3 March 2026 • The Joan, Penrith
Bringing women founders and industry leaders in Western Sydney together to shape Australia’s future in innovation, technology and sustainability.
Western Sydney is entering a new era of innovation, and it’s time to amplify the women founders leading the way.
Western Sydney Innovation Connect: Women x Industry Summit puts women founders at the centre of the conversation, showcasing world-class ideas, elevating emerging talent, and creating a powerful space to learn, connect and grow.
Hosted by Western Sydney Business Women in partnership with Entrepreneurial & Small Business Women Australia (ESBWA), and proudly sponsored by Investment NSW, this landmark event creates pathways and connections for women founders and entrepreneurs to lead industry change.
What to Expect
Designed for women founders and business owners at every stage, this event helps you strengthen your knowledge, refine your direction and build meaningful connections. For industry leaders and policymakers, it’s a chance to support women-led innovation and connect with more women-owned businesses in the lead-up to International Women’s Day.
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Understand the Opportunities That Matter
Join dynamic discussions with founders and industry experts to unpack sector challenges, emerging innovation gaps and where collaboration can accelerate your growth.
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Explore Funding & Commercial Pathways
Hear from experts on how to navigate government grants, pilot programs and commercialisation channels across key sectors.
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Connect With Decision-Makers
Meet founders, investors, corporates and policymakers in a relaxed, high-value networking environment built to spark conversations and collaboration.
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Discover Emerging Innovators
Be inspired by women founders, finalists from an open-call Innovation Pitch Sprint, as they share their bold ideas live.
Details
Date: 3 March 2026
Time: 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Networking from 12:30 pm
Location: The Joan, 597 High Street, Penrith NSW 2750
Tickets: $60 pp + booking fees (includes light refreshments)
Be part of the movement shaping the future of Western Sydney’s innovation economy.
Meet the Speakers
Meet the Innovation Pitch Sprint Finalists
Each of these women represents bold thinking, leadership and ambition, and they’ll be pitching their ideas live at the Western Sydney Innovation Connect: Women x Founders Summit.
They’ve embarked on an intensive program led by Nikki Meller (Founder of CREDuED & Co-Founder of Women in AI Australia), including online mentoring and a workshop with UNSW Founders, to refine their ideas, sharpen their pitches and step confidently into new opportunities.
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Gita Rahardjo
Founder & CEO, Red Blood Comic
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Augusta Chris-Umoren
Founder, AdecSafe
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Lotus Zhong
CEO and Founder, Beacon247
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Katherine Twyford
Co Founder, Chief Operations Director, Flood Prepared Australia
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Smriti Bangera
Founder & Director, Chloris Labs
Schedule
9am Registration Opens
9:30am Summit Commences
Opening Address
Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown OAM
Welcome
Amanda Rose, Founder and CEO of Entrepreneurial & Small Business Women Australia (ESBWA) and Western Sydney Women
Funding & Commercial Pathways Panel
Learn how to navigate government grants, pilot programs and commercialisation channels across key sectors.
Panel Facilitator: Tiziana Porreca, Founder & Director, AMONGST and Chief Community Officer, Entrepreneurial & Small Business Women Australia (ESBWA)
Amanda Rose, Founder and CEO of Entrepreneurial & Small Business Women Australia (ESBWA) and Western Sydney Women
Julie Mikhail, Managing Director of Engineering Business
Anna Lindsay, Co-founder & CEO, Rural Freight Connections
Infrastructure and Construction Sector Deep Dive Panel
Hear from industry leaders on the future of the infrastructure and construction sector, with a focus on emerging opportunities, innovation, and pathways for female founders.
Panel Facilitator: Amanda Rose
Sally-Ann Eather, Executive Manager and Co-Founder, Eather Group
Raquel Manning, Founder & Director at Blue Diamond Property Group
Rebecca Embleton, Workforce and Industry Participation Manager, Lendlease
Innovation Pitch Sprint Presentations
Be inspired by women founders, finalists from an open-call Innovation Pitch Sprint, as they share their bold ideas live.
Hosted by Nikki Meller, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Women in AI Australia, Founder & CEO of CREDuED and Julie Pham, Program Manager, Liverpool Entrepreneurship, UNSW Founders
Innovation Deep Dive Panel
Hear from female founders from Western Sydney who are driving innovation across diverse industries. These inspiring entrepreneurs will share their business journeys, the realities of building and scaling innovative ventures, and the successes and challenges they’ve navigated along the way.
Panel Facilitator: Kathryn Price, Director, Ruby Agency
Lauren Hitchen, Principal Solicitor and founder of L.E.H Legal
Sarah Qian, Founder, Compassion Creamery
Rachel Carey, CEO & Founder of Allara, Zoomly & Provider Business Solutions
Innovation Pitch Sprint Winner Announcement
Hosted by Nikki Meller, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Women in AI Australia, Founder & CEO of CREDuED and Julie Pham, Program Manager, Liverpool Entrepreneurship, UNSW Founders
12:30pm Networking Hour – Sponsored by L.E.H Legal
Meet founders, investors, corporates and policymakers in a relaxed, high-value networking environment built to spark conversations and collaboration.
Introduction by Sarah Cassim, Western Sydney Business Women Lead & Founder of Hawkesbury Women in Business and Lauren Hitchen, Principal Solicitor and founder of L.E.H Legal
2:30pm Finish
Thank you to our partners
Major Partner
Venue Partner
Pitch Sprint Partner
Networking Partner
Silver Sponsors
Creative Partner
Supporting Partners
Photo credit: Relise Photography (selected images). Additional imagery sourced from Western Sydney Women.