Australia’s entrepreneurial talent to be celebrated during LA Innovation Week on Fri, Oct 10th in LA

This Friday 10th October The Australian Consulate Los Angeles, Movember and Society56 will bring together top LA based Australian talent, including Mistress founders Damien Eley (left) and Scott Harris (right), as part of the inaugural Los Angeles Innovation Week.

The day consists of three key events including an “Aussies Innovate in LA” panel discussion and a food, wine and business showcase held at the Australian Consul-General’s residence in Brentwood. The event will conclude with an event hosted at Movember HQ, Culver City. Australian businesses span industries such as tech, digital, entertainment, music, advertising, hospitality, tourism and fashion.

“The influx of incredible Australian entrepreneurial talent into LA is stronger than ever” said Australian Consul General, Karen Lanyon “we see LA Innovation Week as a chance to shine the light on these dynamic business people across all industries; from food to fashion and digital to entertainment. This is the Asia Pacific century and Australia and LA are key to unlocking its vast economic potential. Los Angeles increasingly represents the convergence of technology and content on the West Coast of the USA and we have some outstanding Australians who are leading the charge”.

Australians Innovate in LA will commence with a panel discussion moderated by former global CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi and Innovate LA board member Jimmy O’Mahony (left).

The panelists include:

• David Hill, senior executive vice president, 21st Century Fox
• Matt Rockman, partner, Square Peg Capital
• Grant Smilie, executive director, Botanical Hospitality Group
• Scott Julian, CEO, Gyde.tv
• Kevin Pearson, innovation champion, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems

Following the panel keynote speakers Eley and Harris of Mistress, will speak on the importance of ‘thinking big’ when trying to succeed in a city like Los Angeles.

Says Eley and Harris: “Coming from Australia into the massive market that is the US, it’s easy to feel like a small fish in a big pond. But no place in the world embraces big thinking like LA. You are up against some of the biggest players in the world so you have to embrace the risk taking culture and do things bigger in order to succeed.”

In a relaxed outside environment, the business, wine & food showcase will allow guests to mingle with Australian startups over an authentic Australian BBQ and some outstanding Australian wine.

The businesses on show include:

• Genero – Andrew Lane
• Gyde – Scott Julian
• Songtradr – Paul Wiltshire
• Northern Rift – Rob DePinto
• Sant & Abel – Sohphie Lovejoy
• Best Anything Message App (BAM) & World Wide Mind – Ben Nott
• SafeSite – Peter Grant

The Australians Innovate in LA Finale will be held at Movember HQ where CEO & founder of Movember, Adam Garone will reveal how an Australian innovation has changed the funding and research world and raised over half a billion dollars for men’s health and prostate cancer.

Garlo’s Pies, which has opened its flagship store in Westwood LA, will provide food, Movember mules will be served and the Blind Barber will provide free haircuts. Australian music artist Tim Wheatly will perform his latest tracks before handing over to a DJ who will take the group into the night.

During Los Angeles’ inaugural “Innovation Week,” businesses and organizations across the LA region will open their doors to showcase the depth and breadth of creativity in LA, from digital media to space commercialization, biomedicine to advanced transportation and more. The week- long celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship was created to highlight and stimulate advancements in industries from cleantech to gaming, aerospace to emerging digital media and STEAM education.

More than 30 events will be held throughout the week, celebrating the many companies that drive Los Angeles’ innovation economy.

The Australian event is sponsored by Virgin Australia, Littler Mendelson and CST Tax Advisors.