Founder, Built for our Kids · Queensland ecosystem builder and connector

Laura Ashmole brings energy, warmth, and deep roots in Queensland's tech community to the stage on 9 July. As Founder of Built For Our Kids, she connects families raising children with complex needs with the innovators and entrepreneurs who can help co-design solutions that make a real difference. Her path there came through years spent at the heart of Queensland's startup scene, including leading growth at River City Labs, where she built her reputation as a connector of founders, talent, and organisations across Australia and beyond. Laura is also an author, with her poetry collection I See You Mama giving voice to mothers of children with high support needs. She brings that same honesty and warmth to everything she does. She will be your guide through the evening.

Pauline Fetaui

Director, Perspective X

Pauline Fetaui is a serial founder, angel investor and ecosystem builder, with twenty years of digital and transformation leadership across financial services and government behind her. She currently sits on the Advisory Board of Silicon Catalyst Australia, the country's leading Semiconductor and Quantum Accelerator, and is Co-Founder of Something Tech, Australia's Digital, Innovation and Technology Festival, and Host of Perspective X, a long-form podcast on the Day One Network.

Craig Josic

Managing Director | GEN Australia & Australia GEC Ambassador | Global Entrepreneurship Network

Craig Josic (CJ) is a serial entrepreneur and ecosystem builder who co-founded Silicon Coast, leads the Queensland AI Hub Sunshine Coast and GEN Australia, and has spent over a decade connecting founders, investors, and communities across Queensland and beyond.

Audun Fiskerud

Program Lead | EnergyLab

Audun helps startups get investment ready, and he helps established companies develop cultural and systemic enablers of innovation. Exited founders with 20+ years in start-ups, innovation, strategy, research, and learning programs.

Peta Ellis

General Manager | Beaten Zone Venture Partners

Peta Ellis is an executive coach, keynote speaker, and Defence innovation investor with nearly 30 years' experience turning vision into execution for leaders, startups, and future-focused ventures.

David Jakic

Global Managing Partner | BlackStar Partners

Bringing deep experience in corporate advisory, international trade, investment due diligence and deal negotiation across Australia, the Middle East, Europe, the UK and the US. He works with founders and investors to shape growth strategies and market expansion plans, with a particular focus on helping strong local businesses scale into genuine cross-border opportunities.

Annie Lawrence

Head of Industry Advancement | City of Moreton Bay

Annie Lawrence leads a diverse team delivering on an ambitious economic development agenda for Australia's third largest local government. With a career spanning both private sector and senior government roles, she sits on the Queensland Minister's Advisory Council for Innovation.

Julien Taylor

VC Investor | QIC

Julien is a VC investor at QIC Ventures with 15+ years of global experience in venture, strategy and scaling startups like Go1 and Sonder.