Building something real is lonely work. Once a year, we gather the people who get it - so you can think bigger, and stop building alone.
“Entrepreneurship is a lonely job. It's wonderful to have a place like southstart to help you realise you're not alone.”
“We added a couple of million to our capitalisation from the connections we made at southstart.”
“All the team at southstart did an amazing job of making me feel welcome in their city - and the event itself was one of the most organised I've had the privilege of being involved in.”
Building is lonely. Here you find the founders, investors and makers who actually get what you're carrying - and a few who become co-founders, backers, friends for life.
No polished keynotes here. Just the honest stories - the pivots, the near-deaths, the lessons people usually only tell you off the record.
Walk in with a question, leave with a direction. A few days here can move you further than a quarter alone at your desk.
The work is relentless. This is the rare moment to step back, think properly, and remember why you started in the first place.
southstart was founded in 2013 and reimagined by us in 2018, on one stubborn belief: innovation was never about technology, it was always about people. So we build everything around the people in the room - a few days a year to find your people, trade the honest stories, and leave with something that lasts.
Every festival we've made, from humble beginnings to the country's number one.
Over the years, hundreds of remarkable people have spoken at southstart - founders who've scaled globally, investors who've seen thousands of pitches, and voices from well outside tech.
Throughout the year we run complementary programs that keep our community connected and the conversations going.
Curated dinners that put founders and the investors who back them around one table.
A small cohort of founders going deep together, well away from the noise of the main stage.
A full week of programming across the city - the festival energy, stretched right out.
The Table is our small rebellion. One long table, one real question, and nothing said ever leaves the room with your name on it - so people are free to be honest. Break bread, think hard, stay late. You'll leave full, a little changed, and with better questions than you came in with.
Reserve a seatWe'll be back. Register your interest and you'll be first through the door - and first to know as the next one takes shape.
Or just keep in touch
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