New tours showcase Sydney’s diverse startup scene

A day-long program of free events will give Sydneysiders an insider’s look at the city’s tech startup scene.

From a bus tour of some of Sydney’s most unusual co-working spa

ces, to a walking tour of Ultimo’s tech scene led by a virtual tour guide, the events provide an opportunity to meet the key players in one of Australia’s most exciting new sectors.

The insider events, supported by the City of Sydney, are run by UTS digital creative hub Piivot as

part of the Startup Week Sydney festival.

“This is a rare chance to look inside Sydney’s escalating tech startup scene,” the Lord Mayor said.

“This is for anyone who’s ever wondered what a tech startup is or dreamed of setting one up.”

“I hope these tours will inspire the entrepreneurs of tomorrow to set up and stay right here in Sydney.”

The startup economy2013 report by PricewaterhouseCoopers found the Australian tech startup sector could generate more than 500,000 jobs by 2033.

The ‘Get Onboard’ big red bus tour offers the chance to visit some of Sydney’s best-known co-working spaces, incubators and startup businesses.

One key stop on the tour is The Ventura, Sydney’s first co-working space designed specifically for female-led startups. On top of providing professional support and networking opportunities for the female entrepreneurs based there, The Ventura also

offers on-site yoga and provides a child friendly environment.

Dr Catriona Wallace said she is very excited to be opening The Ventura’s doors as part of the Piivot bus tour.

“The Ventura offers a sophisticated and nurturing environment that caters to the particular needs, challenges and ambitions of women entrepreneurs,” Dr Wallace said.

“We are looking forward to showing Sydneysiders that the city’s startup industry has spaces suited to everyone.

“Our co-working space targets women in emerging businesses and tech startups. The tour will be a great opportunity to showcase The Ventura to future co-workers.”

For those who prefer a more active tour, the ‘Made in Ultimo’ walking tour offers the opportunity to take in some of Australia’s leading creative industries and organisations and get fit at the same time.

Startup Muster’s 2014 survey found Ultimo had the fourth largest number of tech startups in Australia.

Led by Wunderwalk, a virtual tour guide, the afternoon tour will explore one of the city’s most creative and innovative villages.

Meanwhile, lunchtime seminar ‘The Startup Decoded’ will give attendees the inside scoop on key players, events and meetups to attend, and the hot issues affecting Sydney’s startups and would-be-entrepreneurs.

Kim Kraljevic of Piivot said the project was geared towards bringing new blood into the sector as well as celebrating the achievements of the local industry.

“There’s a lot of interest in Sydney’s tech startup community at the moment and these events will give Sydneysiders a great opportunity to come and see what it’s all about and meet the people involved,” Ms Kraljevic said.

“The events are really accessible and we’re hoping they’ll attract a new audience – and also give Sydney’s emerging tech startup founders the chance to come out from behind their laptops and meet each other.”