SA govt extends Southstart funding until 2028


Trish Everingham
Contributor

South Australia’s flagship startup festival Southstart has locked in a new $2 million state government funding deal, guaranteeing its annual events will continue to run until 2028.

The three-year agreement will ensure continuity for a conference that has proven its value as a catalyst for innovation, investment, new connections and business growth”, South Australian Deputy Premier and Innovation minister Susan Close said.

“Through this $2 million investment, the South Australian government is backing the next stage of Southstart’s growth, creating more opportunities for local entrepreneurs, showcasing the depth of opportunities for investors, attracting new partnerships and strengthening South Australia’s innovation economy,” she said.

_Southstart team. Image: supplied

The conference has been funded through the state’s Research and Innovation Fund since 2018, with the government extending the tie-up multiple times over the last seven years.

Funding goes towards event management logistics and operations, including travel, and accommodation for speakers and presenters at the event.

Southstart co-director Danielle Seymour said the government’s enduring support is “a signal of belief” in the importance of innovation, and its power to build the solutions that will help overcome the “challenges of our time”.

Fellow co-director Craig Swann added that the three-year partnership would help expand the event’s global reputation, deepen engagement with local industry, and “amplify our position as a global hub for innovation and future-focused leadership”.

The festival, which was founded in 2013 and reimagined by its current custodians in 2018, markets itself as a “national festival that combines investor engagement with immersive experiences”, and is frequently credited for helping seed-stage companies find funding pathways.

Scheduled for mid-March 2026, the next Southstart festival will continue to offer a mix of startup showcases, investor roundtables, regional immersions, and big-picture discussions. Program details will be announced in October 2025.

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