Where ideas get tested, connections get made, and the Gold Coast startup community shows up

Pitch & Pizza is the Gold Coast Innovation Hub’s monthly pitch night, in support of local startup founders. 📣🍕

Held in the comfy GC Hub space at Southern Cross University, this is a relaxed, high-value evening for founders, final-year students, investors and ecosystem supporters who want to hear fresh ideas, give real feedback, and be part of what’s next on the Gold Coast.

No pressure. Just great ideas, honest conversations, plenty of pizza and soft drinks, plus a room full of people who care about building things that matter.

Whether you’re:

• a founder or researcher refining your pitch before meeting with investors
• a student testing a startup idea for the first time
• an investor or mentor looking for early signals
• or a supporter who loves being close to emerging talent

this evening event is for you.

 

What to expect:

🌟 The Main Slice
Each month, up to three startup founders or researchers will deliver a short pitch (max 5 minutes) and receive constructive feedback from the room. This is a safe, supportive environment to sharpen your story and stress-test your idea. Pitch spots are limited and must be applied for ahead of time. CLICK HERE TO APPLY

🔥 Lightning Bites
Got 45 seconds? Step up, grab the mic, and pitch your idea, problem, or ask. Whether you’re looking for feedback, collaborators, customers or confidence, this is your moment.

🤝 Pizza and Possibilities
No forced networking. Just genuine conversations with founders, students, investors, mentors and ecosystem builders over pizza and soft drinks.

 

Agenda

5:30pm – Doors open, pizza served, informal networking
6:00pm – The Main Slice (3 startups x 5 minutes plus feedback)
7:00pm – Lightning Bites open mic (45-second elevator spiels)
7:15pm – Networking, conversations and connections

 

Tickets

• Free for current GC Hub members and SCU students
• $25 for non-members (or be one of the first 10 to secure an $18 early bird rate)

 

If you’re curious, building, investing, learning, or simply want to stay connected to the Gold Coast startup scene, Pitch & Pizza is your monthly touchpoint.

Come to pitch.
Come to listen.
Come to connect.
Stay for the pizza. 🍕

Build the Future of the Gold Coast

What could you create if the Gold Coast became your sandbox?

The Gold Coast Open Data Challenge is a two-day innovation sprint bringing together students, developers, AI builders, designers, entrepreneurs, and community changemakers to create bold ideas that improve life on the Gold Coast.

Hosted at Southern Cross University’s Gold Coast campus on 18-19 July 2026, the weekend combines open data, rapid prototyping, practical workshops, mentorship, and live pitching into one high-energy experience.

You do not need to be a developer to participate.

Whether you’re a coder, creative thinker, strategist, communicator, designer, founder, researcher, or simply someone passionate about the future of the city – there’s a place for you here.

Participants will work individually or in teams to develop apps, AI tools, digital concepts, campaigns, startup ideas, or policy proposals that respond to real community challenges.

Challenge Areas

1. Transportation & Mobility
2. Environmental Conservation
3. Disaster Resilience
4. Tourism & Visitor Experience
5. Youth & Student Life
6. Neighbourhood Services
7. Planning & Liveability
8. Wildcard Civic Innovation

You can tackle one of the official challenge tracks or pitch your own idea.

Throughout the weekend, participants will gain access to expert mentors, practical workshops, networking opportunities, and collaborative build sessions designed to help teams move from concept to prototype fast.

While the agenda may change in the lead-up to the event, to give you an idea of how the weekend will run, please find a draft agenda following:

 

Event Structure (subject to change)

Day 1 — Saturday 18 July

8:00–9:00am Registration, open networking and snack station in the outdoor marquee.

9:00–9:30am Opening address in Building C lecture theatre: welcome from GC Hub (Josh Smith), SCU (Dr John Haw), City representative (Tim Harding)

9:30–10:00am Challenge and prize reveal. Invitation into GC Hub Slack platform to aid communication through event.

10:00–10:30am Workshop 1 (Tim Harding, City of Gold Coast): Navigating City of Gold Coast open data and picking a problem

10:30–11:00am Team formation / challenge selection. Team members introduce themselves to one another to highlight individual strengths and interests.

11:00-12:00pm Brainstorming and ideation. Decide on what tools to utilise.

12:00–1:00pm Lunch + open networking and more brainstorming

1:00–2:00pm Workshop 2 (Libin Joseph, AlphaTales): Rapid app prototyping with a vibe-coding / cloud stack

2:00–3:00pm Build sprint 1

2:30–3:00pm Mentor checkpoint 1 (every team must be ready to articulate user, problem, data source, and prototype plan)

3:00–5:00pm Build sprint 2 + roaming mentors

5:00–5:15pm Daily wrap, community shout-outs, guide to using Slack for optional evening hacking

Day 2 — Sunday 19 July

8:30–9:00am Restart in the Marquee, including quick check-in, Q&A, and morning snacks.

9:00-12:00pm Build sprint 3 + roaming mentors to review progress

12:00–1:00pm Lunch + open networking

1:00–1:45pm Workshop 3 (Antonio Moreira, Brand Gold Coast): Using a storytelling structure to pitch a civic solution in 3 minutes

1:45–2:30pm Mentor checkpoint 2 (every team must reveal their MVP and draft presentation slides to mentor for last-minute feedback and positioning suggestions)

2:30–3:00pm Submission deadline prep, demo recording, slide lock

3:00pm Slides provided to Event Manager

3:00-3:30pm: Teams refine their MVPs and practice their presentations.

3:45–5:00pm Pitch event and judging.

5:00–5:30pm Closing ceremony, award presentation, next-step invitations, social media photos.

 

Inclusions

Your $20 registration includes:

• Lunch, drinks and snacks across both days
• All workshops and mentoring sessions
• Free parking at the venue
• The opportunity to win prizes provided by challenge sponsors.

Event Details

📍 Southern Cross University – Gold Coast Campus, Bilinga
📅 Saturday 18 July – Sunday 19 July 2026
🎟️ $20 Registration (free for current GC Hub Networking Members)

Don’t miss this chance to meet ambitious people, experiment with emerging technology, build portfolio-worthy projects, and contribute ideas that could genuinely shape the future of the Gold Coast.

Come for the weekend.
Leave with something real.

Mindset Mastery Brunch for Female Founders & Leaders

Tuesday, July 7 @ Southern Cross Uni

Connect, collaborate, and don’t forget to breathe. 😌

 

We’re back in the plush, Level 4 Event space at Southern Cross University!

Drawing some lessons from our most recent Brunch, this event will deliver smoother tech, a more streamlined agenda, and the same positive, collaborative vibes that guests have come to expect from this empowering event series.

We’re continuing a format based around one founder’s inspirational story, and a mini-workshop delivered by the same speaker. That way, attendees are having fun, building relationships, and yet also walking away with a practical outcome to add value to their professional lives.

With that in mind, the guest presenter for the July Brunch event is the incredible Meghan Jarvis!

 

Few people embody high performance quite like Meghan Jarvis. A former Australian Ninja Warrior, world-class BMX racer, professional basketball player, entrepreneur and seven-figure business owner, Meghan has built an extraordinary career at the intersection of mindset, health and business success.

As co-founder of the Million Women Movement, and founder and CEO of WellCorp Health and Wellness, Meghan has worked with elite athletes, business leaders and international entertainment icons including Iron Maiden, Kylie Minogue and Pearl Jam. Drawing on her experience as an athlete, educator and performance coach, Meghan helps people unlock their potential, build resilience and achieve extraordinary results. Prepare for an energetic, insightful and inspiring session from someone who truly lives and breathes peak performance.

After sharing her story, Meghan will guide the group through a mini-workshop incorporating breathwork, focus and mindset mastery. You’ll walk away feeling great, with actionable tips to help clarify your frame of mind.

 

✨ What you’ll gain:

• Tips for improving your focus and performance
• Improved control over your breathing and mind-body alignment
• Genuine connections with like-minded women
• Inspiration to start the new financial year feeling empowered and supported

🥂 Naturally, brunch and refreshments are included.

👩‍💼 The event is open to all, though the content will particularly resonate with female founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, leaders, creatives, and students.

 

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling something meaningful, this is your invitation to grow through clarity, confidence and connection.

 

DOOR PRIZES & GIFT BAGS 🛍

Everyone goes into the draw to win one of our famously donated female founder door prizes. 🎁

Plus, our gift bags are a hit, and you’re invited to add to them! These provide a handy way for our guests and speakers to promote their businesses to one another. If you wish to have some material included within these bags, feel free to bring along approximately 40 small promotional items from your business to place into the bags on arrival.

We love sharing: gift vouchers // membership offers // coupon codes // discounted event or workshop tickets. Why not create a special “Brunch” promotion to drive your sales further? 🏷️💃🏻

 

—–

Attire: Dressy Casual

Date: Tuesday 7 July

Time: 10am – noon

Catering:

• Complimentary mocktail on arrival
• Light snacks
• Complimentary tea/coffee/juice/water

Venue:

Southern Cross University, Gold Coast Campus, Bilinga, QLD (next to the GC Airport)

Building A – Level 4.

 

What better way to spend the morning than surrounded by passionate entrepreneurs? We look forward to seeing you at Brunch Like A Boss on Tuesday 7 July! 🌺

Connect your startup with creative, capable students – without the guesswork.

Join us for a free, in-person workshop led by Sharon Hunneybell, designed to help startups, scaleups, and industry partners create student projects that deliver real business value to you, and real-world experiences for student groups. You’ll learn how to scope achievable 12-week projects that align with your business needs, while tapping into current technologies, and emerging industry trends.

This workshop will give you practical tools to confidently engage students in ways that support innovation, test ideas, and drive growth – for your business and for the next generation of talent.

 

In-Person Workshop – Monday 22 June (2pm – 3pm)
Scope Student Projects That Deliver Real Value

Design and manage industry projects students can complete in 12 weeks

 

This workshop focuses on how to scope effective industry projects that students can realistically deliver within a 12-week period. We’ll cover how to shape projects that balance ambition with practicality, while delivering value to the student, the university, and the business. The session will explore how to define clear goals, set milestones, track progress, and manage projects as they evolve. The emphasis is on creating projects that help businesses build or test an MVP, extend existing technology, or explore new ideas in a structured and manageable way.

What you’ll learn:
• How to scope projects that fit a 12-week timeframe
• How to define clear deliverables and milestones
• How to benchmark progress and recognise when a project is on or off track
• How to manage and support student projects effectively

What you’ll get out of it:
• Practical tools and templates for project scoping and management
• Greater confidence hosting student projects
• Stronger outcomes for your business and the students involved

 

How do I attend?

Registrations are required, but this event is free. Once registered, join us in-person at the GC Innovation Hub (Ground Floor, Building A, Southern Cross University campus, Bilinga, QLD). On-site parking is free and plentiful. See you there!

 

Where ideas get tested, connections get made, and the Gold Coast startup community shows up

Pitch & Pizza is the Gold Coast Innovation Hub’s monthly pitch night, in support of local startup founders. 📣🍕

Now held in our home at Southern Cross University, this is a relaxed, high-value evening for founders, final-year students, investors and ecosystem supporters who want to hear fresh ideas, give real feedback, and be part of what’s next on the Gold Coast.

No beer taps. No pressure. Just great ideas, honest conversations, plenty of pizza and soft drinks, plus a room full of people who care about building things that matter.

Whether you’re:

• a founder or researcher refining your pitch before meeting with investors
• a student testing a startup idea for the first time
• an investor or mentor looking for early signals
• or a supporter who loves being close to emerging talent

this evening event is for you.

 

What to expect:

🌟 The Main Slice
Each month, up to three startup founders or researchers will deliver a short pitch (max 5 minutes) and receive constructive feedback from the room. This is a safe, supportive environment to sharpen your story and stress-test your idea. Pitch spots are limited and must be applied for ahead of time. CLICK HERE TO APPLY

🔥 Lightning Bites
Got 60 seconds? Step up, grab the mic, and pitch your idea, problem, or ask. Whether you’re looking for feedback, collaborators, customers or confidence, this is your moment.

🤝 Pizza and Possibilities
No forced networking. Just genuine conversations with founders, students, investors, mentors and ecosystem builders over pizza and soft drinks.

 

Agenda

5:30pm – Doors open, pizza served, informal networking
6:00pm – The Main Slice (3 startups x 5 minutes plus feedback)
7:00pm – Lightning Bites open mic (60-second pitches)
7:15pm – Networking, conversations and connections

 

Tickets

• Free for current GC Hub members and SCU students
• $25 for non-members (or be one of the first 10 to secure an $18 early bird rate)

 

If you’re curious, building, investing, learning, or simply want to stay connected to the Gold Coast startup scene, Pitch & Pizza is your monthly touchpoint.

Come to pitch.
Come to listen.
Come to connect.
Stay for the pizza. 🍕

Where ideas get tested, connections get made, and the Gold Coast startup community shows up

Pitch & Pizza is the Gold Coast Innovation Hub’s monthly pitch night, reimagined for 2026. 📣🍕

Now held in our home at Southern Cross University, this is a relaxed, high-value evening for startup founders, final-year students, investors and ecosystem supporters who want to hear fresh ideas, give real feedback, and be part of what’s next on the Gold Coast.

No beer taps. No pressure. Just great ideas, honest conversations, plenty of pizza and soft drinks, plus a room full of people who care about building things that matter.

Whether you’re:

• a founder or researcher refining your pitch before meeting with investors
• a student testing a startup idea for the first time
• an investor or mentor looking for early signals
• or a supporter who loves being close to emerging talent

this evening event is for you.

 

What to expect:

🌟 The Main Slice
Each month, up to three startup founders or researchers will deliver a short pitch (max 5 minutes) and receive constructive feedback from the room. This is a safe, supportive environment to sharpen your story and stress-test your idea. Pitch spots are limited and must be applied for ahead of time. CLICK HERE TO APPLY

🔥 Lightning Bites
Got 60 seconds? Step up, grab the mic, and pitch your idea, problem, or ask. Whether you’re looking for feedback, collaborators, customers or confidence, this is your moment.

🤝 Pizza and Possibilities
No forced networking. Just genuine conversations with founders, students, investors, mentors and ecosystem builders over pizza and soft drinks.

 

Agenda

5:30pm – Doors open, pizza served, informal networking
6:00pm – The Main Slice (3 startups x 5 minutes plus feedback)
7:00pm – Lightning Bites open mic (60-second pitches)
7:15pm – Networking, conversations and connections

 

Tickets

• Free for current GC Hub members and SCU students
• $25 for non-members (or be one of the first 10 to secure an $18 early bird rate)

 

If you’re curious, building, investing, learning, or simply want to stay connected to the Gold Coast startup scene, Pitch & Pizza is your monthly touchpoint.

Come to pitch.
Come to listen.
Come to connect.
Stay for the pizza. 🍕