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19 November 2024

Every company needs to think about the speed of change and where-to next.

The Forbes Australia Business Summit brings together some of Australia’s brightest entrepreneurs, influential investors and executives to exchange ideas that foster innovation and growth.

  • Learn what it takes to scale to a multi-billion dollar empire – from those who have done it
  • Hear the strategies corporate CEOs rely on to radically transform outcomes
  • Discover where the next billion-dollar idea could be
  • Look into the future with the first ever Forbes Australia 30 Under 30 panel

What to Expect

Fresh Ideas

Learn from the founders and leaders who are shaping the future. Bring fresh, entrepreneurial thinking back into your business.

Future-proof Strategies

Discover where companies are investing and the technologies they are leveraging to stay ahead. Learn how the Under 30s are redefining brand connection.

Unmatched Networking

Connect with decision-makers across various industries. Forge relationships beyond the event, sparking new ideas and collaborations.

Who Should Attend

Entrepreneurs

Corporate Executives

Venture Capital Investors

Startups

Side Hustlers

2024 Speakers


Fireside Chats: Fresh ideas and billion-dollar vision

Peter Freedman shares the extraordinary approach that has made RØDE microphones a global name.
Lorna Jane on how she scaled her business, navigated a $20 million buyback and is still thriving 35 years on.
JUST ANNOUNCED Anthony Eisen, co-founder of Afterpay will share how he navigated the company’s growth to one of the largest takeovers in this country – Afterpay’s acquisition at $39 billion value.
Jennifer Child, CEO of Oroton on the lessons and strategies she is using to radically transform a century-old brand.

Peter Freedman AM
Founder & Chair
RØDE & The Freedman Group

Bio

Peter Freedman AM is the Founder and Chairman of RØDE and The Freedman Group.

An entrepreneur, philanthropist and passionate ambassador for Australian manufacturing excellence, he has won dozens of product and export awards, including Ernst & Young’s Australian Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014, as well as Australia’s highest national honour, the Order of Australia (denoted by AM) in 2016.

Established in 1991 as a brand under Freedman Electronics – the sound installation company started by his parents in 1967 – Peter has grown RØDE into the world’s leading creator technology brand. RØDE’s microphones and audio products are the number one in a range of categories, including content creation, podcasting, studio recording and broadcast.

Today, RØDE is a global company with offices across the world, including the US, UK, Germany, China and Japan. Its headquarters are in Sydney, Australia, where it designs and manufactures its products, exporting to 118 countries globally.

Peter established The Freedman Group as a parent company to RØDE, which has since acquired several legendary audio companies, including APHEX, SoundField, EVENT and, most recently, iconic American pro audio brand Mackie. 

Lorna Jane Clarkson
Founder
Lorna Jane

Bio

Lorna Jane Clarkson is an iconic Australian entrepreneur, fashion designer, author and well-regarded advocate for women’s health and wellbeing. 

Credited for creating the Activewear category as we know it today, Lorna has spent three decades learning, evolving, listening and leading the way in product design and the normalisation of wearing activewear everywhere. 

“I started designing activewear because I wanted to change the way women lived their lives, and I’ve seen first hand how the simple act of putting your activewear on in the morning can change how you live your day, your week and ultimately your life” 

She has an Instagram audience of over 256,000 and is the author of 6 amazing books, which include 2 recipe cookbooks ‘Nourish – The Fit Woman’s Secret’ and ‘Eat Good Food’. Lorna’s philosophy is that being fit and healthy doesn’t have to be hard work or time consuming – just a daily commitment to Active Living and yourself.  

Anthony Eisen
Co – Founder
Afterpay

Bio

Anthony Eisen is the Co-founder of Afterpay, a leading ‘buy now, pay later’ provider, which he launched in 2014 with Nick Molnar and listed on the ASX in May 2016.

In 2022, Afterpay was acquired by Block in an all-stock transaction valued at $39 billion, making it one of the largest takeovers in Australian history.

Before co-founding Afterpay, Anthony was the Chief Investment Officer at Guinness Peat Group (GPG), where he managed investments in financial services, software, and technology companies where GPG held major stakes. Earlier in his career, Anthony worked in investment banking, specialising in mergers and acquisitions in both Australia and the United States.

With over 25 years of experience in investment, corporate leadership, public company directorships, and corporate advisory, Anthony is regarded as one of Australia’s leading tech entrepreneurs.

Jennifer Child
CEO
Oroton

Bio

Jenny joined Oroton as Chief Executive Officer in October 2021. She brings extensive global
experience working with high profile consumer retail brands, following 15 years at McKinsey
& Co.

In her role as partner at McKinsey & Co, Jenny led the firm’s consumer and retail work across
Australia and New Zealand, working with CEOs and industry leaders to grow their business
through customer-centricity, agile working and reshaping culture.


She is passionate about driving retail transformations, understanding emerging trends in
consumer behaviour in today’s disruptive world, and the use of data and technology to
accelerate business growth.


Jenny holds a Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University, Illinois and a Master of Business
Administration from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, North Carolina.

 

Generation Next: Forbes Australia’s 30 Under 30

Everyone wants to know what makes Gen Z tick. Get exclusive access to a panel of the brightest stars from our recent 30 Under 30 list. They discuss their bold predictions for the future of business and how they are connecting with brands.

Grace Brown
CEO & Co-founder
Andromeda Robotics

Bio

24-year-old mechatronics engineer Grace Brown has been building robots since she was just 15. But her hobby became a business in 2022 when she launched Andromeda Robotics with a view to deploying the first empathetic robotic throughout nursing homes in Australia: Abi. 

 

Two years later, Andromeda secured more than $3 million in funding after its seed round in June 2024, led by Purpose Ventures. 

A success story today, companion robot Abi was initially a passion project Brown herself worked on to withstand the emotional impact of the COVID pandemic. 

Brown began building a prototype for Abi, with a personality inspired by the Disney characters she knew and loved. The activity kept her busy throughout the pandemic, but Brown soon realised Abi could solve a different pandemic: loneliness. Over the next year, Brown reached out to 40 nursing homes around Melbourne to validate her theory and, after receiving positive feedback, applied for Startmate’s 2022 intake. 

As part of that, Andromeda Robotics banked $120,000 in funding and then a further $500,000 from Galileo Ventures. Brown then applied for an accelerator program in the United States hosted by Amazon and Mass Robotics – and in came another $500,000 from an angel investor. 

All the while, Brown’s parents assumed she was finishing her master’s degree in mechatronics engineering at Melbourne University. 

They’re in the know now and support Brown’s career – especially since Andromeda has a warehouse, an office, a team of 15 and just ticked over $100,000 in revenue. And crucially, a pipeline of customers for Abi, the friendly, purple-and-orange, 5-foot-tall robot. 

 

Ariarne Titmus
Olympic champion and media influencer

Bio

Ariarne Elizabeth Titmus OAM is an Australian swimmer. She is the reigning Olympic champion in the women’s 400-metre freestyle, having won the event at the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2024 Summer Olympics and the world record holder in the long course 200-metre freestyle and 400-metre freestyle events.

 

Dylan Coyne
Co-founder
Updoc

Bio

Computer science whiz Dylan Coyne sparked up an idea for a telehealth platform in 2021 when he realised working a 9-5 didn’t leave you with much time to see a doctor. Three years later, Updoc, the company he co-founded with Clifton Hodgkinson, has served more than 200,000 customers to date and banked $20 million in funding.

 

 

Hamish McKay
Co-founder
Order Editing

Bio

Before founding Order Editing, Hamish was the head of customer experience for an eCommerce group that ran full-suite merchandising campaigns for the world’s biggest YouTubers. With clients like MrBeast, Valkyrae, and TommyInnit, the company did $40 GMV on Shopify Plus in just it’s second year of operation.

 

Venture Capital Panel: The Next Billion-Dollar Idea

Future-proof your strategy with insights from our panel of top VC players. Learn where the smart money is moving, the emerging sectors poised to thrive, and insider tips on positioning your business for VC backing in 2025’s evolving investment landscape.

Craig Blair
Co-founder & Partner
Airtree Ventures

Bio

Craig Blair is the Co-founder and Partner at Airtree, a leading venture capital firm backing Aussie and Kiwi founders building the iconic technology companies of tomorrow. With $1.3bn funds under management, Craig has led investments in Canva, Pet Circle, Go1 and Employment Hero, which have delivered 100x returns to investors. Before Airtree, Craig was a Partner at Netus, a venture fund that delivered top-decile returns to investors.

Prior to his VC career, he was a founder of several startups including Travelselect, Beamly Australia and founding chairman of Pet Circle. Craig holds a Bachelor of Engineering from University of Sydney, and an MBA from INSEAD, France. 

Outside of Airtree, Craig is an active philanthropist through the Blair Caffrey Foundation which supports indigenous, women’s and humanitarian causes and the arts.  

 

 

Vidit Agarwal
Founder & CEO
Curiosity Center

Bio

Vidit Agarwal is an Entrepreneur and Venture Capital investor focused on technology and climate solutions. 

He is Founder & CEO of Curiosity Center, a professional services firm and on-demand intelligence hub that’s elevanted 200,000+ investors, founders, corporate executives, and emerging leaders, since inception in 2020. One of their flagship products is the global top ten ranked – The High Flyers Podcast – with 180+ episodes to date that Vidit hosts. Thei commercial partners include globally renowned companies such as KPMG, Camva, and Herbert Smith Freehills amongst others. 

Vidit is a Founding member and Investor at FB10x, One of Four Entrepreneurs-in-Residence for a Global Growth Program, Judge for Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Award, Advisor to SXSW, and Board Member at StreetSmart. 

He has previously scaled a startup from $4M to $40M in revenue and managed portfolios up to $300M in leading companies including Coles, Procter & Gamble and Nestle in Commercial, Growth, Marketing, Supply Chain and Operations. He has also been made  redundant twice that provided learnings and opened unexpected doors. 

Tennis has always been Vidit’s first love, and he is a proud finisher of the Melbourne Full Marathan (42 kms) which he ran with his best friends. 

 

Kyah Bell
Co-founder
Black Excellence Fund

Bio

Kyah Bell is a multifaceted leader and a passionate advocate for Indigenous representation in the global market. A proud Wulgurukaba, Bindal, and Juru woman with direct ties to the Cherbourg mission, she has seamlessly navigated the complexities of capital markets with a focus on digital health, wellness, and agriculture. 

Over the past six years, Kyah’s career has taken her across multiple continents, including significant tenures in Los Angeles, London, Dubai, and Miami. Her journey in venture capital began at an LA-based wellness fund specialising in consumer packaged goods, where she played a key role in investing in some of America’s largest brands. 

Following this, Kyah spearheaded the creation of a global investment vehicle in the medicinal cannabis space, raising $12 million and making strategic investments across the US, Ireland, and Australia. Notably, she led an Australian group to a major success, developing a pioneering tech platform for digital prescriptions, establishing a distribution arm, and executing a merger with an ASX-listed company, which saw revenues soar from $20M to $206M. 

In parallel, Kyah operated a creative and marketing agency that became a cornerstone for social impact products and services, contributing significantly to her longstanding connection to the Indigenous Defence & Infrastructure Consortium (iDiC) and other impactful collaborations. 

Kyah’s strategic acumen is further highlighted by her leadership in founding the Black Excellence Fund, securing $8.6M to support Indigenous entrepreneurs and overcoming barriers that often hinder Indigenous business growth. She also serves on the HSBC Indigenous Advisory Board and is a member of WinVC, driving initiatives that promote greater Indigenous involvement in venture capital. 

Bede Moore
Chief Commercial Officer
Antler

Bio

Bede Moore is the Chief Commercial Officer at Antler, the most active early-stage investor globally, and founding partner of Antler in Australia. Present in 27 cities across most leading technology ecosystems across six continents, Antler has made over 1,300 investments into early-stage startups.

Bede was the Co-founder and Managing Director of Indonesia’s largest eCommerce site, Lazada, which was acquired by Alibaba in 2017 for USD3.5 billion. He has also been the General Manager of Australasia for Student.com, the world’s largest online marketplace for student accommodation and one of WIRED Magazine’s Top 100 European start-ups in 2016. He also co-founded Paraplou Group from 2012 to 2015, an online fashion group in Indonesia. Bede was also the CEO of Sydney’s peak technology industry body, TechSydney, leading a combination of government advocacy and programs designed to support the local ecosystem.

Bede holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard and a Masters of Philosophy in History (Hons) at Leiden University in the Netherlands as a VOC Foundation Scholar.

 

 

Leadership in 2025

Gain critical insights from top CEOs who are navigating today’s hybrid workforces, AI-driven transformation, financial uncertainty, and the complexities of growth in a dynamic environment.

Livia Wang
Founder
Access Corporate Group & Wellness Adventures

Bio

Livia Wang, often called the wellness industry’s treasure hunter, is a plant-based visionary and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience building wellness and beauty brands. As the founder of Access Corporate Group and Wellness Adventures, Livia has successfully launched Australian and New Zealand brands into global markets, reaching over 10 million consumers. Her focus is on incubating pioneering brands that blend cutting-edge science with wellness, setting new standards and promoting healthier lifestyle choices.

Livia’s mission is to accelerate wellness outcomes globally by bridging the gap between science and society. With more than 50 brand success stories, she is dedicated to improving the well-being of people everywhere, empowering them to take control of their health and transform their lives through sustainable wellness practices.

A disruptive force in the wellness industry, Livia is reimagining health and beauty, not just by introducing new products but by reshaping outdated norms. She is passionate about delivering innovative, accessible wellness solutions for all.

Melinda Petrunoff
Country Manager, Australia & New Zealand
Pinterest

Bio

Melinda Petrunoff is the Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand at Pinterest. Based in Sydney, Melinda’s responsibilities include building and managing the team to increase advertising growth in Australia and New Zealand, supporting relationships with brands, and ensuring Pinterest is the best possible localized experience for people using the platform across these countries. 

Melinda has more than 20 years of leadership, sales, marketing and operations experience building successful digital businesses across Asia and the Pacific. Prior to Pinterest, Melinda spent more than eight years helping to grow Facebook’s APAC business in a variety of leadership roles, including Director of Scaled for Australia and New Zealand, supporting the growth of small to medium businesses. 

Before joining Facebook in 2013, Melinda worked for Fairfax Digital (now Nine) in several executive roles where she was responsible for building audiences and commercialising their digital businesses including Domain. 

Melinda is passionate about building successful teams and developing talent. Since 2015, she has volunteered as a board member of OzHarvest where she is currently responsible for leading the strategy committee.

Chris Andrews
CEO
La Trobe Financial

Bio

Chris Andrews is Chief Executive Officer of La Trobe Financial and has over 20 years’ experience in Corporate Australia. 

He holds a bachelor’s degrees in law (with honours) and Commerce. He spent the first part of his career in law and joined La Trobe Financial from one of Australia’s leading commercial law firms as senior legal counsel in 2006. 

In 2009, Chris moved into the position first of Head of Funds Management and later Chief Investment Officer.  From 2009 until his appointment as CEO in 2022, Chris was at the helm of the Asset Management business for La Trobe Financial, the fastest and largest growing fund of its type in Australian corporate history. 

As CEO, Chris brings sharp focus to customer service, business performance, capital management, technology uplift, risk management and people and culture. 

Chris is one of the youngest CEOs in the Banking & Financial Services Industry in Australia. 

Kimberley Marlay
Director of Strategic Partnerships, Kyndryl Australia & New Zealand

Bio

Kimberley Marlay is a strategic leader with over 20 years of experience in marketing, sales, technology, alliances, and industry. As the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Alliances at Kyndryl Australia and New Zealand., she has led transformative initiatives across various sectors, enhancing customer experiences and driving organisational growth. 

Kimberley has a deep understanding of market dynamics, emerging trends, and strategic alignment. Her expertise in global, regional, and local markets allows her to effectively anticipate and address market needs. Her leadership has been key in shaping Kyndryl’s global strategy, promoting sustainable growth and innovation by aligning Kyndryl capability with market opportunity.

Kimberley serves as the Executive Sponsor for Sustainability and Reconciliation Ambassador for Kyndryl A/NZ. She has integrated sustainability into Kyndryl’s core strategy, fostering a culture of social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

Cody Simpson
Athlete and Performing Artist

Bio

Australian born, Cody Simpson is a true multi hyphenate; guitarist, singer, songwriter, performing artist, published poet, children’s book author, theatrical star, environmental activist, and athlete.

As a pre-teen, Cody Simpson began to record songs in his bedroom and post them on YouTube, these clips quickly garnered millions of views and led him to a deal with Atlantic Records which he signed in New York City on his 13th birthday.

Cody was one of four key talent in the Amazon Prime Original, Head Above Water. The docuseries chronicles Cody’s return to the pool along with the incredible pressure both in and out of the pool. The series highlights Cody’s determination to succeed in the sport through personal sacrifice, grueling training sessions and battle the preconceived notions of Cody’s music career.

Zara McDonald & Michelle Andrews
Co-founders
Shameless Media

Bio

Melbourne-based journalists Zara McDonald and Michelle Andrews started Shameless Media in 2018 (on a bedroom floor) to fill a gap in celebrity news and reality TV podcasts. Initially a side-hustle, the duo turned their podcast into a fully-fledged media company with 15 staff. Their podcasts boast 100 million downloads, they have 1.3 million social followers across their channels and 110,000 newsletter subscribers. 

 

Jim Freeman
CTO
Kyndryl Australia & New Zealand

Bio

Jim Freeman is Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Kyndryl Australia and New Zealand. He has been instrumental in designing Kyndryl’s technology practices and establishing capabilities, partnerships, consulting models and market presence, and is currently a technology evangelist for customer facing engagements. Jim is a passionate Diversity Champion for the LGBTQ+ Kyndryl Inclusion Network. 

Prior to Kyndryl’s establishment, Jim held the role of CTO for IBM Global Technology Services in Asia-Pacific, where he worked closely with customers to design their journey to cloud. Throughout his career he has held a number of technology and leadership positions at IBM in the United States and subsequently Australia, where he has managed the IT infrastructure of some of the world’s biggest organisations. 

 

Sarah Liu
Founder & Managing Director
TDC

Bio

Born in Taiwan, raised in New Zealand, studied in Japan and built her career in Australia, Sarah is a
true global citizen with deep market knowledge, business networks and commercial understanding of
the APAC market.

Sarah had been awarded one of the Most Influential Asian-Australian in 2019, nominated as 100 most
influential women in Australia and shortlisted as the Top Exporter in Australia by NSW Premier &
Cabinet in 2020. She represented Australia in the G20 Young Entrepreneur Alliance for 3 consecutive
years to share expertise on the future of work and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) best practice on
a global scale.

Her thought leadership in the DEI space, in particular women in technology, has led her to present at
global platforms such as UN Women and Women in Tech Global Summit. She is also appointed as part
of the Special Taskforce for Global Australia by the federal government to attract diverse talent into
Australia.

 

Moderated by:

Felicity McVay
Event Host

Bio

Felicity has spent her career in tech and entertainment, leading teams at organisations like Google, YouTube, and most recently as Global Head of Entertainment at TikTok. 

Felicity now consults on media strategy and is producing her first feature film. 

 

Sarah O’Carroll
Editor-in-Chief
Forbes Australia

Bio

 

Samuel Hussey
Head of News & Life
Forbes Australia

Bio

 

Mark Whittaker
Senior Features Writer
Forbes Australia

Bio

Mark Whittaker is a Walkley award-winning feature writer with 38 years’ experience in the media. 

He’s written numerous books, tried his hands at a couple of small businesses and delivered lambs and calves with his bare hands. 

 


Choose Your Experience

19 November 2024, 9am – 5pm AEDT
Hyatt Regency, Sydney


Agenda


8:00 AM

9:00 AM

Lorna Jane Clarkson, the entrepreneur behind the iconic activewear brand, on how she scaled her business amidst skyrocketing industry growth, navigated a $20 million buyback in 2020, and stayed at the forefront of a market that is booming. With 35 years in business, Lorna shares her insights on resilience, innovation, and how to succeed in the new world of retail.  

Lorna Jane Clarkson, Founder, Lorna Jane

Every company needs to think about the speed of change and where-to next. Tap into the experience of top CEOs and their strategies to lead through challenges and inspire innovation.

  • Learn how to steer your organization through high interest rates and economic fluctuations
  • Understand how to adapt leadership strategies to a workforce increasingly powered by AI and remote work
  • Explore how global political shifts will influence business strategies and decision-making

Melinda Petrunoff
Country Manager, Australia & New Zealand
Pinterest

Livia Wang
Founder
Access Corporate Group & Wellness Adventures

Chris Andrews
CEO
La Trobe Financial

Kimberley Marlay
Director of Strategic Partnerships, Kyndryl

A quick overview of seven key technology trends impacting business and personal success, providing essential insights to keep you competitive and prepared for the future.

Jim Freeman, CTO, Kyndryl

10:45 AM

11:15 AM

Peter Freedman didn’t just build a company, he created a billion-dollar global empire. In this chat, Peter will reveal the pivotal moments of innovation that shifted his trajectory, how he scaled from 500 units to 6 million, and more hard-earned insights every leader needs to play at the highest level.

Peter Freedman AM, Founder & Chair
RØDE & The Freedman Group

Explore the future of investment with a panel of top venture capitalists.

  • Discover which sectors are set to produce the next generation of billion-dollar companies
  • Learn what VCs are looking for and how to position your startup to secure investment
  • Gain a clear view of upcoming trends and opportunities in the funding landscape for 2025

Kyah Bell
Co-founder
Black Excellence Fund

Craig Blair
Co-founder & Partner
Airtree Ventures

Bede Moore
Chief Commercial Officer, Antler

12:30 AM

2:00 PM

Hear from Jennifer Child as she reflects on her experiences at Oroton. In this session, the former consultant-now CEO will share insights on lessons learned and the strategies used to radically transform a century-old brand.

Jennifer Child, CEO, Oroton

Hot off the press, Forbes has captured an exclusive interview with Harry Triguboff, founder of Meriton and one of Australia’s most influential property moguls.

In this rare feature, filmed only days before the Summit, Harry shares his journey, insights, and the principles that have guided his rise and shaped an entire industry. You will be first to see this interview with a true icon.

Harry Triguboff, Founder, Meriton

Meet Australia’s brightest young innovators across tech, media, and sport and hear their bold predictions for the future of business.

  • How they’ve identified and seized on emerging market trends
  • Insights into harnessing social media and AI
  • How they are connecting with brands in today’s attention economy.

Grace Brown
CEO & Co-founder, Andromeda Robotics

Hamish McKay
Co-founder of Order Editing

Ariarne Titmus
Olympic champion

Dylan Coyne
Co-founder of Updoc

4:00 PM

Gain insights into the mental strategies that drive top athletes and leaders. This session will explore how to cultivate a winning mindset and balance performance with mental health to achieve sustained success.

Cody Simpson
Athlete and Performing Artist

Regarded as one of Australia’s leading tech entrepreneurs, Anthony sits down in an intimate chat with Sarah O’Carroll. Hear how he navigated Afterpay’s growth to one of the largest takeovers in this country – their 2022 acquisition at $39 billion value. And what he believes is the secret to building a successful, customer-centric company.

Anthony Eisen
Co-Founder, Afterpay

4:30 PM


$7.7b+*

Total speaker brand valuation

17.1m+

Total speaker social media followers

15+

Australia’s most influential founders

8hr+

To connect with likeminded leaders

Location

Hyatt Regency, Sydney
161 Sussex St, Sydney NSW 2000

Get directions

Preferred Hotel Partner


Presenting partner

Platinum partner

FAQ

How & when will I receive my live event ticket?
You will receive your live event ticket via email upon confirming registration details of attendee/s. You should receive your tax invoice via email upon completing your purchase.
Is this event live or virtual?
The Forbes Australia Business Summit is a live, in-person event hosted at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney. Please note the Business Summit will not be streamed virtually. 
What do I need to bring to gain entry to the event?
Please bring along your pre-purchased ticket along with photo identification.
Can I purchase a ticket on the day/at the venue? 
Yes, tickets will be able to be purchased on the day of the event, if ticket allocations have not already been exhausted. You can purchase tickets online or speak to a Forbes member at the venue.
Is there a group booking discount available?
Yes, a group discount of 15% is available upon purchasing 5+tickets in one transaction. For additional information please email events@forbes.com.au.
Am I able to alter the attendees name?
Only the purchaser of the ticket(s) can alter an attendees name up until 11.59pm (AEDT) on the 17th of November 2024. This can be done by the purchaser by clicking on the modify registration button on you confirmation email.
Venue
Any questions regarding the venue – public transport, parking, health & safety, prohibited items and disabled access please visit the venue website – Hyatt Regency
Is there a dress code?
The dress code is smart casual. Any inappropriately dressed attendee may be refused access to the Forbes Australia Business Summit.
Event terms and conditions
Click here for the terms and conditions for the Forbes Australia Business Summit.

Past Event Speakers


Carol Schwartz
Founder
Women’s Leadership Institute Au

Bio

Christine Holgate
Group CEO 
Team Global Express

Bio

Appointed the new Group CEO at Team Global Express, Christine is also the Co-Chair for the (Federal) Ministerial Advisory for Trade & is the Director of Collingwood Football Club.   

Dr. Sam Prince
Executive Chairman and Founder
Prince Group

Bio

Dr. Prince is the Executive Chairman and Founder of the Prince Group, a portfolio of businesses spanning a diverse range of sectors, including, health (Non- for-profit – One Disease), technology (Next Practice, Zapid Hire), hospitality (Zambrero, Sam Prince Hospitality Group) and FMCG (Shine). 

Tim Gurner
Founder
Gurner Group

Bio

Luke Anear
Founder & CEO
SafetyCulture

Bio

Luke founded workplace safety software company SafetyCulture from his garage. Today, it’s used by more than 65,000 organisations worldwide.

Jessica Sepel
Founder & Director
JSHealth Vitamins

Bio

3 times best-selling author, Jess built JSHealth to provide high quality supplements to her community.

Erin Deering
Co-Founder
Triangl

Bio

Erin grew Triangl into a USD$200m company through a hunger for success and savvy social media use. One year alone saw a $50m revenue jump.

Tim Fung
Co-Founder & CEO
Airtasker

Bio

 From an idea to capital raising and global brand – Airtasker is a success story that empowers people and impacts the future of work on a global scale.

Kim Jackson
Founder
Skip Capital

Bio

Former investment banker and rock musician, Kim founded and runs Skip Capital. Skip invests in high-growth tech companies (incl. Canva, CultureAmp and SafetyCulture) as well as future-aware infrastructure projects.

Chris Eigeland
Co-Founder & CEO
Go1

Bio

Go1 is the largest online professional education provider in the world and recognised as one of the fastest growing companies in Australia. 

Rick Baker
Co-Founder
Blackbird Ventures

Bio

A VC firm focused on the best global tech startups in Australia and NZ. Rick has led the firm’s investments into companies such as Canva, Baraja SafetyCulture, and Gilmour Space.

Emma Weston
Co-Founder & CEO
AgriDigital

Bio

A multi-awarded platform, AgriDigital is leading the way in digitizing, connecting and securing global agricultural supply chains – from farmer to consumer.

Tammy Hembrow
Founder & CEO
Saski & TammyFit

Bio

With a social following of 15.4 million+ on Instagram and over 2m subscribers on YouTube & TikTok, Tammy’s success is driven by her honest and open approach to all her social channels.

Sue Fennessy
Founder & CEO
WeAre8

Bio

Sue has spent the last 30 years creating disruptive businesses in the digital economy across Asia, Europe and North America. Now, she’s taking on the tech giants with a new, sustainable social media platform, WeAre8.

Shaun Wilson
Co-Founder, CEO & MD
Bondi Sands

Bio

Bondi Sands was founded in 2012. With co-founder Shaun Wilson at the helm of the company’s global brand strategy, today it’s the number one self-tanning brand in the world.

Pippa Hallas
CEO
Ella Bache

Bio

Ella Bache has grown to be one of Australia’s most iconic skincare companies. Hallas is its third-generation owner and chief and knows all about perseverance and taking risks.

Naby Mariyam
Founder & CEO
Coverhero 

Bio

Key-note speaker and host of Hustlechat podcast, Naby Mariyam founded Coverhero in 2017 to focus on insurance services for Millenials and GenZ.

Elicia McDonald
Partner
AirTree

Bio

AirTree Ventures is one of the largest VC funds in Australia and has been an early investor in many breakout tech companies like Canva. McDonald is Partner at the firm, and has supported ambitious founders in the early stages of their journey.

Fred Schebesta
Founder
Finder

Bio

Schebesta is an entrepreneur, adviser and the founder of global fintech, Finder (now worth over half a billion dollars). He’s also known as The Crypto King of Australia and has recently launched a blockchain investment fund.

Dr Sarah Hunter
Senior Economist & Partner
KPMG

Bio

Joining KPMG in 2022, Dr Hunter is a senior economist and partner in the firm’s economics tax centre. She leads the firm’s economic advisory practice, and is currently helping businesses navigate the high inflation environment.


* Source: Total speaker brand valuation estimated based on latest publicly available data.