Founder Groups Melbourne

Founders Running Club :: Melbourne

📢 Founders Running Club :: Melbourne — the first Australian chapter of a global community bringing together founders, investors, operators, and creators. Whether startups are your whole career or just a curiosity, that’s our common ground. Come run, grab a coffee, make some friends. When? 8am every Saturday. We start gathering around 7:50am (some of us are there from 7:45). Where? Parkville parkrun: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WcaekGkh6S1DVK9Q7 🏃 First time? We run alongside parkrun, a larger event with 500+ participants, so there’s a first timer’s briefing. No sign-up needed, but you can grab a free barcode at parkrun.com.au to track your time and stats. It’s a 5K, but run your own lap of 3K or whatever you like. We don’t all run as a group (some do), and we meet after. We hang in the park until \~8:45, then grab ☕🥐 at a nearby café. 🤝 How do I find you? We gather in the park after the run. Join our WhatsApp group: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/KJRG8JnP1OF5Fw6Psfa72m](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KJRG8JnP1OF5Fw6Psfa72m) 👯 Bring a friend? Always. +1s very welcome! 📸 instagram.com/frcmelbourne

Startup Networking⚡& Fireside Chat w/ Kunal Kalro (Founder of Eugene

​This is a Social Networking event with a Fireside Chat with **[Kunal Kalro](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kunal-kalro/?utm_source=luma)**, Founder & CEO of **[Eugene](https://eugenelabs.com/?utm_source=luma)** Eugene is HealthTech company redesigning how genomics are used - to prevent disease and stay healthy. Kunal’s journey into healthcare began after a personal loss that exposed just how reactive, disconnected and disempowering our health systems can be. ​Today, Kunal is building a future where everyone can sequence their DNA once, and receive personalised guidance for life. ​Before Eugene, he founded and led ventures across multiple industries and geographies, spanning Australia, US, India, Latin America, & the Middle East. Join us to learn how Kunal made Eugene a HealthTech success, and the challenges and key learnings along that startup journey. ​ ​**Agenda:** * ​5:30 - 6:15 PM (45 mins) - Get to know each other & Welcome * 6:15- 7:00 PM (45 mins) - Fireside Chat w/ **Kunal** * ​7:15 - 8:00 PM (45 mins) - More Social Networking ​All tickets includes light drinks and food. ​There’s no dress code, no hard sales pitches, and no pressure — just great people and meaningful conversations ✨ We look foward to seeing you there!

Who wants to be a f***ing leader?

Since 2019 Amir and David have been catching up for what they term 'shit sandwiches', exchanging professional and personal trials and successes, sharing sympathy and occasional advice. Should I leave my job; how do I handle a difficult report; how do I get buy in; and do you know a good osteo you could recommend, my back is killing me. They’ve have turned our catch up sessions into a live, high stakes gameshow for the product community's amusement. They will be borrowing from the 'who wants to be a millionaire format' and we will share stories that will hopefully inspire people to step up and lead (when required) in this messy and uncertain world we find ourselves in. Get ready to have some fun and hopefully learn a thing or two. Our Speakers: Amir Ansari: With over 25 years’ of experience in the field of design and design leadership, Amir has worked across the private and public sectors, in-house and agency, managing design practitioners and leaders to build long-lasting and impactful products and services. Amir is passionate about democratising the craft of design and sharing my learnings - doing it with a smile and a hug. David Bacon: After graduating from Monash with a Bachelor of Science, David worked as a penguin keeper in England which somehow lead to a career spanning marketing, behaviour change, innovation and human-centred design. David has experience delivering digital products and services in financial services, healthcare, retail, government. He has the goal of weaving humanity into technology. He still dreams about penguins.

Networking Drinks for Builders & Doers

**🍻 The Entrepreneur Club – Last Friday of the Month Drinks** **Not your average knock-off drinks.** Join us for a monthly gathering of entrepreneurs, builders, creatives, and self-starters who believe business is more than just work, it’s a personal growth journey. Whether you're scaling something or just starting out, this is a space to meet others who think like you do. **💬 What to Expect** ✅ Real convos with people building something ✅ A place to bounce ideas, swap challenges, and share wins ✅ Opportunities to give value and get it in return ✅ Chill vibes, no pitches, just smart people in good company You don’t need a title or a polished pitch, just curiosity and the willingness to connect. **🗓 Format** **6:30pm** – Arrive, grab a drink, join a convo **8:30pm** – We wrap, or roll on elsewhere 📍 **The Oxford Scholar** We take over a corner of the bar (Back Bar or Atrium), look for the crew with ideas in one hand and a drink in the other. **🎯 This is for you if** * You want more entrepreneurial people in your life * You’re building something, or want to be * You care about growth, not just small talk Bring a question. Bring a challenge. Bring your curiosity. Last Friday of every month. Let’s make it count.

Startup Networking Melbourne: Founders, Investors & Talent Mixer

Join founders, investors and tech talent at this curated **startup networking event in Melbourne.** Meet ambitious builders, exchange ideas and discover new opportunities in a dynamic community environment. RSVP: [Use this link](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-networking-melbourne-founders-investors-talent-mixer-tickets-1987629760118?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true) Please note that RSVP is managed via Eventbrite to control attendee lists — don’t ignore it to avoid issues with on-site payment. **💡 Why This Event Is Different** Most networking events end with exchanged LinkedIn profiles. This one focuses on real conversations and real opportunities. We bring together founders, investors, engineers, operators and talent in a curated environment designed to create meaningful connections. Through interactive networking rounds, open conversations and pitch opportunities, participants can share challenges, exchange insights and build relationships that last beyond the event. 🤝 What to Expect * **Interactive Networking** Structured networking rounds where participants briefly introduce themselves, share current challenges and explore collaboration opportunities. * **Talent Corner** Recruiters and hiring managers can briefly share open positions, while engineers and operators can introduce their skills and interests. * **Startup Conversations** Open discussions about fundraising, product development, growth and startup challenges. **👥 Who Should Attend** • Startup founders • Investors and angels • Engineers and builders • Operators and product managers • Recruiters and HR professionals • Sales and business development professionals • Job seekers interested in startups • Newcomers to the Melbourne tech ecosystem

Impact Pitch Night

🎟️ **TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR EVENT - [CLICK HERE FOR THE TICKETS](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/impact-pitch-night-tickets-1976033923659)** 🎟️ Join us for an inspiring evening celebrating startups making a difference at our 2026 Impact Pitch Night at The Commons QV! ### **What to Expect on the Night:** The Impact Pitch Night offers a unique opportunity to connect with a community of changemakers. Guests will: * Network with an ever-growing community of investors, founders, service providers, and startup operators. * Support four incredible early-stage founders as they pitch their solutions to global challenges. * Vote for their favorite pitch of the night. Secure your spot to witness the innovation and dedication of founders working to create a better world. This is your chance to explore transformative ideas and support startups tackling all kinds of solutions. #### **Reserve Your Seat Today!** Don’t miss out on this evening filled with networking, innovation, and celebration. Register now to be part of The Startup Network's Startups Pitch Night and connect with the changemakers shaping a brighter future

Ecommerce Insiders: Fortnightly Founders' Table — Scale Your Brand

CREATING and IMPROVING ABILITY! Free Meetup!

Your ability to work and live with others is crucial to your survival. To survive well one needs ability. Today meetup topic: Creating and Improving Ability And if you think you already have all the ability one needs to survive well then it is important for you to learn how to KEEP IT FROM GOING AWAY. Attend our Free Meetup! Definition for Ability: One's power to observe, to make decisions and to act. A man is as free, as well-off, as he is able. A family is as happy as it has ability. A business is as well-off as it has able people in it. A country is as well-off as it has able workers, foremen and executives. At today's meetup learn what constitutes ability and more importantly how to develop and improve it so that it does not go away. Fact's are that one's ability is never the same. It either goes up or it will go down. Your natural as well as learned abilities are constantly subject to many of life's pressures. One can therefore simply not rest on one's laurels regarding your current abilities and simply assume they will always be available for use. The time to protect and enhance ability is when you are still able. Any loss of ability will result in less confidence followed by problems resulting in unhappiness. This is called the dwindling spiral. Not just for you, it will impact all others you associate with as well. Today's topic applies to all aspects of life but will focus on how your abilities or lack of abilities or a sudden or gradual lowering of ability relates to work and family life. On your arrival you will be asked to complete a Oxford Personality Test. From this you will learn what ability it is that needs attention and improving. Whilst at our meetup you will also learn about some of the different technologies are that you find here which actively create, protect or enhance ability in key areas of life. The world cries out for better people (More Able People) that will lead happier life's with better better jobs, stronger families as well as community and businesses groups. Get The Know-How for life, attend our meetup or ask me for a time that is better suited to your schedule.

iHarvest - Business Mentoring Program - Round 2

**Open to members of iHarvest and businesses/residents of Brimbank City Council.** **Meetup registration lets us know you’re interested-you'll be contacted with an application to apply for round 2 of the business mentoring program (including a specific session date/time).** The iHarvest Business Mentoring Program offers up to 3 free sessions with a business expert tailored to support your start-up or small business. Whether you’re just starting or looking to grow, the program provides you with practical insight. Mentors can assist you with: * Business planning and strategy * Marketing and branding * Financial management * Product or service development * Legal or regulation * Scaling and growth * Support and accountability

'GENESIS' - The Generative AI Filmmaker's Networking Event

**Welcome to 'GENESIS' - The Generative AI Filmmaking Networking Event!** ***THIS MAY BE A LIMITED EVENT - PLEASE MAKE SURE TO RSVP.*** This group is for individuals interested in exploring the intersection of generative AI technology and movie making. Whether you're a filmmaker eager to discuss movie production, a technician looking to collaborate, or simply wishing to learn more and discuss AI in film, this group is for you! Join us at the Emporium food court (located behind Grill’d Burger Restaurant in the CBD, not near Melbourne Station) to discuss AI technologies, workflows, productions, AI ethics, government responsibility and more. After 7pm, we continue the evening with Happy Hour drinks at a nearby bar and a chance to grab dinner together. Feel free to bring friends interested in AI filmmaking; it’s a great way to introduce new faces to our expanding network. RSVP to help us gauge attendance and become part of a growing network of film professionals and enthusiasts. Though the event begins in the afternoon, the relationships you build here can last well into the night and beyond. At 7 PM, we move to The Carlton Club, a five-minute walk away, where we continue networking in a more formal rooftop setting over drinks and food. This change of venue offers an ideal environment to keep conversations flowing. We want to foster a supportive network for creativity, film and television production, and collaboration between the world of cinema and AI. Connect with like-minded individuals and explore the exciting world of generative AI filmmaking together at GENESIS.

Meetup Event Organizers wanted!

Meetup Event organizers wanted. If you have something to help people in this group that you want to invite them to step up as event organizer. Contact me via meetup and let me know what you have in mind organizing how often and where.

What Breaks When AI Picks Up: Lessons from Voice AI in Australian Healthcare

**What Breaks When AI Picks Up:** **Lessons from Voice AI in Australian Healthcare** 181 commits. 10 weeks. 28% were fixes. In this session, Dr Kevin Ong, Co-Founder, CEO and CTO of Voral.ai, and Principal AI Consultant at Equal Experts Australia, shares what really broke when AI was deployed on a live phone line handling patient calls in Australian healthcare practices. From phantom bookings and four-second silent gaps that no unit test could catch, to race conditions where callers were simultaneously handled by multiple AI agents - this wasn’t theory, it was production reality. No polished architecture diagrams. Just hard won lessons from the fixes that followed. **Agenda** 5 30 PM - Gates open (Networking drinks & food) 6 15 PM - G-EE-K Talk 7 PM - Q&A 7 15 PM - Networking drinks (and more food) 8 30 PM - Wrap up