Fireside Chat with Rob Castaneda & Steve Baxter: Bringing Australian Startups to the Forefront
Two founders. One conversation on how Australia can build more globally successful companies. Together, Steve Baxter and Rob Castaneda bring more than five decades of startup, founder and investor experience.
What does it take to bring Australian Startups to the leading edge of global success?
Join us for a special fireside chat featuring two of Australia's most accomplished technology entrepreneurs and startup leaders - Steve Baxter and Rob Castaneda.
From building pioneering internet infrastructure and investing in hundreds of startups, to scaling one of Australia's most successful technology services companies into a global business, Steve and Rob have played a significant role in shaping the Australian innovation ecosystem.
Together, they'll share candid insights from their entrepreneurial journeys, discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Australian startups today, and explore what it will take for more Australian founders to build world-class companies that compete on the global stage.
Expect an engaging conversation covering startup growth, fundraising, international expansion, leadership, resilience, and the future of Australia's innovation economy, followed by audience Q&A.
Whether you're an aspiring founder, startup operator, investor, student, or ecosystem supporter, this is a rare opportunity to hear directly from two entrepreneurs who have built and backed some of Australia's most impactful technology businesses.
Event Schedule
5:00 PM – Doors Open & Networking
5:40 PM – Fireside Chat with Rob Castaneda & Steve Baxter
6:30 PM – Audience Q&A
6:45 PM – Networking Drinks & Conversations
8:00 PM – Event Close
Speakers:
Steve Baxter
Entrepreneur, investor, and Co-founder & Executive Chairman of TEN13. Steve founded internet provider SE Net, co-founded PIPE Networks (sold to TPG for $373 million), appeared on Shark Tank Australia, and served as Queensland's Chief Entrepreneur. Today, he invests in and supports the next generation of Australian founders through TEN13 and Beaten Zone Venture Partners.
Rob Castaneda
Founder and CEO of ServiceRocket, a global technology services company helping organisations accelerate growth through technology. Born in Sydney and now based in Silicon Valley, Rob has built ServiceRocket into a globally recognised business while remaining deeply connected to Australia's startup and university ecosystems, including UTS.