Founder Groups Sydney

AI Tech & Startup Night — Sydney

**Nomad Global Hub** brings together builders, founders, and tech professionals for a night of curated networking and high-impact startup pitches. **Community Pass spots are limited — reserve yours before they're gone.** **RSVP: [Reserve your spot](https://luma.com/pntbm9fi)** 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.*

Improving Your Business with AI Agents (with Georges River Council)

**A free evening with Georges River Council, part of NSW Small Business Month** Join Georges River Council and Western Sydney Tech Innovators (WSTI) to see how AI agents can take on everyday tasks in your business. **You must reserve your spot** at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/improving-your-business-with-ai-agents-tickets-2002685750992 **On the night** * A panel on AI trends and how local businesses are using AI. * A live demonstration of AI agents and generative AI tools handling real business tasks. * Examples you can apply in your own business * Q&A with the panel * Time to meet other local business owners * Food and refreshments throughout the evening **Who it is for** Business owners and operators: whether you’ve been in business for years, are just getting started, or simply want to become better connected with the local business community, you’re welcome to join us. This session will help equip you with practical insights and real-world examples to help your business innovate and grow. **Getting there** See the details at the Eventbrite registration page. **Registration** Registration is through Georges River Council's Eventbrite page. More details and RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/improving-your-business-with-ai-agents-tickets-2002685750992

WONDERFUL THURSDAY DINNER WITH JENNI AT PENNO BOWLO

Data Driven or Data Distracted!

Our CCX Sydney October event features a very lively and topical panel discussion entitled Data Driven or Data Distracted We will be applying a $10.00 cover charge to cover Food and drinks and on this occasion will be kindly hosted by the ONSET https://theonset.com.au The Onset is a specialist recruitment business deeply connected to Australia’s design and technology ecosystem. They work with ambitious companies, brilliant industry experts and a wider group of specialists across data, AI, design and transformation through The Omnia Collective. About the session **How Product, Design & Engineering actually use evidence to make decisions** How much data do we really need to make better product decisions? And when does being “data-driven” start getting in the way of good product thinking? For this CCX Sydney session, we’re bringing together four practitioners from different corners of the product ecosystem — analytics, strategy and service design, UX/CX, and engineering — to explore the role data and evidence actually play in product development and delivery. Each speaker will have **15 minutes to make their own case** for — or against — being **DATA-DRIVEN OR DATA-DISTRACTED**. Rather than presenting a single view, they’ll challenge us to look at how research, analytics, customer insight, AI, product requirements engineering and data can influence the decisions we make — from defining the problem and creating the PRD through to designing, building and releasing the product. Our speakers bring four very different perspectives: **Olga Pasikova\, Senior Analytics Director; Rob Tot\, Strategy & Service Design Lead; Thomas Shillingford\, UX \| CX \| Strategy \| AI and Author; and David Berigny\, Forward Deployed Engineer\.** Each panel member will bring their own experience, provocations and examples to the question: **when does data help us make better decisions — and when does it simply give us more information to react to?** Then we turn up the heat. Following the four presentations, **Sophie Greenfield, Senior Product & AI Designer at CBA**, will lead a lively panel discussion, bringing the speakers together to challenge each other's perspectives and explore the tensions between data, evidence, intuition, customer understanding and design judgement. Because being data-driven sounds simple. **Knowing what data to trust, what it actually means, and when to ignore it is where things get interesting.** **About our Panel:** ### Olga Pasikova **Senior Analytics Director** Olga Pasikova is a Senior Analytics Director and experienced digital analytics specialist with more than a decade working across data, analytics and digital measurement. She brings a strong ability to translate complex analytics challenges into clear strategic direction, helping teams use data to understand behaviour, measure outcomes and make better-informed decisions. Olga is also an active member of Sydney’s data and analytics community. ### Rob Tot **Strategy & Service Design Lead** Rob Tot is a Strategy and Service Design Lead who works at the intersection of customer needs, business strategy and service innovation. His work brings together strategic thinking and human-centred design to help organisations navigate complex problems, uncover opportunities and turn insight into meaningful product and service outcomes. ### Thomas Shillingford **UX \| CX \| Strategy \| AI \| Author** Thomas Shillingford is a UX and CX strategist, designer, author and speaker with extensive experience across digital products and customer experiences. His career has included work spanning research, customer journeys, interaction design, usability, design strategy and large-scale digital transformation. More recently, Thomas has been exploring the impact of AI on design practice, including how AI is changing design systems, strategy and the role of human judgement. ### David Berigny **Forward Deployed Engineer** David Berigny is a Forward Deployed Engineer working at the intersection of technology, product development and real-world customer problems. His role brings engineering directly into the product development process — translating customer and business needs into practical technical solutions, testing ideas in the field and using evidence from real-world implementation to inform what gets built and how it evolves. ### Sophie Greenfield FACILITATOR **Senior Product Designer & Facilitator** Sophie Greenfield is a Senior Product Designer at Commonwealth Bank with more than 20 years’ experience across UX, product design, research and digital strategy. Her career has spanned product strategy, customer research and experience design across organisations including CommBank, Westpac and ING Direct. Sophie has a particular interest in the intersection of **data, customer insight, product strategy and AI-enabled design**. She has been exploring and teaching AI-enabled design practices, from research synthesis and hypothesis validation to rapid prototyping and new ways of working for designers. For **DATA-DRIVEN OR DATA-DISTRACTED?**, Sophie will facilitate the conversation between our four speakers, challenging their perspectives and helping unpack the bigger question: **when does evidence genuinely improve product decisions — and when can data become a distraction from understanding the customer?** We are so excited to be wrapping up the year with this awesome panel discussion hosted by new friends of CCX Sydney, the ONSET. [https://theonset.com.au/](https://theonset.com.au/) Lastly make sure you Join us for sponsored drinks post the event at a nearby bar more details to follow. Regards Kevin, Lydia, Sylvia, James and Carolina.

Workplace Psychosocial Safety Lunch

Networking Lunch: Workplace Psychosocial Safety Beyond the Policy Your employee says they are struggling. How do you respond? Join WonderLab for a welcoming lunch with fellow managers, business owners, HR and WHS professionals. Connect over a meal, exchange experiences and explore how to put workplace psychosocial safety into everyday practice. Coming alone or joining us for the first time? You are very welcome. Our host will greet you, introduce you to others and help you settle in at a table with fellow attendees. You do not need to know anyone beforehand or be confident at networking. There is space to listen, ask questions and join the conversation at your own pace. If you feel a little nervous, you can message us before the event. We’re happy to help. What to expect \- Hear from WonderLab founder Rachel WingMan about turning workplace policies into practical action\. \- Practise responding when your employee raises a concern or says they are struggling\. \- Share ideas with people navigating similar workplace challenges\. \- Leave with new connections and practical tools to use with your team\. This lunch is for managers, founders, executives, HR, WHS and people and culture professionals who want to build healthier workplaces and feel more confident in everyday conversations. We want everyone to feel comfortable and respected. Please bring curiosity, respect for others and a willingness to listen. Our host is there to help throughout the event. The details: 📅 Friday, 23 October 2026 🕦 11:30am to 2:00pm 📍 WonderLab in the Sky, Level 18, 388 Lane Cove Road, Macquarie Park NSW 2113 🎟️ $49 per person, including lunch 👥 Limited to 30 attendees 🚗 Parking available at Veriu Macquarie Park Get to know us before you come Take a look at our past gatherings and get to know WonderLab before the day. 📸 Browse our event gallery: https://wonderlab.com.au/events/#gallery 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderlab.au/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WonderlabWellness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wonderlab-wellness/posts/? Come on your own or bring a colleague. We look forward to welcoming you. Book your place on the WonderLab event page: https://events.wonderlab.com.au/monthly-networking-lunch-workplace-psychosocial-safety/

WSTI Festi 2026: Opening Night

Western Sydney's first grassroots AI festival opens. Join the people leading AI for good, from global industry to our own community. WSTI Festi 2026: Opening Night Western Sydney's first grassroots AI festival opens here. Join founders, small business owners, government, AI industry and community leaders for the evening that kicks off three weeks of building, learning and celebrating the people leading AI for good in Western Sydney. Hear the global view from AI industry leaders, the local view from Parramatta's own changemakers, and how the two connect. Then be in the room as the Build with AI Innovation Challenge launches. How the night runs • 5:30 PM: Doors open, networking and light refreshments • 6:00 PM: Welcome, and the official opening of WSTI Festi by Hon Dr Andrew Charlton MP, Federal Member for Parramatta • 6:10 PM: Industry panel with AI industry leaders • 6:35 PM: Community panel with civic and community leaders from Parramatta • 7:00 PM: Launch of the Build with AI Innovation Challenge • 7:15 PM: Networking until 7:30 PM Join the challenge WSTI x City of Parramatta present the Build with AI Innovation Challenge: solve a real Parramatta challenge, or bring your own, and build it with AI. No coding background needed. Pick a Build Day at PHIVE or take part online. Register your interest here: https://wsti.org.au/initiatives/wsti-festi-2026#programme-events Getting there Jacks Cucina, Level 3, Parramatta Leagues Club, 1 Eels Place, Parramatta. Parking on site. Proudly supported by Investment NSW · City of Parramatta · Parramatta Leagues Club · Office of Hon Dr Andrew Charlton MP · Western Sydney Startup Hub powered by Spacecubed Part of WSTI Festi 2026, Western Sydney's first grassroots AI festival, 5 to 21 November in Parramatta. See more: https://wsti.org.au/wsti-festi Notice of Photography and Filming By entering this event, you acknowledge that photography, audio, and video recording may occur. Your attendance constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or recorded and to the release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction of such media for promotional purposes by Western Sydney Tech Innovators (WSTI). If you prefer not to be photographed or recorded, please inform a WSTI team member upon arrival. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Sydney Claude Community: From Beginners to Builders

Welcome to the Sydney Claude Community! Whether you are completely new to artificial intelligence or a seasoned developer looking to architect enterprise solutions, this meetup is your space to learn, share, and grow. AI is moving fast, and navigating it alone can be overwhelming. We’ve broadened the scope of this group to support everyone in our local community who wants to understand and leverage AI—specifically Anthropic’s Claude—no matter where you are on your journey. **What to Expect:** Grab a coffee and join us for relaxed, open discussions broken down into three main areas of focus: •⁠ ⁠The AI Explorers (Beginners): For those who don't know much about AI yet but are eager to explore, ask questions, and get hands-on experience in a welcoming environment. •⁠ ⁠The Professionals (Intermediate): For those who understand the basics of AI but want practical advice on how to implement it to help their teams, automate workflows, or support their companies. •⁠ ⁠The Builders (Advanced): For developers and consultants willing to dive deep, study AI architecture, and prepare for the official Anthropic certification exams. **Why Join Us?** As AI evolves, getting the right guidance is crucial. One of our co-organizers is an official Anthropic Partner and a newly Certified Claude Code Architect Professional. We are here to support the community, provide mentorship, share real-world use cases, and help you navigate the certification pathways. Come along to network, share your ideas, and learn how to make AI work for you! **About the Organizers & Partners** •⁠ ⁠Code Sydney (https://code.sydney/) •⁠ ⁠Community Partner: Seiment (https://seiment.com/)

WSTI Festi 2026: Build with AI Innovation Challenge x Google, Sat 7 Nov

**Overview** Solve a Parramatta city challenge or your own with AI. Build at Maker Space PHIVE with Google on Sat 7 Nov. Finalists pitch 20 Nov. **WSTI Festi 2026: Build with AI Innovation Challenge** Solve a real challenge with AI, set by City of Parramatta or one of your own, compete for prizes and pitch your solution on the festival stage. No coding background needed. If you can describe what you want to build, AI will help you build it. And we will help you gain the essential skills to use AI to achieve this. **How it works** The challenge launches at the WSTI Festi Opening Night on Thursday 5 November. Pick one of two tracks: * **City Challenge:** real-world challenges set by City of Parramatta and WSTI * **Open Innovation:** bring your own challenge, from your business, your industry or your community. Innovators, this is the place to build the idea you want to turn into a business Every team, in person or online, joins through the WSTI Festi hackathon portal, where the challenges are published and teams form. **One rule for both tracks: build from scratch.** Bring a problem or an idea, but not an existing project or product. Everything you submit must be built during the challenge, from 5 to 17 November. **Choose how you take part** * **Build Day, Sat 7 Nov, $25** (this page): at Maker Space PHIVE with Google. Antigravity sessions led by Brett Morgan, plus hands-on mentoring * **Build Day, Sat 14 Nov, $25** ([book here](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/wsti-festi-2026-build-with-ai-innovation-challenge-sat-14-nov-tickets-2002985253813)): at Maker Space PHIVE with WSTI mentors * **Online, $15** ([book here](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/wsti-festi-2026-build-with-ai-innovation-challenge-online-tickets-2002985256822)): build from anywhere. For people who live, work or study in the City of Parramatta LGA Both Build Days give you the same two tracks and a full day to build with mentors in the room. Come to one, or book both. **Every ticket dollar goes back into the challenge:** prizes for participants, event costs and our volunteers. **From launch to the big stage** * Thu 5 Nov: the challenge launches at the WSTI Festi Opening Night * Sat 7 or Sat 14 Nov: your Learn and Build Day at Maker Space PHIVE * Tue 17 Nov, 11:59 PM: submissions close. Submit a 90-second video pitch, a landing page and a working prototype * Thu 19 Nov, by noon: finalists announced * Fri 20 Nov: finalists pitch at the WSTI Festi Pitch Night * Sat 21 Nov: winners and finalists showcase to government, industry, business leaders, investors and local communities at the Grand Festival Day **Build Day run of the day, Sat 7 Nov** * Welcome and opening, Lailei Huang, WSTI * Google Antigravity and beginner vibe coding, Brett Morgan, Google * The two tracks: City Challenge and Open Innovation * Form or join your team on the hackathon portal * Build session 1 * Lunch break * Advanced vibe coding: creating agent skills in Antigravity, Brett Morgan, Google * Build session 2: practise and polish * Demo and feedback * What's next: submissions close Tue 17 Nov **What you get** * Hands-on time with Google Antigravity, from your first prompt to a working app * How to create agent skills, which automate the everyday tasks every business has * Mentoring from Brett Morgan and the WSTI team through both build sessions * Lunch on your Build Day (in person) * A real shot at prizes, a pitch on the festival stage and a showcase booth * Networking with Western Sydney's largest grassroots AI community, 4,000+ members strong **Who should come** You do not need a tech background. What you know about your field is the most valuable thing you can bring. * Business owners and professionals from any field, such as health, finance, education, property, trades or community services, who want the skills to create with AI * Founders and startups * University students, recent graduates and young people * Developers, designers and creatives curious about building with AI * Anyone who wants to go from "I have an idea" to "I built it" **What to bring** * A laptop (essential) * A Google account * Your own challenge for the Open Innovation track, or pick a City Challenge on the day * Joining online? A stable internet connection **With** WSTI · Investment NSW · Google · City of Parramatta · Western Sydney Startup Hub Part of WSTI Festi 2026, Western Sydney's first grassroots AI festival, 5 to 21 November in Parramatta. See more: [wsti.org.au/wsti-festi](https://wsti.org.au/wsti-festi) **Notice of Photography and Filming** By entering this event, you acknowledge that photography, audio, and video recording may occur. Your attendance constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or recorded and to the release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction of such media for promotional purposes by Western Sydney Tech Innovators (WSTI). If you prefer not to be photographed or recorded, please inform a WSTI team member upon arrival. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

We 🧡 LANE COVE Awesome Networking Meetup @ Longueville Hotel

We 🧡 LANE COVE is our legendary Neighborhood & Business Community. We aim to bring local residents, businesses and lovers of Lane Cove together to make new connections, new friends and build a strong supportive network. **[To learn more, join our Facebook Group here!](https://www.facebook.com/groups/welovelanecove)** #Greenwich #Northwood #Longueville #Riverview #LaneCove #HuntersHill #HuntleysCove #Henley #Gladesville #Putney #NorthRyde #BoroniaPark #EastRyde Our Networking Meetups are fun, social, and casual. A great opportunity to meet and catch up for lunch and more with great locals. This is FREE from us, and please make sure to purchase food and drinks to support our hosts at the Longy. Your guests are most welcome too! The more the merrier. This event is hosted by Lassie and Edward Zia. **[Learn more about our events & donate to support our community work here ❤️🤛](https://linktr.ee/edwardzia)**

Nutanix .NEXT on Tour Sydney - Run Anything Anywhere.

**Register [HERE](https://ksug.ai/ai-22oct26) =>** [https://ksug.ai/ai-22oct26](https://ksug.ai/ai-22oct26) **<=** **Latest promotions** discovered by our community! * **40% OFF** [Kubernetes](https://of2.ksug.ai) exams - *Code:* **30K8SUG** * **20% OFF** [FinOps](https://ksug.ai/finops/?ref=meetup) Certs Code: **KSAI_20** * Missed **75%** off [LF / CNCF](https://gk.ksug.ai)? [Get Notified](https://ksug.ai/signin) for next BIG drop! .**NEXT on Tour Sydney returns in 2026**—bringing IT leaders together to explore how a single platform can simplify everything from hybrid multi-cloud to enterprise AI and cloud-native applications. Connect with peers navigating modernisation and migration, and discover smarter, more efficient ways to run complex environments. Hear directly from Nutanix customers as they share how they’re successfully moving off legacy systems, supporting both traditional and modern applications on a unified platform, and building strong foundations for enterprise AI. Gain proven, real-world strategies that work at scale—and the confidence to move faster and lead what’s next. **Here’s what to expect:** \- Powerhouse keynotes from technologists and visionaries bringing fresh thinking and bold ideas \- Forward\-looking technical breakouts on the trends shaping modern IT \- Immersive product showcases to explore what’s possible \- Hands\-on learning led by Nutanix experts \- High\-impact networking with peers and industry leaders And more to come! Join us at .NEXT on Tour this October and take a front-row seat to the real stories, proven strategies, and innovations shaping modern IT—**secure your spot today!** **[Agenda and topics preview](https://event.nutanix.com/nextontoursydney2026)** **[Register here](https://ksug.ai/ai-22oct26) to secure your spot!** **Location:** [Sofitel Sydney Wentworth](https://maps.app.goo.gl/79Yd7yRRJ5NojbF68) 2/101 Phillip St, Sydney NSW 2000 We're actively seeking more awesome Cloud Native and AI topic speakers! 👉 [https://sessionize.com/ksug-au](https://sessionize.com/ksug-au) 👉 Join our [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/Rp9WzYyKua) and [WhatsApp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/D9a9IDiCS7U4cqQ0Sh60cz?mode=gi_t) for latest update! 🔖 𝐎𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬: ☸ 30% OFF **[Kubernetes](https://lf.ksug.ai/)** Certs - Code: **30K8SUG** ☸ 20% OFF **[FinOps](https://ksug.ai/finops)** Certs - Code: **KSAI_20** 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐖𝐞 𝐃𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬: ✅ Learn 𝐅𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 ⚡ ✅ Certify 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑 💰 ✅ Grow 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 💪 𝟐𝟓𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎+ follow **[KSUG.AI](https://ksug.ai/?ref=meet)** 🔥 [linktr.ee/ksug.ai](https://linktr.ee/ksug.ai) *By registering, you consent to the management of your personal information in accordance with KSUG.AI Meetup's [Privacy Policy](https://ksug.ai/privacy). Additionally, you agree that our sponsors may contact you.*

AI that ships: building and deploying intelligent apps on Databricks

AI is everywhere, but shipping AI that actually works - reliably, on real data, in a production app - is a different challenge. That's what this event is about. We've got talks on building and deploying intelligent apps on Databricks, a look at how AI fits into the modern data stack, and - because the best conversations in this group come from the room - time to discuss what people are actually building and where it gets hard. Vivanti Consulting are hosting us in their space, and there will be pizza and drinks. Come with a question, bring a war story, or just come curious. Speakers will be announced soon! We will be running our Open Round after the talks as well. **🧠 Open round** \- what are you actually stuck on? The part we keep hearing people come back for. We go around the room, collect the real problems people are wrestling with this quarter - migration pain, governance sprawl, streaming costs, a model nobody trusts, whatever it is - and put them to the group. Someone here has almost certainly solved your problem already. Bring one problem you'd genuinely like a second opinion on. No slides needed, no need to have it figured out. **Call for speakers** Want to talk at a future meetup? We're always after speakers — 10-minute lightning talks count, and first-timers are very welcome. Reach out via LinkedIn or message here.

We 🧡 RYDE Awesome Networking Meetup @ West Ryde Hotel

We 🧡 RYDE is our legendary Neighborhood & Business Community. We aim to bring local residents, businesses and lovers of Ryde together to make new connections, new friends and build a strong supportive network. **[To learn more, join our Facebook Group here!](https://www.facebook.com/groups/rydevoice)** #MacquriePark #Eastwood #WestRyde #Denistone #Meadowbank #Ryde Our Networking Meetups are fun, social, and casual. A great opportunity to meet and catch up for lunch and more with great locals. This is FREE from us, and please make sure to purchase food and drinks to support our hosts at West Ryde Hotel Your guests are most welcome too! The more the merrier. This event is hosted by Lassie & Edward Zia. **[Learn more about their events + support their work here! ❤️🤛](https://linktr.ee/edwardzia)**