Overview
Innovation Bay is an Australian community founded in 2003 to help founders connect, share experiences, and learn from peers. Hundreds of events later, it spans the tech landscape—linking founders at all stages with angel investors and VCs who want to learn, collaborate, and shape the ecosystem.
Co-founded by Ian Gardiner and Phaedon Stough, Innovation Bay positions itself as a long-running network for startup community building from idea toward IPO-scale journeys.
What they teach
Community value shows up as:
- Peer learning among founders
- Investor education and collaboration (angel and VC tracks)
- Events and conversations that surface practical startup lessons
- Cross-pollination between operators and capital
Podcasts and post-event reflections (such as Venture Down Under takeaways) extend learning beyond the room.
Who it's for
- Australian founders from early stage onward
- Angel investors and VCs building local networks
- Operators seeking peer wisdom and warm introductions
- Partners collaborating on startup ecosystem programmes
Frequently asked
Accelerator or network?
Primarily a membership/events network for founders and investors—not a classic equity accelerator.
Who can join?
Founders and investor communities have distinct tracks; apply via the official contact/membership pathways.
How long has it run?
Founded in 2003; messaging emphasizes hundreds of events since.
Where is it based?
Australian tech ecosystem focus (“Venture Down Under” and local community language).