Founder Groups Melbourne
Connect with Entrepreneurs in Melbourne

Founder Connect!
Tue, Aug 11, 8:00 AM️ \*\***TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR EVENT --** **[CLICK HERE FOR THE TICKETS](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/founder-connect-tickets-1990615078285)**[ ](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/founder-connect-tickets-1990615078285)\*\*️ Join us for another TSN gathering designed to bring the startup community together! Whether you’re a founder, operator or ecosystem builder, this event is a chance to connect with peers, learn something new and be part of a supportive network. Each edition highlights different voices and topics, but the goal remains the same, community, collaboration and meaningful conversations. Date: 11th August 2026 Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM AEST Venue: Grevillea Room, Darebin Arts Centre 401 Bell Street (corner Bell St & St Georges Rd), Preston 3072 [Joe Blanck](https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-blanck-48473418/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-blanck-48473418/") spent 20+ years mastering his craft before founding [A Blanck Canvas](https://ablanckcanvas.com/ "https://ablanckcanvas.com/") in 2013, growing it into a world-class studio designing, building and performing unforgettable, immersive experiences for audiences of all ages, all over the world. In this keynote followed by a Q&A Joe shares candid lessons on the leap from artisan to business leader, scaling a team without losing creative integrity, and navigating high-stakes client relationships. For founders and businesses growing their own ventures, it's a grounded look at what scaling really takes. Joe Blanck is a creature designer, maker, artist and Creative Director with more than 20 years of experience creating immersive entertainment experiences. As the founder of A Blanck Canvas, he leads a Melbourne-based studio specialising in large-scale puppets, props, illuminated installations and live event spectacles for film, theatre and major public events. Beginning his career in scenic art and theatre, Joe later worked with Creature Technology Company on acclaimed productions including Walking with Dinosaurs, How to Train Your Dragon and King Kong. In 2013, he founded A Blanck Canvas, bringing together his passion for scenic art, creature-making and live performance to create world-class experiences and handcrafted spectacles. In 2024, he was honoured as a TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) Master, joining a distinguished global network of industry leaders. Through A Blanck Canvas, Joe continues to combine artistry, craftsmanship and innovation to create extraordinary experiences that inspire connection, wonder and imagination. What to Expect: 🎤 Inspiring Speaker Session: Gain practical advice and insider knowledge from an experienced industry leader who will share insights to help you navigate your entrepreneurial journey. 💬 Interactive Q&A Session: Bring your questions! Learn actionable strategies from our expert speaker. 🤝 Networking Opportunities: Build meaningful connections with fellow founders, entrepreneurs, and startup enthusiasts over food and drinks. 🍔🍷 Whether you’re growing your startup, brainstorming your next big idea, or simply exploring the ecosystem, Founder Connect is your chance to gain valuable insights, connect with like-minded individuals, and walk away with inspiration for your entrepreneurial journey Why Attend? Founder Connect is your opportunity to stay informed, network with a thriving community, and gain practical knowledge to strengthen your business. Together, we’ll explore ways to tackle common challenges and build a resilient, innovative future. 📅 Save the date and RSVP now to secure your spot! See you there! 🎉

Founders Running Club :: Melbourne
Fri, Jul 24, 10:00 PM📢 Founders Running Club :: Melbourne — the first Australian chapter of a global community bringing together founders, investors, operators, and creators. Whether startups are your whole career or just a curiosity, that’s our common ground. Come run, grab a coffee, make some friends. When? 8am every Saturday. We start gathering around 7:50am (some of us are there from 7:45). Where? Parkville parkrun: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WcaekGkh6S1DVK9Q7 🏃 First time? We run alongside parkrun, a larger event with 500+ participants, so there’s a first timer’s briefing. No sign-up needed, but you can grab a free barcode at parkrun.com.au to track your time and stats. It’s a 5K, but run your own lap of 3K or whatever you like. We don’t all run as a group (some do), and we meet after. We hang in the park until \~8:45, then grab ☕🥐 at a nearby café. 🤝 How do I find you? We gather in the park after the run. Join our WhatsApp group: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/KJRG8JnP1OF5Fw6Psfa72m](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KJRG8JnP1OF5Fw6Psfa72m) 👯 Bring a friend? Always. +1s very welcome! 📸 instagram.com/frcmelbourne

Girl Founders Council - Focus Group - Founders and Builders Session 1
Sat, Jul 25, 12:00 AM**Location:** East Melbourne Library - Booked Private Meeting Room ([Local Studies Room](https://bookings.melbourne.vic.gov.au/bookings/asset/4a01e0fe-5b8f-44b0-9be1-b5dbe63194fb/Local-Studies-Room)) **Spots:** 8 maximum *This is the first one. Come help us figure out what it becomes.* The Founders Council is a weekly gathering for women in Melbourne's south-east who are building something — a business, a side project, a creative practice, an idea that keeps coming back. It is not just a networking event. It is not a workshop. It is a council — a small room of women who show up weekly (or help out the one-off joiners to the group) to give and receive honest input from people who are in the same season of building but might be doing it alone. You will meet other girls who are building something too, let's help each other out with whatever each of us is working on. Share your inputs and ideas. Because I believe we have so many skills and pieces of knowledge that can help the person next to you. This can be your accountability group come when you can, touch base and keep yourself accountable with what you planned to build. **Session 01 will run like this:** We will start with a quick round of names and what everyone is working on — thirty seconds each. Then the council opens. Anyone who wants to bring something gets fifteen minutes — a problem, a decision, a pitch to test, something they need honest eyes on. (You can also treat this as your accountability group where in your 15 minutes you can share what your plan is for this week. Then come again next week to check in and plan the next week) The group responds. Not with prescriptive advice. With real honest reactions from people who get it. We close with each person naming one thing they are doing before next week. That is it. That is the accountability. Then the last thirty minutes are open — coffee, conversation, the kind of talk that only happens when the room is right. **You do not have to share anything.** Come and contribute to the group. Listen. Give your perspective on someone else's problem. That seat is just as valuable as any other. **Who belongs here:** Women aged roughly 20 to 40 in Melbourne who are actively building something. Early stage, side hustle, just an idea — all welcome. The only thing that connects everyone in the room is that you are building and you want to be around others who are doing the same. **What to bring:** Yourself. Coffee. Optionally — one thing you are working on or stuck on that you would like the group's eyes on. **Spots are limited to 8.** Small by design. The council only works when the room is small enough for everyone to have the time to share and get the response. *This is a weekly event. Come once or come every week — no commitment required. The door is always open.* Started by Veronika — Building an app for couples, and someone who started this group because she needed it and could not find it.

AI Tech & Startup Night — Melbourne
Wed, Jul 29, 2:00 PM**Nomad Global Hub** brings together builders, founders, and tech professionals for a night of curated networking and high-impact startup pitches. With a track record of **235+ events** across **23 global cities** worldwide, we have welcomed over **5,000 attendees** and featured **1,200+ startup pitches** on our stages. We intentionally keep our meetups intimate because the best partnerships happen in focused, high-quality conversations, not in loud, overcrowded halls. **What to Expect** * **Live Tech Startup Pitches**: Watch selected early-stage founders present AI & Tech projects followed by sharp audience Q&A. * **High-Quality Networking:** Connect with a hand-picked audience of founders, investors, engineers, and tech leaders who value substance over small talk. * **Global Exposure:** Join a community that bridges **23 tech hubs worldwide**, providing you with a network that extends far beyond a single city. **Who Should Join** * Founders & Co-Founders looking for peers, feedback, investors and collaborators. * Tech Professionals & Builders seeking a high-quality community. * Ambitious Individuals ready to dive into the AI & Startup ecosystem. **For Investors** Active investors and VC partners are welcome to join the event and scout for early-stage talent, meet other investors, and see what teams are building. To access the startup database, please fill out the **[Investor Application Form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUkSdbmDb_tchKrZNf2A4c6HjrPLd87Ub3W-5WPfOgsszI9Q/viewform)** and ensure you have purchased a ticket. **For Pitching Startups** Selected startups gain live stage time and visibility within our global network among our database of investors. Purchase a Speaker Ticket to pitch, submit your **[Pitch Deck](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZ1fGVQ-br2hQQnSsq7zz5XCAEvN5FfaYfJ7VSppMkujV8YQ/viewform)** and ensure it is accessible for viewers. **Nomad Global Hub \| 235\+ Events \| 23 Cities** *Note: To support our venue partner, we kindly encourage every guest to purchase at least one drink at the bar during the event.*

FORGE Founders Walk & Coffee | Albert Park 5K
Fri, Jul 24, 11:00 PM**Good coffee. A 5k walk. Better company.** FORGE is a social club for founders and operators actively building real businesses - and this is our very first event. We’re meeting at **9am at Space Cafe on Fitzroy Street** to grab a coffee before heading out for a relaxed 5k walk around Albert Park Lake. Along the way, we’ll mix things up a few times so you get the chance to meet and chat with plenty of people, without the awkwardness of walking into a room and trying to “network”. After the walk, we’ll finish back at Space Cafe, where anyone who wants to can stick around for brunch. ***Who's it for?*** People who are **actively building and running businesses** and want to meet others who understand the highs, lows and occasional chaos that comes with it. You don’t need to be running a huge company. But you should be in the arena; building, operating and taking your business seriously. This probably *isn’t* the right event if you’re looking for a job, exploring your first business idea, or primarily hoping to pitch or sell your services. **Come to meet peers, not prospects.** ***What to expect*** ☕ Grab a coffee 🚶 A relaxed 5k walk around Albert Park Lake 👋 Plenty of opportunities to meet different founders and operators 🥐 Optional brunch afterwards 🚫 No pitches, panels, presentations or awkward networking Just good people, real businesses and conversations worth having. **Build boldly. Play fully.** See you there 👋

Where do you thrive? Your product fit across startup, scale-up & corporate
Thu, Aug 6, 7:30 AM**Where Do You Thrive?** *Finding your product fit across startup, scale-up and corporate* Managing a product at a 10-person startup looks markedly different to managing one at a scale up or established corporate. While the title is identical, the day-to-day job requirements, the influence, the pace, and the path forward have key differences. So how do you know where you thrive most? Join Product Women Melbourne for a panel conversation with product leaders who've built careers across startups, scale-ups and corporates. We'll explore: · What actually changes about the role at each stage — and what stays the same · The trade-offs nobody tells you about (autonomy vs. resources, speed vs. structure, ambiguity vs. process) · How to know if you're in the right environment for where you are in your career · What it's really like to move between stages — and what surprised our panellists most **Panellists:** [Anna Kelk,](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-kelk-743587a7/) Chief Product Officer, Splose [Kelly Nguyen](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellynnguyen/), Senior Product Manager APAC, Heidi [Teresa Huang](https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresajhuang/), Head of Product Bupa Whether you're considering your next career move, curious about a different kind of company, or just want to know if the grass really is greener in a different setting, this session is for you. Expect honest conversation and insights and time to connect with the Product Women Melbourne community afterwards. **Venue**: Preacta, 260 Collins Street, Melbourne (Melbourne CBD) **Date:** 06 August 2026 **Time:** 5:30-7:30pm Kindly sponsored by Preacta: Talent Acquisition Solutions and Recruitment
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