Stone & Chalk

How are local governments using AI to improve services and efficiency? Find out at Stone & Chalk Melbourne Startup Hub on Thursday, 20 March! What to expect: ✅ Insights from leading councils & AI professionals ✅ Practical case studies on AI in government ✅ A panel discussion + live Q&A ✅ Networking with industry experts & government leaders Whether you're in government or looking to integrate AI into your organisation, this is your chance to connect with the experts shaping the future of AI in public services. https://lnkd.in/gtNeisUY

Thinking about raising capital for your startup? 🚀 Equity crowdfunding is opening doors for founders to secure funding faster while building a community of loyal advocates. But is it the right move for your business? We’ve broken down the key insights you need to know – from what it is to some of the key pros and cons. Want to learn more? Download our Capital Raising Guide to dive deeper and explore the best path for your next raise: https://lnkd.in/gRU5-Die

We’re hiring: General Manager, South Australia 🪄 Love startups? Passionate about growing communities, forging partnerships, and leading a high-performing team? This could be your dream role. We’re looking for a General Manager to take the reins of Stone & Chalk Adelaide – a hub that’s home to some of Australia’s most exciting startups. 💡 Build a strong innovation ecosystem 🤝 Connect founders with investors, mentors & partners 📈 Drive growth and make a real impact in SA’s tech scene 🏆 Lead an incredible team and culture If you’re a natural leader with deep connections in SA’s startup, investment, and government sectors, we’d love to hear from you! This is a rare opportunity and we’re reviewing applications as they come in, so apply now. https://lnkd.in/gzrxj8Kk

This week, we hosted our first Ecosystem Mixer for the year at Stone & Chalk in Melbourne! It’s where we bring together startup founders, mentors, investors, and industry professionals to connect over a couple of drinks and great conversations. This time, we partnered with Kairos Recruitment to run a speed-dating style event between startups and jobseekers, helping founders find the right people to grow their businesses in 2025. It's great to support the startup community and create meaningful connections. We run these mixers every month, so come along and what new opportunities come out of it! 😊

Calling all female founders! Starting a company takes grit. And for women in startups, the hurdles can be even higher. That’s why we created the Stone & Chalk International Women’s Day Scholarship to help female founders break through barriers, build stronger businesses, and grow with confidence. This 6-month scholarship gives you: ✅ A workspace in our Adelaide, Melbourne, or Sydney hubs ✅ A real startup community of founders, investors and mentors ✅ Expert guidance tailored to your business challenges ✅ Programs and connections to help you scale faster We're backing women who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Will you be next? 🔗 Apply now: https://lnkd.in/gaE2uaKw

Join us for an electrifying evening of AI-driven commerce, fintech innovations, and top-tier networking with industry leaders from Adobe, GitHub, Flippa & PayPal. 🔹 What? PayPal Melbourne Developer Meetup 🔹 Where? Stone & Chalk Melbourne Startup Hub 🔹 When? Thursday 20 February 🔹 Who? Developers, founders and anyone curious about AI & fintech See you there! https://lnkd.in/gHA2FPCP

Meet Nicholas Hugh, co-founder of SportsBlock. SportsBlock is changing the game in sportstech, making club management effortless for volunteer-run organisations. At Stone & Chalk, we back founders like Nick – big thinkers solving real problems. If you're scaling an innovative tech company, we might be for you too. Learn how we help founders go further, faster: https://lnkd.in/gSjpfg5p

Yesterday we welcomed leaders from the Committee for Sydney as part of the 2025 City Nation Place conference to see firsthand how we support startups and drive innovation at Tech Central Sydney. During their visit, they met our resident startups who shared their journeys and how being part of Tech Central has helped them grow. Trendspek showcased their work with councils, helping them better manage infrastructure, and Infracorr Consulting revealed how they use Trendspek’s technology to improve safety and efficiency in the industry. It's a great example of how technology can solve real-world problems – and the value of Tech Central and the connections it builds. The leaders also met with Like Family, who are tackling the growing problem of social isolation. As founder Mathieu Bertrand explains, about why they choose Tech Central: "We’re surrounded by other ambitious founders, have access to incredible talent, and can tap into a supportive network that genuinely wants to see startups succeed." Events like this strengthen relationships between startups, government, and industry leaders and give founders a platform to connect with decision-makers. Thanks to all those who attended. When we bring people together, we help grow a stronger, more connected innovation ecosystem.

This week, we hosted a packed SecTalks at our Sydney hub! A big thank you to Pepe Berba for his great talk on malicious browser extensions. Here's some quick takeaways: 🔍 They're everywhere – These dodgy extensions often look like normal tools, so they can sneak past security checks. 🛠 You can track them without spending big – There are free tools that help uncover them. 💡 Hackers hide their code, but you can crack it – If you know how to break it down, you can stop threats before they spread. It’s always exciting to see the cyber security community sharing knowledge. Thanks to everyone who joined us, we love supporting events that bring brilliant minds together!

Know an amazing female founder? Our International Women's Day Scholarship has helped female founders grow their startups with confidence. This year, we're awarding six scholarships – two in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney – giving more women the support, tools, and connections to go further, faster. Applications are now open! https://lnkd.in/gaE2uaKw