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Visiting entrepreneur program
Learn from global experts about the transformative technologies tackling the major challenges of our time.
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Visiting Entrepreneur Program 2022: It’s a wrap
In 2022 the Visiting Entrepreneur Program ran from 22 June to 1 July. Under the theme of ‘Future TBD’, we brought 11 global entrepreneurs together with the local ecosystem to deliver 17-inspiring events. The program of events questioned everything from a travel guide to decarbonisation, to the future possibilities of the metaverse and health game changers.
2022: Future T.B.D.
- City of Sydney VEP Launch Event - Future T.B.D: How is technology shaping a better future?
Keynote speaker Mary Spio, CeekVR founder and CEO, provided a fascinating insight on her journey from dreaming of space to becoming a space engineer and creating industry-changing technologies. Her address was followed by a panel discussion with high-profile international entrepreneurs Grace Sai, Tim Kentley Klay and Zareh Nalbandian. Topics included maintaining balance in the convergence of creativity and technology, the advent of next generation AI creating vehicles that teach themselves to drive, and the hope for a decarbonised future. - City of Sydney VEP Closing Event – What’s next in a Future T.B.D?
Visiting Entrepreneur Zareh Nalbandian, co-founder and CEO of Animal Logic, sat down with Holly Ransom, CEO of Emergent, to discuss his work, the cross intersection of where creative meets technical, and his vision for the future of the sector. The conversation covered topics ranging from the cyclical nature of the industry, leading with innovation, opportunities from emerging digital technologies, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and supporting the next generation of creatives. - VEP 2022 – Hear what the audience had to say about the VEP
- VEP 2022 – Interview with Visiting Entrepreneur Grace Sai
Grace Sai is the co-founder and CEO of Unravel Carbon, an enterprise software that helps companies track and reduce their carbon emissions. - VEP 2022 – Interview with Visiting Entrepreneur Stephen Scheeler
Stephen Scheeler is the former Facebook CEO for Australia and New Zealand, and CEO of revolutionary brain A.I. start up, Omniscient Neurotechnology. - VEP 2022 – Interview with Visiting Entrepreneur Tim Kentley Klay
Tim Kentley Klay is the founder of A.I. robotics company HYPR, and previously founded Zoox, an autonomous mobility company acquired by Amazon. - VEP 2022 – Interview with Visiting Entrepreneur Zareh Nalbandian
Zareh Nalbandian is the co-founder and CEO of creative digital studio Animal Logic. - VEP Partner Event by Grumpy Sailor – Is Australia missing the immersive experience revolution?
Why is Australia lagging the rest of the world when it comes to immersive experiences, and how do we create real change? - VEP Partner Event by Cicada Innovations – What if biotechnology could cure cancer?
Forty percent of us will develop cancer in our lifetime. What if we found and treated cancer early? How many lives could it save? How much burden would it take off our healthcare system? - VEP Partner Event by Sydney Quantum Academy – Quantum in space: will it conquer the final frontier?
Where are the opportunities for quantum technology and entrepreneurs? And what are the potential applications for these technologies back here on earth? - VEP Partner Event by Fishburners – How to lead meaningfully in these uncertain times?
How do we lead with meaning and purpose to ensure that we support our people whilst driving the innovation, teamwork, financial performance and cohesion we need to achieve a prosperous and sustainable future?
City Business team
The Visiting Entrepreneur Program is a series of free events where global and local experts explore the latest technological breakthroughs and innovations in a specific field.
Past themes covered the metaverse, synthetic biology and artificial intelligence, through to cybersecurity, decarbonisation and quantum technology.
A key component of our tech startups action plan, the program aims to foster a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, and raise awareness for Sydney’s tech startup ecosystem globally.
Conversations with global thinkers
Since launching in 2017, the program has presented more than 100 curated events for over 10,500 members of the local tech startup ecosystem with over 90 partner organisations.
The Visiting Entrepreneur Program is produced by the City of Sydney with partner organisations from the local startup ecosystem.
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Thank you to our event partners
The Visiting Entrepreneur Program is produced by the City of Sydney with partner organisations from the local startup ecosystem.
Past and current partners include:
Academy Xi, Airtree, Antler, Artesian, Atlassian, Asialink, Australian Computer Society, Blackbird Ventures, BlueChilli, Canva, Charles Sturt University, Cicada Grow Labs, Cicada Innovations, CollectiveHub, ConsenSys, Cryptonomics, Digital Creators, EduGrowth, EnergyLab, EY, Fishburners, Folklore Ventures, General Assembly, Greening Australia, Grumpy Sailor, HATCH: Taronga Accelerator Program, Haymarket HQ, Heads Over Heels, HiveMind, Hoist, IDX, Incubate, Innotribe, Innovation NSW, InnovationAus, Inspiring Rare Birds, International Towers, Investible, Julie Demsey, KPMG, LinkedIn Women, Macquarie University, Mirvac, NCIE, NSW Government, Prismatik, Q-CTRL, Ramen Life, Remarkable, Right Click Capital, SBE Australia, SheEO, SheStarts, Slingshot, Smart Company, South Eveleigh, Spark Festival, StartCon, StartSomeGood, Startup Daily, Startup Digest, StartupAus, Stone & Chalk, Sydney Knowledge Hub, Sydney Quantum Academy, Sydney Startup Hub, Sydney School of Entrepreneurship, Tank Stream Labs, Tech Crunch, Tech Ready Women, TechSydney, Textbook Ventures, The Grounds, The Studio, The Warren Centre, University of Sydney, University of Wollongong, Sydney Business School, UNSW Founders Programs, University of Technology Sydney, UTS Startups, Women in Innovation, Zambesi
