Female Founders Showcase
Women are building incredible things. This event is here to celebrate that!
The Female Founders Showcase is a warm, high-energy evening brought to you by UNSW Founders to spotlight women-led startups and connect the people who want to see more women starting, building, and leading.
Since the very beginning, UNSW Founders has focused on creating equal access and support for anyone looking to build and grow a startup. Since 2017, the New Wave program has played a key role in this – providing support, funding and visibility for women founders across the Australian ecosystem.
The Female Founders Showcase is a dedicated evening to celebrate nearly a decade of this work, and to shine a spotlight on the incredible women leading and building within Australia’s startup community.
Special Keynote – Announced:
Michele Stansfield, Co-Founder and CEO of Cauldron, a deep tech startup pioneering next generation biomanufacturing. Michele is an extraordinary CEO and founder, who has carved out a global leading status in a deeply complex tech sector from her headquarters in regional Australia; this is a keynote that you don’t want to miss.
Founded in 2022, Cauldron recently raised $13.25M, was named one of Fast Company's Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Asia-Pacific, has earned a spot on the World Economic Forum's Technology Pioneers list.
Whether you're a founder, investor, mentor, or supporter of the startup ecosystem — you belong here.
On the night:
Welcome and opening remarks
Startup booths — explore women-led ventures up close
Lightning pitches — women-led startups take the stage
Networking, photo booth, and more all throughout the evening
Come celebrate, get inspired, and make the kind of connections that uplift and support move the Australian startup ecosystem forward.
Bring your curiosity, friends, and your networking shoes! 👟
Refreshments, food, and great vibes provided.
📸 Photography & filming notice: This event will be photographed and filmed for UNSW Founders marketing and social media. By registering, you consent to your image being captured. If you'd prefer not to be photographed, please notify a team member or the photographer on the day.
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EVENT DETAILS
Date: Friday, 17th July 2026
Time: 6 – 9 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM)
Location: Leighton Hall, John Niland Scientia Building, Gate 11, Library Walk, UNSW Kensington Campus, NSW 2052
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ABOUT UNSW FOUNDERS
As Australia’s leading university-based entrepreneurial program, UNSW Founders has a proven track record of success. Since its inception in 2018, the program has supported 200+ startups every year, provided entrepreneurial skills training to 25,000+ individuals, provided over 10,000 coaching and mentoring sessions, and incubated (co-located) 70+ startups on campus to foster collaboration with the UNSW business, industry, academic, and research networks.
Learn more about UNSW Founders.
Subscribe to the UNSW Founders Newsletter to stay up-to-date with all our programs and events.
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Get involved!
Do you have a women-led business with interest in being part of the night? Submit your EOI, and we'll reach out if you're a fit.