on the SXSW Schedule.

ATTEND SXSW SYDNEY