Find your Co-Founder or New Hire - AI Edition (Ecosystem Event)

Note: This is a local innovation ecosystem event hosted by Western Sydney Startup Hub and Investment NSW. To participate, a ticket must be purchased on humanitix (Link).

Looking to find the right co-founder or team members to help your startup or scaleup navigate AI?

Join us for a special AI-focused edition of the highly anticipated Find your Co-Founder or New Hire event, proudly hosted by Western Sydney Startup Hub, and powered by Spacecubed.

This edition brings together founders, entrepreneurs, technical builders, product leaders, and operators — from first-time founders exploring how AI could support their business, to experienced professionals who know how to design, build, and apply AI software in real-world contexts.

On Wednesday, 18 February, the Western Sydney Startup Hub will come alive with a vibrant mix of AI-curious and AI-experienced founders, professionals, and ecosystem players looking to form founding teams, make key early hires, or explore opportunities within startups and scaleups using AI as part of their product, operations, or growth strategy.

Whether you’re searching for a technical or commercial co-founder, hiring to build out your team, or looking to join a startup navigating the AI transition, this event is designed to accelerate the right conversations and connections.

The event kicks off at 5:00pm with networking and refreshments, followed by an exclusive fireside chat featuring practical, accessible insights from a leading AI community builder.

Fireside Chat: Building Practical AI Startups & Communities
We’ll be joined by Lailei Huang, Founder and Chair of Western Sydney Tech Innovators (WSTI) - Western Sydney’s largest grassroots AI community. Lailei is an AI software engineer and educator who specializes in bridging the gap between advanced AI capabilities and practical business application. Through WSTI, he has built a thriving ecosystem of over 1,800 active members, directly supporting founders and teams navigating the AI transition by unleashing the massive opportunities while avoiding associated risks.

In this fireside chat, Lailei will share how founders can use AI as a genuine competitive advantage, and why the right community can dramatically accelerate your startup journey.
Drawing on his experience, Lailei will unpack:

• How an AI-first founder mindset, skill set, and tool stack can help you move faster, build smarter, and compete with larger teams
• Why real human connections from finding a co-founder to making your first key hire are often the missing ingredient in turning AI ideas into real companies
• How being part of a founder led AI community like WSTI can shorten your learning curve, surface opportunities, and help you avoid costly mistakes

Expect practical insights, real examples, and a clear roadmap for using both AI and community as growth engines for your startup.
Following the fireside chat, you’ll have the opportunity to pitch your ideas and connect with potential co-founders or hires in a high-energy, structured networking session designed to help you make meaningful, game-changing connections.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

• Elevator Pitches: Showcase your business or highlight the skills you bring as a potential co-founder or early hire in concise 60-second pitches
• Founder & Team Matchmaking
  Connect with founders, builders, and operators aligned around startups and scaleups where AI supports the business.
• Diversity: This event welcomes startups and professionals from any industry, whether AI is central to your product or used to improve how your business operates

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

• Entrepreneurs and founders building or planning a startup where AI plays a role, or exploring how AI could support their business, including those seeking co-founders or early team members
• Technical and product professionals including AI engineers, data scientists, and software builders interested in applying their skills in early stage or growing teams
• Operations, sales and marketing leaders looking to contribute to startups or scaleups leveraging AI for growth or efficiency
• Professionals exploring carer opportunities or long term connections within startups and scaleups where AI is part of the business
• Business leaders and hiring managers looking to build or expand teams navigating AI adoption

REGISTRATION CATEGORIES:
I AM LOOKING FOR A CO-FOUNDER

• I'm building or planning a startup where AI plays a role
• I want to meet co-founders with complementary skills and shared ambition
• I'm early in the journey and open to exploring ideas and starting the right conversations

I AM HIRING TO BUILD OUT MY TEAM

• I'm growing a startup or scaleup and looking for early, high impact hires
• I want to meet candidates across technical, product and commercial roles
• I'm building a business where AI plays a role and want to connect with people who can help us grow

I AM LOOKING FOR A ROLE WITH A TECH STARTUP OR SCALEUP

• I want to join a startup or scaleup where AI is part of the business
• I want to connect directly with founders and hiring decision makers
• I'm looking to build long term connections within the startup ecosystem

EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Wednesday, 18 February, 2026
Where: Western Sydney Startup Hub, 5 Fleet Street, North Parramatta
Guest arrival, drinks & nibbles: 5:00pm – 5:30pm
Welcome and fireside chat: 5:30pm – 6:00pm
60 sec elevator pitches: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Networking drinks & canapes: 7:00pm – 8:00pm

Don't miss this opportunity to build the founding and early teams that will shape the next generation of AI powered startups. Register now and take the next step in your growth journey.
We look forward to welcoming you to this event!

By attending this event, you consent that you may be photographed and recorded on video. These photos and videos may be used for marketing and promotional purposes in the future. If you have any concerns please let the team know upon arrival.