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"Australia's Most Loved Festival for Startups" - Startup Muster 2023 & 2024 →
"Best Startup Event Of The Year" - Startup Daily 2025 →

ABOUT US

BUILT BY FOUNDERS, FOR FOUNDERS AND EVERYONE WHO HELPS THEM RISE.

WE CURATE DEEPLY HUMAN EXPERIENCES

SOUTHSTART began as a small but ambitious gathering for connection in Australia’s growing innovation landscape. In 2018, it was reimagined by our Co-Directors Danielle Seymour and Craig Swann, who stepped in with a shared belief that innovation isn’t just about technology,  it’s about people.

FOUNDED IN 2013. BUILT HUMAN-FIRST FROM THE GROUND UP.

because progress starts with people.

What began with a handful of volunteers printing lanyards in a hotel room at 3AM has evolved into a small (but mighty) team known for transforming entire regions into living festivals of ideas, taking over wineries north and south, laneways, and local haunts like Golden Boy, Fugazzi, Peel St, Lake Breeze Winery, The Garden of Unearthly Delights and the National Wine Centre. No single festival or experience is the same. With each delivery, we fine tune our craft through deep reflection, listening and observation.

WE BUILD MEMORIES & CONNECTIONS

JUST LIKE THESE ONES:

“We added a couple of million to our capitalisation from the connections we made at SOUTHSTART"

Matt Pearson | Founder & CEO at Airspeeder

IN THE NEWS

WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND RESONANCE? 

SOUTHSTART

ARTICLE
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BEST IN TECH AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

STARTUP DAILY

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SA govt extends funding until 2028

INNOVATION AUS

ARTICLE
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will the real sxsw please stand up?

CAPITAL BRIEF

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LESSONS BEHIND DOM PYM'S SUCCESS

SMART COMPANY

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Meet Our Team

We're a small but mighty bunch

Amy
Marshall

Head of Communications

Base
Yates

Head of Partnerships

Tiff
Bond

Experience & Event Coordinator

Craig
Swann

Co-Director / Owner

Danielle Seymour

Co-Director / Owner

Want to Join Team Human?

We're always on the look out for interesting humans! If you'd like to roll up your sleeves, please reach out.
LET'S CHAT