Canberra Innovation Network

🚀 What are the next big ideas emerging from UNSW Canberra? Join us at First Wednesday Connect on 5 August and hear members of the UNSW Canberra community take the stage for the Pitch Blitz, sharing their ideas, innovations and ventures with Canberra's innovation ecosystem. 🤝 Connect with entrepreneurs, researchers, students and industry leaders. 💡 Discover the innovation and impact being driven from UNSW Canberra. 📅 Wednesday 5 August 🕔 5:00–6:30pm 📍 Verity Lane Market 🎟️ Free, registrations essential. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gMyaMCrW

🚀 Applications for the 2026 GRIFFIN Accelerator are NOW OPEN! 🚀 Are you building a high-growth startup? GRIFFIN Accelerator is back to take selected founders to the next level. Whether you’re seeking capital, battle-tested mentorship, or hands-on support to scale your business, this is where you need to be. Here is what you need to know before applying 👇 📅 Key Dates & Deadlines Applications Open: 1 June Applications Close: 5 August Screening & Shortlisting: 12-13 August Program Selection Pitch Day: 26 August (Pitch for a place in the cohort!) Program Kicks Off: 7 September Investment Decision Pitch Afternoon: 23 November ⏳ Program Structure & Commitment Length: Intensive 3-month program (September – November). Weekly Sessions: Monday afternoons featuring group accountability, workshops, and 1-on-1 mentor check-ins. Core Focus: Sharpening your business model, customer discovery, rapid sales, and investor readiness. Location: Partnered with the Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN) for workshops, co-working, and ecosystem connections. 💡 Why GRIFFIN? Unlike one-size-fits-all programs, GRIFFIN pairs you directly with experienced founders, investors, and operators. Proven Track Record: Over 80 companies backed, with $103M+ raised post-program and $464M+ in collective portfolio valuation. Real Capital: Syndicate funding model backed by experienced angel investors. Experienced Mentors who are either investors, Directors or founders in: Eway; Liquid Instrument; GPN Vaccines; Lumenary AI; Pinery Capital; MDR Security; Auraya; Significant; Uber; Tailored Accounts; Altina Drinks; AIE; BigWorld; Citadel Group; Instaclustr; Canberra Data Centre; Lava Blue; Hindmarsh; Think Place; Empress Capital. Standout Alumni: 🦄 Syenta: Advanced electronics 3D printing; Raised $37M with Blackbird & Investible. 🏗️ SignOnSite: Construction safety app that scaled across ANZ and was acquired by 1Breadcrumb. 🦷 Dentroid: Revolutionising dental robotics; recently raised $32M at a $265M valuation! Diversity & Support: Proudly backing 46% female founders and building long-lasting mentor-founder relationships. 🤝 Who is Behind GRIFFIN? Our Board of Director & Mentors: Tim Hirst (Director; BioTech / GPN Vaccines) Sylvia Tulloch (Director; Energy Tech pioneer) Harry Hoang OAM (Director; Tailored Accounts) Harold Dimpel (Director; mHITs Limited, Fintech/Telematics) Hannah Tran (Director; Tax & Governance) ...plus a network of 20+ expert mentors across Cyber, AI, Defence, VC, and Enterprise Tech! 📝 How & Where to Apply 👉 Apply / Learn More Here: https://lnkd.in/e9bvvznT 👉 Questions before applying? Reach out directly to the team at portfolios@griffinaccelerator.com.au or Shashank.Bokil@cbrin.com.au. Don't miss the deadline—get your application in by 5 August!! Tag a founder who needs to apply! 👇 #Startups #Accelerator #AngelInvesting #GRIFFINAccelerator #CBRIN #CanberraStartups #VentureCapital #StartupFunding

Our office may be closed, but the community doesn't stop. SME Breakfast and First Wednesday Connect are still on, just with a new location. Head to our events page for all the details and to see what else is coming up. >> https://lnkd.in/ez7J68hf

There's only a week left to register for the Solid Hackathon (14-16 July)! Encourage your friends to form a team and potentially win over $2,000 worth of prizes. We're also excited to share that all participants will receive $25 in Claude code credits. This event (co-hosted by the ANU Software Innovation Institute and the Canberra Innovation Network, with support from the Open Data Institute) is a safe space for all people who are interested in a world with better tech and data rights. Learn how to engineer ethical secure digital services and explore digital technologies that enable individuals and organisational users to own their data. Students, researchers and professionals are all welcome. Reserve your spot now: lnkd.in/gzufWChz

Help us shape this year's Innovation Showcase! We want to hear from you. What worked last year? Who should we have on stage? Drop your thoughts in the link below. It only takes a few minutes, and it goes a long way in building an event that reflects our whole community. >> https://lnkd.in/evZAwPkz

Carlos Aguilera's new book, Just Start Here, is designed to help charities and purpose-driven organisations take the first step with confidence.   Taking place this Friday at the Canberra Innovation Network, Carlos will host the official book launch and share practical insights on how organisations can begin exploring AI to increase impact, improve efficiency and unlock new opportunities.   Whether you're AI-curious or already exploring what's possible, this is a great opportunity to hear from someone helping purpose-driven organisations navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead.   Seats are limited. Register now: https://lnkd.in/gCVrDws8

Got an innovative idea? Head along to the Canberra Innovation Network’s (CBRIN) monthly networking gathering, First Wednesday Connect. Co-hosted in July by the ACT Government and CBRIN, this well-established event brings together founders, researchers, investors, students, and professionals from across Canberra’s innovation community to share ideas, build connections and foster collaboration. Since launching in 2015, First Wednesday Connect has: • delivered over 120 events • showcased more than 1,000 pitches • welcomed over 20,000 attendees • sparked countless collaborations across the ecosystem Whether you’re a regular or attending for the first time, join this upcoming event to connect with like-minded people helping shape Canberra’s future. 📅 Date: Wednesday, 1 July 2026 🕔 Time: 5pm to 6:30pm 📍 Location: 220 London Circuit, Canberra City 💲 Cost: Free (though registration is essential!) Register now: https://lnkd.in/etd9BkrA