The first Innovate Parramatta: Parramatta Startup Forum event took place in Parramatta Square on 10 June 2021 and brought together business and tech industry leaders, investors and representatives from the education sector and government agencies, so they could connect with emerging startups and offer them support and advice.

Hosted by City of Parramatta Council and joined by partners NSW Treasury, Launch Pad, Grounded Space, AusIndustry and Spark Festival, attendees learned about how startups and entrepreneurs are being supported to start and grow in Parramatta, and how record investment in new infrastructure is transforming Parramatta into a leading centre of innovation.

The fantastic line-up of speakers included Michelle Long, Associate Director of the Sydney Startup Hub; Stephan Wagner, Regional Manager Western Sydney at AusIndustry; Peter James Doueihi, Managing Director of Grounded Space; Jamie Pride, Chief Entrepreneur in Residence at Launch Pad; and Maxine Sherrin, Festival Director of Spark Festival.

The event also featured two local startups, Dr Belinda Chapman from Quantal Bioscience and James Worsfold from KartaSoft who shared their experiences of achieving success in Parramatta.

This is an exciting space in Parramatta as the City’s incubators, businesses and universities are driving the growth of the local entrepreneurial community, and creating new opportunities for the City’s emerging tech and innovation-driven businesses.