A look back at an incredible year; huge gratitude to everyone involved.

It's not often that I find myself penning posts or delving into long-form content. I'm usually quick to downplay things, dismissing achievements as "not that big a deal," or racing ahead without pausing to reflect on the milestones. However, this year truly warrants celebration – not just for me, but for the remarkable individuals I'm privileged to work with daily and the visionary founders we're honoured to serve through The Startup Network.

This post is a heartfelt thank you and congratulations to everyone involved in The Startup Network, from my exceptional team and our generous partners to the friends we've made in the whirlwind 6 months (can it really only be 6 months?) since the launch. And, above all, a salute to the founders who inspire us to strive for more, to do better, and to contribute to the positive change we envision in the world.

The journey through 2023 was nothing short of a rollercoaster. Honestly, at the year's outset, doubts lingered, and resources were tight. I had to streamline the team to a duo, and our runway dwindled to a mere three months – the quintessential startup struggle that many can relate to.

Gratitude is owed to some incredible women, my personal mentors and advisors during that challenging period, particularly 🌱 Judy Anderson-Firth , Jodie Imam , and especially Tracey Warren . Your impact on me at that time was immeasurable. 🙏

Emerging from the year's toughest phase, we embarked on a rebuilding journey.

In MARCH, we welcomed Ryan Burns to the team, a stellar addition bringing a blend of audacious ideas and meticulous planning. Hailing from First Capital in the US, Ryan also equipped us with the tools to guide founders through investment advice and navigate the intricate world of funding.

APRIL marked the launch of The Female Founder Circle, made possible by the support of F5 Collective . This initiative provided a nurturing space for many female founders – a welcoming home for both challenges and triumphs. We also welcomed aboard, Stephanie Hall , who has been a tremendous asset, not only as a perfect sounding board for me, but also as a wonderful supporter of the Female Founder community. 

MAY saw the official launch of The Momentum Series, met with resounding success. Thanks again to Steph, who launched this initiative with such grace and professionalism. And of course to our partners Hyper Startup Studio , 25eight , Lightning Products ⚡️ , Burch&Co. , Shadowboxer , and many more. This series of programs quickly became a cornerstone of The Startup Network's offerings.

JUNE was a standout month with the official launch of The Startup Network at the Sam Altman Experience, the largest startup event of the year! Huge kudos to Ryan for tirelessly making it happen and Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for generously providing a venue for 2000 AI enthusiasts from across Australia.

JULY brought no time for a breather as we expanded nationally, sharing our story and plans with communities nationwide. Thanks to our new recruit Desmond John , we engaged more with the community through events and Pitch Nights.

In AUGUST, we ran our First Pitch Night outside of Vic, a big milestone for our National rollout. The reception was wonderful to see, and the pitchers were incredible. It was clear that our friends in Sydney were happy to see us, and everyone came together to support each other and their success.

In SEPTEMBER, it was up to QLD for a Pitch Night in Brisbane! What a brilliant bunch of founders we were lucky enough to spend the evening with. And how can we forget the fun hangs with Natasha Prévot and Sam Bricknell .

In OCTOBER, it was time for the very first SXSW Sydney! Huge thanks to Rita Yates and Caroline Pegram for trusting us with the very first Pitch Contest! What a privilege to participate and MC with my friend and co-host, the fabulous Dickie Currer . It was a month of great events, including our Impact Pitch night partnering, as always, with the wonderful folks at Giant Leap ! And for the first time this year; Boundless Earth ! Thank you, especially Rachel Yang and Katerina Kimmorley .

In a personal highlight, NOVEMBER offered a restful break in Cambodia, rejuvenating and invigorating. If you would like to join me next year, be sure to sign up for more details here. And now, in DECEMBER, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride for all we've achieved this year.

While I can't mention everyone who supported us, the entire team is immensely grateful for your contributions to our vision of creating a world where every startup idea thrives.

Thank you! Keep an eye out for our exciting plans in 2024, starting with the Future Horizons Festival on Feb 2nd! We'll be back on Jan 8th, eager to continue supporting more founders on their startup journey.

😊 Always, with loving kindness, Vicki. CEO - The Startup Network.