Pitch Night recap + She Means Business + FutureFest 🚀

Welcome to the Weekly Wrap!

We’re looking back on a standout final Pitch Night of the year, and looking ahead to a day dedicated to women in entrepreneurship, a university-wide innovation festival, and a busy run of AI and skills events across the wider ecosystem.

Last Tuesday, we closed out 2026 with our Health & Wellbeing Pitch Night at The Commons QV. Four founders took the stage, and Audri took home both the Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice Awards. Congratulations to Dr Yoni Savicky and Shalev NessAiver, and a big thank you to everyone who came along.

Looking ahead, Women’s Entrepreneurship Day on Thursday 19 November takes over Stone & Chalk Melbourne with AFC Presents: She Means Business, a full day of workshops, focus groups and small circles, plus headshots. A little further out, Monash FutureFest 2026 on 27 November brings together students, founders, researchers and industry for a full day of big ideas and bold partnerships.

Across the wider community, there are four more ways to sharpen your skills and build connections: the Stone & Chalk AI Solopreneur Accelerator, CDH’s Public Speaking Workshop, NVIDIA Open Season Part 1: Build With AI You Control (Nemotron) and One Roof Women’s National Conference (#OWNCon).

Here’s what’s coming up 👇

🩺That’s a Wrap on Pitch Night 2026! 🚀

On 27 October, we hosted our final Pitch Night of 2026 at The Commons QV, bringing together four incredible founders building the future of Health & Wellbeing.

🎤 We heard pitches from:

• Dr Yoni Savicky & Shalev NessAiver – Co-founders, Audri Pty Ltd

• Era Christakos & ROSIE TAHU – Co-founders, PHASEA™

• Aditya Munukutla – Founder, MindBodyHuman

• Ryan Khan – Business Development, ADHDme

Each founder shared more than just what they’re building. They gave us a glimpse into the why behind their ventures, the real-world challenges they’re tackling, and the impact they hope to make.

🏆 A special congratulations to Dr Yoni Savicky & Shalev NessAiver from Audri, who took home both the Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice Awards! A well-deserved double win.

A big thank you to our judges for sharing their time, expertise and thoughtful feedback:
⚖️ Camille Shanahan – General Manager, Jumar Bioincubator
⚖️ Lizzie Laurence – Program Manager, MedTech Actuator
⚖️ Magdalena Nakova – Co-Managing Director, Nucleate Australia

And, of course, thank you to everyone who joined us – from founders and investors to the many supporters of our startup community. Your energy and encouragement help make these nights what they are.

Events like these remind us of the incredible talent, ambition and generosity driving our startup ecosystem forward.

That’s a wrap for 2026. See you at the next one! 🎉

Women’s Entrepreneurship Day

Thursday 19 November is Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, and we’re taking over Stone & Chalk Melbourne for the whole of it. And there are headshots! The All Access Pass is the day proper: workshops, focus groups and small circles on the things that actually get in the way, run by women who have been through them. A$45 for the lot.

💼 AFC Presents: She Means Business Thursday 19 November, Stone & Chalk Melbourne Startup Hub, 121 King St. Free Coworking ticket, or the All Access Pass at A$45.

On the All Access Pass (this is where the good stuff is!!): workshops, focus groups and small circles on finance, branding, imposter syndrome and raising, with Nikki Tugano (SeenCulture), Rachel Wong (The Finance Hybrid), Katie Forse (Tribu), Jodi Geddes (Brandiie), Sam Freidin (Milkshake Creative), Sonia Kaurah (Tala Thrive and MLAI), Kathryn Priestly (Ask Colin) and Robelen Ryan (CodexLab).

Free with a coworking ticket - with a hosted morning coffee & afternoon tea!

🚀 Monash FutureFest 2026: Big Ideas. Bold Partnerships. Built Together

Join Monash University for FutureFest 2026, a full-day celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship, research, and industry collaboration! Bringing together students, founders, researchers, industry leaders, and the wider community, FutureFest is the perfect opportunity to spark new ideas, build meaningful connections, and explore the innovations shaping tomorrow.

💡 Discover the Monash innovation ecosystem through industry panels, an innovation expo, startup showcases, research facility tours, and hands-on workshops. Hear from keynote speaker Ben Hamer and Rod Bristow, CEO of Innovation Victoria, and cheer on student and alumni startups pitching for a share of $20,000.

🤝 Connect with future-focused employers, meet emerging innovators, explore research breakthroughs, and take part in First Nations cultural workshops and sustainability activities.

With live music, DJs, coffee, matcha, and food trucks throughout the day, FutureFest brings together fresh ideas and great opportunities to connect.

📅 Friday, 27 November 2026
🕒 11:00 AM–6:00 PM AEDT
📍 Alan Finkel Building, Monash University, Clayton Campus

End 2026 with momentum by becoming a TSN Member🚀

As we head into the final stretch of the year, it’s also a great time to make the most of your TSN community. Whether you’re looking to meet more founders, connect with investors, find practical support or stay close to what’s happening across the ecosystem, TSN Membership gives you a year-round connection to the people and opportunities that can help move your startup forward. Finish the year connected and start the next one with momentum.

Become a TSN Member and join the community.