ICC Sydney supports citywide productivity and innovation as host of UTS Startups Summit

26 Jun 2023

International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), managed by ASM Global, strengthens its commitment to support economic impact while developing the future generation of entrepreneurs as it partners with The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to deliver the inaugural UTS Startups Summit.

Highlighting the strength of the venue’s ongoing partnership with UTS – Australia’s highest-performing university in Australia under 50 years old*, the UTS Startups Summit is set to attract 2,500 year 9 and 10 high school students to be inspired by successful entrepreneurs who are working to solve global issues, facilitating trade and investment and generating economic impact throughout Sydney and nationwide.

To be opened by the New South Wales Minister for Industry and Trade and Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, The Hon. Anoulack Chanthivong, the event will present a spectacular line up of inspirational speakers including accomplished young entrepreneurs including Angelique Wan who is the co-founder and CEO of Consent Labs, a youth-led not-for-profit she established when she was 19 years old and the founder of Craft Club, Australia’s fastest growing craft ecommerce platform – Nakisah Williams and others who will share stories of courage, innovation and leadership.

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said the UTS Startups Summit will drive critical trade and investment opportunities for NSW by creating more pathways for students into entrepreneurship.

“This Summit will allow students in years nine and ten from across the state to build connections and be inspired by young entrepreneurs who are already on their startup journey.

“This is a chance for young people to better understand the benefits of entrepreneurship on the wider economy as they consider the career pathways ahead of them,” Mr Chanthivong said.

UTS Startups Summit convenor and Director of Entrepreneurship at UTS, Murray Hurps said he’s committed to helping the next generation to see what they can be to be better prepared for the challenging and opportunity-filled world they’re entering.

“The future is here, but it’s not distributed fairly. Technology is providing individuals with the opportunity to create and distribute solutions to the world, and more young Australians need to see and understand realistic role models in this space that they can follow.

“On the day students will see people like themselves, doing things they can do, and getting results and impact they want to get. The curtains will be lifted on what really happened to enable these entrepreneurs, helping thousands to take their first steps in the right direction.

“ICC Sydney is the perfect venue for this kind of large scale impact. This day would not be possible without them, and their drive to create a genuine legacy and inspire the next generation is awe-inspiring,” Mr Hurps said.

ICC Sydney Chief Executive Officer and Group Director – Convention Centres, ASM Global (APAC), Geoff Donaghy who will address this Summit’s audience said Australia’s premier convention, exhibition and entertainment venue is proud to welcome the students, speakers, experts and teachers to this important event.

“We are delighted to host our long time university partner UTS to deliver their inaugural Startups Summit. Through ICC Sydney’s industry leading Legacy Program, we have built a strong partnership with UTS – helping our clients to enrich their events and connect with brightest minds who help to solve global challenges as they engage with the next generation of leaders.

“Living up to our ambition to be More Than A Venue and highlighting the strength of our Legacy Program, the venue’s talented corporate social responsibility, AV technology and events professionals have been able to creatively promote, plan and present this event – helping to open the minds of Sydney’s young people to consider the great value of entrepreneurship – both for them individually and our broader economy and society,” Mr Donaghy said.

For more information about the UTS Startups Summit event taking place at ICC Sydney on 27 June 2023, visit: UTS Startups Summit | Aware Super Theatre.

ICC Sydney and UTS have previously worked together on the Sydney Innovation Stories, which showcases a number of the startups the university supports through UTS Startups, connecting event planners through to innovators and entrepreneurs through the Legacy Program and now through the presentation of the UTS Startups Summit.

*QS Top 50 Under 50 2021 and THE Young University Rankings 2022.

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