Big ideas and bold talks at InvestFest 2025
InvestFest 2025 unites founders, investors and partners across the Gold Coast for two days.
What’s Happening
InvestFest 2025 wrapped up after two packed days on the Gold Coast, bringing together founders, investors, and ecosystem partners for a celebration of innovation, connection, and opportunity.
Day one took place at Cohort Innovation Space, while day two unfolded at the newly opened Mondrian Hotel in Burleigh Heads, featuring the headline Mayor’s Tech Lunch.
The GC Minute had the opportunity to attend InvestFest 2025, meeting founders, investors, and partners shaping the city’s innovation story. It was a chance to connect, share insights, and see firsthand how the Gold Coast is building its reputation as a national innovation hub.
Why It Matters
InvestFest showed that the Gold Coast isn’t just joining the national innovation conversation, it’s leading it. The festival created a space for collaboration between founders, investors, and ecosystem builders, showcasing the city’s growing strength in business, technology, and creative industries.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate’s keynote at the Mayor’s Tech Lunch reinforced the city’s ambition to be one of Australia’s most attractive destinations for investment and enterprise.
Local Impact
The festival strengthened the Gold Coast’s reputation as an emerging innovation hub, supported by strong partnerships with Economic Development Queensland, the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, Invest Gold Coast, QIC, Cake Equity, Create Financial, and AWS.
By the Numbers
Over 175 curated investor-founder meetings helped forge lasting business connections.
Four panels and three keynotes explored the future of venture capital and innovation.
More than 200 investors, startups, and business leaders joined the sold-out Mayor’s Tech Lunch at the Mondrian Hotel.
Zoom In
Day one at Cohort Innovation Space opened with a keynote from Wayne Gerard, who shared lessons from both sides of the table as a founder raising capital and as an investor funding growth.
The VC panel ‘Money Grows Up’, featuring Kate Coffey (Airtree), Ben Weinberger (Giant Leap), and Ben Lindsay (Investible), explored the current venture capital landscape and what founders need to know when raising in 2025.
Day two featured the Mayor’s Tech Lunch, combining networking with keynotes and lively discussions. Speakers included Kara O’Dwyer, Gregg Thatcher, and Sam Naidoo, who joined the panel to share insights on technology, investment, and the future of innovation on the Gold Coast.
Zoom Out
InvestFest balanced business with lifestyle through morning surf, yoga, and startup basketball sessions, fostering connection beyond the boardroom.
The Official Afterparty at La Luna Beach Club closed out the weekend with energy and celebration.
What to Look for Next
With strong turnout and engagement this year, InvestFest organisers are already planning for an expanded InvestFest 2026, aiming to attract even more investors, founders, and partners to the Gold Coast.